DENVER -- Australian catcher Robbie Perkins' defensive leadership began to match his notable throwing arm last year at Class A Asheville. His confidence can only grow when he suits up for Australia in the World Baseball Classic qualifying round Feb. 11-14 at Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney, Australia.
In 40 games last year, Perkins threw out 31-of-76 (40.8 percent) would-be basestealers in his first full Minor League season. Granted, stolen-base attempts in the low Minors can be astronomical compared to the Majors, but among Major League catchers who appeared in at least 100 games last year, just three -- the Blue Jays' Russell Martin, the Nationals' Wilson Ramos and the Cardinals' Yadier Molina -- had a higher percentage than Perkins.