Durango grad catches on with Expos

Danny Kahr may not have been recognized by area baseball coaches this season, but the switch-hitting catcher from Durango made Major League Baseball take notice.

Kahr, who wasn't named to the all-Southern Nevada or all-Sunset Region squads this year, recently signed with the Montreal Expos, who drafted the 6-foot, 3-inch, 175-pounder in the 12th round.

Trailblazers coach Mike Gomez said the pick was all about potential.

"Danny's just barely scratched the surface of his potential," Gomez said. "From a pro standpoint, they look at the potential in him. They see his big size and that he can only get bigger and stronger. I'm sure they're envisioning him at 215 pounds.

"He has to develop his hitting, but he's got all the potential and all the tools he needs to be successful. Defensively, he's not that far away from playing triple-A and pro ball."

Kahr, who hit close to .400 this season and had six home runs and 39 RBIs, was en route to the Expos' rookie ball team in the Gulf Coast League in Jupiter, Fl., less than 24 hours after graduating from high school.

"I'm happy to get the opportunity to sign and go play. That's all I've ever wanted to do," Kahr said. "I'm happy being with the Expos. It's a great opportunity for advancement. They have a real good player development system and I was their first catcher taken, so that's a good sign. I'll be their No. 1 prospect down there."

Kahr said he hopes to move up quickly through the minor leagues.

"I'd like to have a good season in the Gulf Coast League (this summer) and then play in the instructional league they have (in the fall). I just want to kind of get settled into the organization and have everyone know my name," he said. "Hopefully I can advance a level a year and, hopefully, catch in the big leagues."

Kahr, who only caught one-third of Durango's junior varsity games as a freshman before blossoming into an everyday starter on varsity, said his best is yet to come.

"I think (you'll see) my most improvement is still in the future," he said. "I'm excited just to get better and better at baseball every day. I need to improve everywhere to catch in the big leagues, but I think I have a good upside and potential I need to tap into."

Kahr said it didn't bother him that he didn't receive any honors at Durango.

"It's really just the coaches' votes. It's not a big deal to me," he said. "I never got a lot of attention as far as that stuff goes."

Kahr, who graduated with a 3.5 grade-point average, attracted the attention of several Division I schools, including the University of California, Irvine, which he signed with in November.

"I was really excited about that. It was definitely a win-win situation," said Kahr, whose contract included tuition for college. "But (pro ball) was the desire in my heart. It's all I've ever wanted to do -- have my shot to play pro ball. I'm going to work hard to catch some breaks and hopefully I'll catch pro ball one day."