I saw a lot of positive buzz from Mets fans yesterday that Josh Thole is going to get a chance to win the Mets catching job. The New York Daily News picks up the story:

Now, Thole is vying to become the Mets’ No. 1 catcher. Still, the organizational preference is for the rookie to get more seasoning at Triple-A while being mentored by ex-Phillie Chris Coste. The hope is for Omir Santos to emerge as the regular backstop with Henry Blanco his backup. Ex-Rays catcher Shawn Riggans also will be in camp.

Thole’s ability to hit for average is unquestioned. The issue is that he is a work in progress behind the plate. After getting drafted in the 13th round five years ago, Thole mostly played first base. He didn’t regularly catch until May of 2008.

In fact, Thole acknowledged, two years ago he couldn’t foresee being in this big-league position now.

“No chance,” the 23-year-old Thole said. “If you would have told me that, I would have said, ‘I hope that’s an opportunity that comes up.’ But did I think that? Probably not.”

So Thole’s defense is a bit suspect, but he does a great job getting on base. His minor league slash line stands at .291/.379/.375, so he doesn’t hit for power. That’s why his offense isn’t valuable at first base but great as a catcher. If he can show in the spring that he can handle himself behind the plate, the Mets should bring him north in April.