Oliveros is quite a catch--Sixers' catcher is exceeding expectations at the plate early this season.
sbsun.com By MICHELLE GARDNER, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO - Steve Roadcap knows what he wants out of a catcher.
The manager of the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino was a catcher in his playing days and he served as the Seattle Mariners roving catching instructor before being named the skipper.
Luis Oliveros has more than fit the bill. Not only has he played well defensively and called a good game behind the plate, he has established himself as one of the California League's top hitters.
Oliveros went 2-for-3 on Friday in helping the Sixers (10-10) to a 3-1 victory over the visiting San Jose Giants in front of a crowd of 3,425 at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.
"I told the catchers before the season started I didn't want them to worry about offense because the hitting would come,' Roadcap said. "I wanted their primary focus on defense and calling the game for the pitcher. It is early, but he has certainly surpassed our expectations. His hitting has been a bonus.'
Oliveros, 19, did not even begin the season as the club's starting catcher. He opened the 2003 campaign as the backup to Chris Collins but has been the workhorse since Collins sustained a shoulder injury in an April 13 collision at home plate. Oliveros has started 10-of-11 games since then and is batting .432 in that stretch.
The native of Guatire, Venezuela, leads the Sixers with eight multiple-hit games and is batting .386, seventh-best in the league.
Oliveros has struck out only four times in 57 at-bats and has hit safely in 13 of his 15 games.
"Before the season, I liked to think I had a No. 1 catcher and a 1-A,' Roadcap said. "The opportunity has presented itself for (Oliveros) to get the playing time and he has taken advantage of it. At this point he deserves to be the guy.'
Oliveros chalks up much of his success early to the work he put in during the offseason. He competed with major-leaguers in the Venezuelan League, playing on a team that featured the likes of Bobby Abreau (Phillies), Alex Gonzalez (Marlins), Ugeth Urbina (Rangers) and Henry Blanco (Braves).
Blanco, Atlanta's backup catcher, became Oliveros' mentor. They talk almost every day, with Oliveros sometimes calling Blanco as early as 4 a.m. EDT.
"Playing in Venezuela really helped my confidence,' Oliveros said. "I was playing with major-league players who are where I want to be some day. It has helped my concentration now.'
Although Oliveros has had the opportunity to rub elbows with major-leaguers, his real role model is his older brother Harry Guanchez, who climbed as high as Double-A in the Kansas City Royals organization. Oliveros has three other brothers who also played.
"He always worked hard,' said Oliveros of Guanchez. "That's why I look up to him.'
Oliveros' strong start is following last season, which did not go as well.
After hitting over .300 his first two years in professional ball, Oliveros hit just .229 last year at Low-A Wisconsin.
His hitting coach suggested a change in his approach but Oliveros never was comfortable. This year, he went back to what worked previously.
"I tried it, and it just didn't work for me,' he said.
The catcher shares an apartment with pitcher Emiliano Fruto and infielders Eddie Menchaca and Ismael Castro. The players enjoy cooking, something not typical of minor-league players.
"He doesn't worry as much about hitting as he does defense,' Menchaca said. "The most satisfying thing for him is for the pitcher to get the win. He is a great guy to be around.'
66ers notes
Sixers manager Steve Roadcap juggled his starting rotation as Ryan Ketchner has replaced Emiliano Fruto, although Fruto might pitch Sunday because scheduled starter bf>Juan Done has been sore since his outing Tuesday at High Desert.
Ketchner (3-0) responded well in his first start, allowing one run in five innings with seven strikeouts. He gave up five hits and did not walk a batter.
Greg Jacobs stroked a two-out two-run triple in the third that gave the Sixers a 2-1 lead. John Williamson added a run-scoring single in the fourth and had the defensive play of the game, making a diving catch of a sinking liner off the bat of Angel Chavez in the fourth.
Troy Cate (0-2, 4.80) will start at 6:05
tonight against the Giants (7-13) who will counter with Ryan Hannaman (2-0, 3.18), the organization's No. 8 prospect. Tonight's game will feature appearances by the Lakers girls and the Sixers dance team and post-game fireworks. Eight used cars will also be given away between innings.