ALTOONA, Pa. -- Coming to a new organization is difficult for any player whether it be a pitcher or position player, but nothing is as daunting as what a catcher goes through to having to learn an entire new pitching staff on top of signs, plays and teammates. Catcher Carter Bins who came to the Pirates' organization at the trade deadline was no different.
What was different, though, is Altoona Curve manager Miguel Perez knows a thing or two about the catching position having spent 13 seasons in the minors including a brief stint in the Majors with Cincinnati in 2005. That being said, Perez knew exactly what Bins needed to succeed right of the bat: a chance to sit back and watch.
"Miggy was really good with me," Bins said. "He let me kind of sit out the first couple of games get to get a grasp of our pitchers and catch some bullpens. But it took me about a week to really figure out what the pitcher's tendencies are and what they what they like to do in the game."
The opportunity to just sit back and observe helped Bins gain control of his situation with the Curve as being sent from Arkansas to Altoona can take a toll on someone.
"At first, my head was spinning a lot, but I kind of got my feet underneath me, Bins said. "And I'm happy to be here now."
It also helped Bins become a better student of the game as he got to talk with pitchers and players he normally wouldn't get a chance to talk to if he was in the lineup.
"I'd try talking with them in between innings whenever I could," Bins said. I know that when they're on the mound, starting or somebody coming in relief, I don't really talk to them, but just talking to the guys on the bench and figuring out how they like to pitch guys how they would pitch with somebody in the box."
That's the type of valuable experience catchers need as they develop over the course of time and look to perfect their craft. What made it easier on Perez is Bins' attitude and desire to learn have never been questioned.
"He's actually pretty good behind the plate and has a pretty good idea what he's doing with the fingers and he has a great viewpoint of the game so it wasn't as hard as we thought it would be," Perez said.
Though he's struggling, Bins started out the season in High A before being promoted to Double A in early July and then being traded at the end of July. Bins is currently slashing .196/.293/.245 and has appeared in 14 games for Altoona thus far.
The biggest thing Bins adds to the Pirates' organization right now is depth at the catcher position which now boast first overall pick Henry Davis and more. His ceiling seems to be another defense only guy, but a growth spurt offensively could go a long way in getting called up.
• Greensboro's Quinn Priester was named the High A East pitcher of the week for his performance last week that you can find right here. Priester has gotten stronger with each start following his first two outings of the season and is now 6-3 with a 2.86 ERA.
• The Altoona lineup is loaded from the top to the bottom giving Perez a multitude of options for game days. With the hitters in this lineup it's easy to see why they might take their bats out and use them as weapons.
"I use one through nine when I'm making the lineup is because I really truly believe that this thing is going to be the best team. Now we have guys that they're going to impact the game at a higher level moving forward, it's a good problem to have. I think the organization is doing such a great job with all the prospect that we have, and yes, it's hard, it's a challenge to make the lineup."
• Po-Yu Chen made his first appearance as a member of the Bradenton Mauraders and only lasted 2.2 innings with 2 hits, 2 walks, 2 hit batters, and a wild pitch. Chen was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pirates in 2020 and played in the complex league until being promoted earlier this week.
OFFICIAL LINKS
• Affiliate scores
• Indianapolis
• Altoona
• Greensboro
• Bradenton
YOUR TURN: We'd love to hear from you, too, especially if you make it out to see any of these prospects and affiliates play. Feel free to file your own original scouting reports and other observations in comments.