Stanford’s opening match against UC-Davis is being billed as contest between two of the best catchers in the nation: the Cardinal’s Jason Castro and the Aggies’ Jake Jeffries.

Both lead their respective teams in batting average while posting high on base and slugging percentages. Both have started every game their teams have played. And, more than that, both call games effectively and display good defense behind the plate.

While their offense is apparent throw statistics, their game management is more intangible — but is just as important. They are responsible for utilizing the strengths of a vast range of pitchers and, to a certain extent, mentoring them from 60 feet away. Castro in particular has been credited with aiding the development of the Cardinal’s young pitching staff.

“I work closely with pitching coach Jeff Austin to exploit holes in different situations,” said Castro, a junior.

For their efforts in all facets of the game, Jeffries was named co-Big West Player of the Year, and Castro was selected as one of 12 semifinalists for the Johnny Bench Award, given to the best catcher in collegiate baseball.

“Both of them are very good athletes,” said UC-Davis coach Rex Peters. “When you look at what they have accomplished and the numbers that they have produced offensively, it is pretty impressive. Jason Castro is more of power type hitter than Jake Jeffries is here. Jake is more of a line-drive, gap to gap, hit for average, type hitter. Both are very good defensively.”

Stanford coach Mark Marquess had nothing but praise for Jeffries. The junior has progressed each season but has broken out in 2008, batting close to .400 in the process.

“He’s a great player,” said Marquess. “He and Castro are two of the best catchers in baseball.”

Their performances have not only helped their squads but have opened the eyes of major league scouts as well. Castro is currently projected as a first round pick in next week’s MLB Draft, and Jeffries has been ranked amongst the top 100 prospects by various scouting services.

“[They] have drawn a lot of interest from scouts this year,” said Peters.

But the accolades and projections haven’t fazed Castro — his focus is solely on the College Baseball Championships.

“That can take care of itself when it does,” he said.

For now, he is Stanford’s catcher and field leader, and he and his UC-Davis counterpart will be major players in their team’s success this weekend and beyond.