Almost any production behind the plate will be an improvement over 2008.

Padres catchers hit a collective .202 last season with 22 doubles, nine homers and 56 RBI. In addition, the catchers, with some assistance from Padres pitchers who struggled holding runners, threw out only 17.2 percent of the 203 runners who tried to steal.

It was Hundley, 25, who raised the curve both at the plate and behind it.

In 60 games after being promoted from Triple-A Portland, Hundley hit .237 with five homers and 24 RBI – meaning the other four catchers hit a collective .184 with four homers and 32 RBI in 381 at-bats.

Plus, Hundley threw out 23.6 percent of the runners he faced – the rest only 14.9 percent