CHARLESTON, WV – The brightest star on West Virginia’s roster this season is, undoubtedly, Stephen Alemais, the human highlight reel, but as Tim Williams wrote at the beginning of the season, pitcher Luis Escobar (who has 23 strikeouts in 11 innings) has the potential to climb onto the breakout stage. Oddy Nunez and James Marvel, also starting pitchers, might not be far behind. However, in order for these few to achieve their full potential and move up the ladder, they’ll have to rely on the man behind the plate: Arden Pabst.
Pabst won’t be found on any top tens (or even top 100s). His offensive potential leaves something to be desired in spite of newfound power. That said, his ability to manage in-game situations and coach pitchers through trouble spots could determine his future and his usefulness to the franchise as a whole.
As the starting catcher in West Virginia, Pabst is in good hands. First-year Power manager Wyatt Toregas spent eight seasons in the Cleveland Indians’ and Pittsburgh Pirates’ system as a catcher.
“Having Wyatt, having a guy like that to talk to in the dugout, to go over games with, it’s a big advantage for me,” Pabst said.
The pair teamed up last year in Morgantown so their relationship features an ease and understanding based in mutual respect.
“He’s smart,” commented Toregas. “I can tell him things one time, normally, and he gets it.”
Their work has paid dividends across the board this season. Pabst’s game calling and offense have kept West Virginia in games despite their lack of talent, and his strong suits (defense and arm strength) have been tested and proven.
Game Management
The step from short-season to full-season ball can be taxing physically and psychologically, but the real challenge for a battery is the plate discipline of advanced batters. In Low-A ball, hitters sit on the fastball so pitchers have to adjust through the use of their breaking pitches, which are often still in development. The winner of at-bats usually depends on which player adapts best, and Pabst, behind the plate, plans those adaptations.
“There are certain situations where we want to go outside the norm of what we do,” explained Toregas. “That’s the time where it pays to have a little imagination and see an at-bat three pitches before.”
The combination of preparation and creativity has impressed the pitching and coaching staff. Despite the Power’s 1-7 record, in games with Pabst behind the plate, the staff has a 3.17 ERA. (I omitted the four earned runs off of utility infielder Logan Ratledge in the 11th inning on April 10 because there’s only so much help a catcher can be to a position player thrust into a relief role.)
Pabst got the opening day start and helped James Marvel to five scoreless innings. After the game, Marvel spoke highly of his battery-mate.
“Pabst and I had a good game plan,” he said. “We said, ‘Let’s be aggressive and attack the bottom of the zone with everything.’”
Their strategy led to six strikeouts, one shy of Marvel’s career best.
Pabst’s game management ability became apparent when he worked with Matt Anderson in Anderson’s first start of 2017 on April 11. Anderson’s slider wasn’t hitting the zone in the early innings so Pabst made an adjustment: he started calling more curveballs.
“[The slider has] a shorter break, and [Anderson] was a little out in front with it,” explained Toregas. “So a lot of times when that’s happening you can throw your curveball, and it’ll actually work well.”
Prior to the shift, Anderson allowed three runs (partially due to walks and a wild pitch). After the change in strategy, Anderson allowed two hits, worked a crucial double play, and struck out four.
Pabst helped his starter out even further in that game by smacking his first career home run, a two-run dinger to tie the ballgame. A possible sign of things to come.
Offense
Pabst’s offense has always been the weak point of his game, but early indicators point to a change in his approach at the plate. Through his first seven games this year, his slash line stands at .272/.272/.409. He’s already halfway to matching his 2016 mark in doubles (2), but his strikeout rate continues to be troublesome (five Ks in 22 at-bats without any walks).
Pabst will need to develop better plate patience to merit a place in the upper levels of the Pirates system, but manager Toregas isn’t concerned with Pabst’s approach so far.
“He’s doing an excellent job of swinging through a pitch and not getting timid afterwards,” said Toregas. “I remember playing in this league. I hit .230 in this league, and I swung at every slider everybody threw in the dirt out front because I thought they were going to throw fastballs.”
For now, Pabst is comfortable playing small ball and relying on teammates to provide the pop.
“I’m looking to be an asset offensively,” he said. “And let Trae [Arbet, who recently crushed two homers in one game] hit dingers behind me.”
Defense
The Pirates drafted Pabst in the 12th round of the 2016 draft mostly because of his defensive ability and his strong arm. He threw out 44 percent of base runners in his final season of college ball and 28 percent of would-be base stealers with Morgantown. So far, Pabst has nailed 25 percent of base runners with the Power.
That number, however, should be higher. The Power have been perpetrators of appalling miscues across the board, and Pabst hasn’t seemed in sync with the middle infielders so far this year. Twice during the opening home stand, Pabst sailed the throw into centerfield, allowing the base runner to advance to third because the coverage hasn’t been in place in time to field the throw.
Pabst is looking for more opportunities to show his stuff.
“I hope guys steal on me because that gives me more opportunity to throw guys out,” he said after the Asheville Tourists stole six bases against him in two games.
If Arden Pabst wants to advance through the minor leagues, he’ll need to shore up each of these three areas. Luckily, his path through to the higher levels, if he manages to improve his game management, offense, and defense, does not present many obstacles.
For now, though, Pabst’s biggest responsibility is caring for the development of this year’s biggest breakout candidates while keeping an eye on his own progress as a prospect.
