Now in Cleveland, Mike Zunino knows the stress Guardians put on catchers
Apr. 8—Mike Zunino was a rookie catcher with the Seattle Mariners in 2013, which happened to be the same year Terry Francona started managing the Indians.
Zunino played six seasons with the Mariners and then four with the Tampa Bay Rays before signing a one-year, $6 million contract with the Guardians for the 2023 season.
In his previous two jobs, Zunino had to prepare for the Indians/Guardians six or seven times a season, depending on how the schedule fell, even if he wasn't the starting catcher that particular day because he might have been called upon to play at any moment. He has nothing against the Mariners or Rays, but he is happy to be in the dugout of the team with the calling card of running the bases aggressively instead of facing it.
"When you played against them, you knew what you were going to get," Zunino said April 7 before the home opener against the Mariners. "We're running hard nineties (90 feet between bases), we're stealing bases, we're doing that stuff. So as an opponent, you're preparing for all of these things. You know it's going to be there. You just don't know when it's going to happen. You don't know who they're going to try to exploit running. You don't know when that first to third opportunity comes.
"That style of play puts almost an anxiety on the defense. So it's one of those things where being on this side now, seeing how it happens, seeing how it can translate into runs or putting guys in better positions in the (batter's) box, having runners in scoring position, it's a huge opportunity and it gives us more opportunities to win."
The Guardians are the youngest team in the majors for the second straight season with an average age of 27 years, 15 days as of opening day on March 30, according to Stats LLC. Zunino, 32, is the oldest player on the roster.
Zunino has been impressed by the dedication he sees from his young teammates. He said it is a reflection of the leadership shown by Francona.
"Obviously not being a part of that (2022) team, but you can tell when young players gain confidence," Zunino said. "Interest continues to grow and seeing what they did last year, seeing what they're doing now, seeing these guys putting time in in the weight room, in the batting cage, watching film — these kids, whether they're young or older, are continuing to grow and I think that's what the great teams do.
"We don't settle for a series win or a win. We're continuing to always grow. I've said this before. I mean these are building blocks to the ultimate goal of getting to October. We're going to take our bumps and bruises, but I think when you have a tight-knit group like this, it makes it easier."
Opponents have stolen three bases on Zunino in five games. He has thrown out one would-be thief. Seven wild pitches have gotten by him already. Fifteen got past him in 35 games with the Rays last season.
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