Top 45 MLB catchers: Phillies’ Realmuto, Orioles’ Rutschman lead Bowden’s rankings
Andrew Mccoy
Published Apr 07, 2026
This week pitchers and catchers are reporting to spring training and starting their workouts, and as usual, they’re arriving to camp about a week before position players (early comers aside). Everyone knows this happens because pitchers need the extra time to get their arms ready for the regular season, but what often gets lost is that catchers also need those additional days of preparation.
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Catchers have the hardest job in spring training, and it’s not even close. Most teams invite about six catchers from their major- and minor-league rosters to camp, and that group must catch all the bullpen sessions, side sessions and batting practice sessions for all of the pitchers. They must do drills to work on their footwork, blocking, throwdowns, framing and game calling — not to mention their own batting practice. They meet with their pitchers to discuss their repertoires and pitch sequencing. They study opposing hitters to get ready for the regular season.
They never seem to get the credit they deserve for having to do the most challenging work — mentally and physically — of anyone in camp. Therefore, I thought it was an appropriate time to recognize the starting catchers from all 30 teams, along with some of the backup catchers who could be starting but are blocked on the depth chart, and rank them as spring training gets underway.
Here is my breakdown of the top 45 catchers in the majors. (And here, by the way, are my picks for the top five catching prospects.) We can debate the order, of course. But try to remember, everyone on this list is a special talent.
All statistics are from 2022 unless otherwise noted. WAR stats are according to Baseball Reference. Pitch framing metrics are according to FanGraphs.
Age: 31
B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 212
WAR: 6.5
Slash line: .276/.342/.478 OPS+: 129
HR: 22 RBI: 84 SB: 21
FRM: 1.1 DRS: 11 CS: 44%
Gold Gloves: 2019, 2022
Last year Realmuto became only the second catcher in major-league history to hit 20 or more home runs and steal 20 or more bases in a single season; the only other player to do it was Hall of Famer Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. Realmuto led the majors in caught-stealing percentage (44 percent). He led the league in pop time to second base for the fourth season in a row. He finished seventh in the National League MVP voting. He is the best all-around catcher in the sport and helped lead the Phillies to an NL championship.
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Age: 24
B: B T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 220
WAR: 5.2
Slash line: .254/.362/.445 OPS+: 128
HR: 13 RBI: 42 SB: 4
FRM: 9.1 DRS: 18 CS: 31%
I gave serious consideration to putting Rutschman at No. 1 after his sensational rookie year. I’m convinced he’ll be the best overall catcher of his generation and the face of the Orioles for the next decade. He can hit for power (35 doubles and 13 homers in 398 at-bats) and is an elite defender (18 Defensive Runs Saved, second most by a catcher). He’s also a special leader.
Age: 27
B: R T: R HT: 5-10 WT: 197
WAR: 4.2
Slash line: .260/.343/.465 OPS+: 120
HR: 24 RBI: 87 SB: 1
FRM: 0.5 DRS: 7 CS: 18%
Smith can rake and has a knack for getting on base. He uses the whole field and has 25-home run power. He’s a clutch hitter who likes being up with the game on the line. Last season, he threw out only 18 percent of the runners attempting to steal, but Dodgers pitchers’ slow times to the plate hurt him. He’s thrown out 23 percent of would-be stealers in his career.
Age: 28
B: R T: R HT: 6-3 WT: 230
WAR: 3.5
Slash line: .250/.332/.426 OPS+: 120
HR: 18 RBI: 66 SB: 1
FRM: 8.7 DRS: 1 CS: 31%
Gold Glove: 2021
The Braves already had Travis d’Arnaud, but since he’ll likely be a free agent after this season, they couldn’t resist trading for Murphy, giving them two top-10 catchers, which is rare. Murphy is an elite defensive catcher who excels at game calling and shutting down the running game. He agreed to a six-year, $73 million contract extension with the Braves in December.
