No joke, Carlin's time has arrived

By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Thursday, February 22, 2007 11:02 PM PST ∞

San Diego Padres' Luke Carlin, Rob Bowen, Josh Bard and Pete Laforest, from left, sprint during a drill at baseball spring training Thursday in Peoria, Ariz. Thursday was the first day of full squad workouts for the Padres.
Associated Press
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PEORIA, Ariz. ---- Catcher Luke Carlin made all kinds of adjustments to his swing this past year.

On Thursday, the nonroster invitee made another change ---- reluctantly ---- when he was elevated on the Padres' depth chart due to Todd Greene's injury. Greene dislocated his right (throwing) shoulder Wednesday and will likely miss spring training.

Carlin will see more playing time, according to manager Bud Black. But the 26-year-old backup was more concerned with what he had lost rather than what he had gained.

"What happened to Greeney was unfortunate," Carlin said. "I never knew him before this spring, but the week I knew him, he helped me a lot. To lose a guy like that, it doesn't just hurt the club it hurts me because I can learn a lot from (him)."

Carlin has done a lot of learning recently.

Grady Fuson, the club's vice president of scouting and player development, said Carlin ---- Detroit's 10th-round selection in the 2002 draft ---- had the defensive skills. Now he's developing his offensive approach.

"I think the thing he did last year that was most noticeable was that he really took to what we're trying to stress in our hitting program," Fuson said. "(That's) being more disciplined and really bearing down and looking for a good pitch to hit. He really didn't hit any better last year as far as his average, but his on-base percentage was doubled."

Carlin hit .266 at Triple-A Portland in 73 games. More important, though, was his .392 on-base percentage in a career-high 293 plate appearances. Those numbers rose from a .257 average and .356 OBP in 2005 in 265 appearances.

He credits hitting instructors Jose Castro and Rob Deer and roommate Paul McAnulty for helping him.

"Basically, they wanted me to hit," Carlin said. "I've never really proven myself as a hitter here. Ever since the change from college to pro baseball, I've needed to make a lot of adjustments. I've never got the at-bats to do that. I'm a fairly young hitter in terms of experience. For me, visually and mentally, it's night and day."

Carlin's strong suit is his gift of gab.

The way Carlin is relating to the pitchers isn't unnoticed. Carlin said being on the same page with pitchers has come naturally to him ever since he began catching at Boston's Northeastern University.

"You want your pitchers to want to throw to you," Carlin said. "It's a matter of coming to an understanding. Communicating is the biggest part, and Buddy wants us to do that."

Black is paying attention. In a week's time, Carlin has caught his eye.

"I like the way he receives the ball," Black said. "He looks to have nice hands. And I like the pitcher-catcher communication (with him). He's taken that well, talking with the pitchers."

And Carlin is an even better listener. On the first day of spring training, Carlin sat with Greene in the clubhouse, picking his brain. Carlin has done the same with other experienced catchers, as well as hitters like McAnulty.

Carlin said he's always trying to learn.

"I've definitely been receptive," Carlin said. "Everybody here makes adjustments. It's whether you make them quick enough to stay alive. That's the key. Some guys make adjustments hitting a lot faster and that comes from knowing your swing. ... I've finally been able to get in a comfort zone with my swing and confident enough where I will be successful." �

-- Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com.