Kropf, Mann Hope to Catch on With Lentz Gone

Ballclubs need leadership behind the plate to win.

The Harvard baseball team probably thought it had that area covered with Brian Lentz, a 2000 All-Ivy First Teamer and arguably the most talented backstop in the league the past two years. But with Lentz away from school this year, the Crimson will look to two underclassmen to don the catcher’s gear—and the mantle of leader on the field.

Sophomore Mickey Kropf was the Crimson’s primary catcher and Opening Day starter, while freshman Schuyler Mann has received considerable playing time as Kropf’s backup.

Just a sophomore, Kropf has the charisma and the energy to lead the defense on the field.

“It’s part of my personality,” Kropf said. “The team has senior leadership, but you have to be a captain behind the plate.”

Thus far, Kropf has not been fazed by the big shoes he has to fill. In the Crimson’s first three games, Kropf, a switch-hitter, went 4 for 9 with one run batted in.

He’s hitting .316 on the season, third-best on the team.

“Mickey’s been hitting the crap out of the ball,” classmate Marc Hordon said.

Kropf saw limited action at third base last season, but is eager to show his mettle behind the plate. The 6’5 Kropf was recruited as a catcher and played games behind the plate over the summer.

Mann, for his part, is more than ready to step in to the catching role.

“I have experience,” Mann said. “I’ve been catching all my life.”

Kropf does not see any fear in the young Mann, who just turned 18 in December.

At the same time, Kropf hasn’t let the rookie get a big head, either.

“You have to understand, Schuyler Mann is one of the 15 hottest freshmen of the year,” Kropf said, referring to Fifteen Minutes’ poll last March. “He’s had extra equipment duties. We’ve tried to stick it to him a bit.”

The combination of Kropf and Mann should providce the Crimson with consistency behind the plate. Harvard is hoping that they both stay healthy, since Harvard’s in a bit of a pinch when it comes to a third-string catcher.

Junior Brent Chalmers, a former tailback on the football team who played on junior varsity baseball last year, was slated to be the team’s third catcher but he is currently out for six weeks with a broken foot.

Filling in as emergency catcher if necessary will be junior Marc Hordon, currently part of the starting rotation.

Hordon has experience behind the plate from his high school days, but should only be enlisted if absolutely necessary.

“The one thing I miss the most is catching,” Hordon said. “But the wear and tear is brutal. You won’t find anywhere in the country a guy who’s both a starting pitcher and a catcher.”

Hordon will likely give up his limited catching duties upon Chalmers’ return.

Both Kropf and Mann have solid enough bats that Harvard Coach Joe Walsh is likely to work them into the lineup even on the days when they’re not catching. Kropf has started 12 of the Crimson’s 14 games so far, while Mann has started 10.

That healthy situation has allowed the two to help each other rather than battle against one another for playing time.

“I don’t see it as competition,” Mann said. “It never felt like competition. We all try to help each other out.”

Hordon is not worried about the two youngster’s abilities to perform.

“Both of these catchers understand the talent that [Lentz] had,” Hordon said. “Their best will be at least adquate, if not stellar, compared to the other catchers in the league. [Lentz] coming back next year might create better players out of the other guys through competition.”