Doug Mirabelli

Full Name: Douglas Anthony Mirabelli

Number: 28
Position: Catcher
Born: 10-18-70
Birthplace: Kingman, AZ
Age: 36
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6-1
Weight: 220
College: Wichita State
MLB Debut: 10-27-96
Acquired: trade from the San Diego Padres for Josh Bard and Cla Meredith; signed one year, $750,00 contract on 12-15-06

2006 Statistics: .191, 6, 25, 13, 15
2007/Career Statistics & Game Log
dionnesdugout.com

Bio: came to the Red Sox in 2002. In 2003 behind Grady Little he became Tim Wakefield's personal catcher, which is a role he still has today. Signed with San Diego before the start of the 2006 season, but when current backup Josh Bard proved unable to catch Wakefield's knuckleball, Mirabelli was brought back. The Sox ended up losing Bard who is now the starting catcher in San Diego and played well for the rest of 2006 with the club, and more devasting Cla Meredith who went on to be one of the top set up men in all of baseball sporting a 1.07 ERA. Goes to show how hard it is to catch a knuckleball, which is the thing Mirabelli does best.

Projected 2007 Statistics: .200, 6, 25, 15, 15

Fantasy Outlook: each season Mirabelli gets worse and worse, but the one thing he does bring is the knowing of when he is going to play and when he isn't. If you are in a league that offers several bench spots I'd consider this: if you draft Jason Varitek to be your starting catcher, take Mirabelli as well, and put Mirabelli on the games Wakefield pitches. You'd then get the oppurtunity at least to add some homers or RBI. Especially do this if Mirabelli is set to face a lefty. Again, don't waste a bench spot on a catcher unless you've got plenty to spare.