Given Francisco Cervelli's offensive break-out the past week or so, this is really just a huge bonus. What Cervelli provides the Yankees in other ways more than cements his place in the lineup.
Last year we saw that he had excellent defensive skills with his cat-like quickness saving wild pitches in the dirt combined with laser beam throws to nail runners foolishly testing his arm. As a rookie he was not shy dealing with veteran pitchers, but rather a fiery, take-charge guy who helped elevate the intensity in an otherwise rather quiet, business-like Yankee infield. He appears to have a great relationship with his mound staff and it's evident they like throwing to him.
Cervelli can run, too. No, not the cliche', "...he runs well for a catcher." He flat out runs well and can take an extra base and put some pressure on a defense when he is on the base-paths. Add to that his ability to handle the bat at the plate, drop a sac bunt when asked...the guy is extremely valuable.
For a someone who was hitting a buck-90-something in Trenton before the Yanks summoned him from Trenton, this year is a wonderful surprise. But, again, even if he was hitting .200, he would still be a valuable cog in the Yankee machine.
He has shown the ability to stay in the moment, not to get caught up in all the hype, and show that the stage in New York and in baseball's toughest division is not too big for him. Cervelli is appreciative of where is, how he got there, and knows that every day is a new opportunity. He also knows that he has to keep working to be a great major leaguer on a daily basis.
This is not a sure-fire match, but to some degree Cervelli is a modern day version of his manager, Joe Girardi. Joe made his living by being an intense leader from his position behind he plate. He never hit for power like some other backstops around the league, but he was a valuable contributor with his defensive skills, his handling of the pitching staff, his ability to run a bit (for a catcher), and his Punch & Judy, singles/doubles hitting style. Cervelli doesn't have a lot of pop for the long ball, and neither did Joe. Joe has to see a bit of himself when he sees Cervelli in action.
Who is having more fun playing baseball than Francisco Cervelli? No one. Who is more thankful for what he has been doing to this point, Cervelli or Yankee fans? Sorry, dumb question.