Age: 32
B: R T: R HT: 6-3 WT: 260
WAR: 2.7
Slash line: .254/.292/.465 OPS+: 110
HR: 23 RBI: 76 SB: 0
FRM: -12.6 DRS: -4 CS: 34%
Gold Gloves: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
Perez, a five-time Gold Glove Award winner, was at the top of this list for years. His best offensive season was in 2021, when he led the American League in home runs (48) and RBIs (121) and finished seventh in the MVP voting. Perez had surgery on his left thumb in June and was limited to 114 games last season (and just 76 at catcher). However, he still managed to hit 23 homers and drive in 76 runs.
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Age: 30
B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 223
WAR: 3.9
Slash line: .243/.349/.466 OPS+: 128
HR: 22 RBI: 55 SB: 4
FRM: -3.5 DRS: -1 CS: 31%
Contreras signed a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the Cardinals, who needed to replace future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina after he retired. Considered more of an offensive catcher, Contreras has 20-home run power and a career on-base percentage of .349. The three-time All-Star has a strong arm but is not known for his handling of pitchers. He does bring energy and enthusiasm to the ballpark every day, and that rubs off on his teammates.
Age: 24
B: R T: R HT: 5-8 WT: 247
WAR: 3.9
Slash line: .285/.372/.415 OPS+: 126
HR: 14 RBI: 63 SB: 0
FRM: 7.6 DRS: 9 CS: 26%
Kirk can flat-out hit with a short, compact, direct-to-the-ball approach, and very little preliminary movement in his swing, a trait that usually helps batters avoid slumps. He has surprising power and is underrated defensively. He’ll share the Blue Jays’ catching duties with Danny Jansen and DH when he’s not behind the plate.
Age: 26
B: B T: R HT: 6-3 WT: 234
WAR: 3.8
Slash line: .211/.284/.489 OPS+: 122
HR: 27 RBI: 63 SB: 1
FRM: 8.2 DRS: 14 CS: 32%
Last spring training, the Mariners didn’t even know whether Raleigh would make the team as a backup catcher; now, he’s top eight in the sport. He did a tremendous job behind the plate in 2022, shutting down the running game and tallying 14 DRS. He hit 27 home runs in the regular season, including the walk-off blast that propelled the Mariners to the postseason for the first time in two decades.
9. Travis d’Arnaud, Braves
Age: 33
B: R T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 210
WAR: 2.9
Slash line: .268/.319/.472 OPS+: 119
HR: 18 RBI: 60 SB: 0
FRM: 8.9 DRS: 6 CS: 25%
D’Arnaud was an integral part of the Braves’ 2021 world championship and was called the most underrated player on that team by their president of baseball operations, Alex Anthopoulos. Many of Atlanta’s pitchers have praised d’Arnaud’s game calling and described him as the key to their staff’s success. He’s also respected for his ability to deliver clutch hits. But after the Braves’ blockbuster trade in the offseason, d’Arnaud will split time with Sean Murphy behind the plate and also DH. However, it’s likely he’ll be dealt between now and the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
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Age: 30
B: R T: R HT: 5-10 WT: 215
WAR: 2.3
Slash line: .248/.283/.388 OPS+: 90
HR: 11 RBI: 43 SB: 2
FRM: 19.0 DRS: 21 CS: 33%
Gold Glove: 2022
Trevino made his first All-Star team and won his first Gold Glove in 2022. He posted 21 DRS, the most by a catcher, and threw out 33 percent of the base runners who tried to steal on him. His game calling, pitch framing and ball blocking are impressive.
Age: 26
B: R T: R HT: 6-4 WT: 224
WAR: 1.5
Slash line: .319/.372/.482 OPS+: 130
HR: 6 RBI: 35 SB: 1
FRM: -1.9 DRS: -3 CS: 27%
I love Stephenson’s bat and think he’s going to really hit for power in his career. He had an injury-plagued 2022 season as he endured a broken thumb, a concussion and a broken clavicle. When he did play, he showed year-over-year improvement defensively, going from a caught-stealing rate of 19 percent to 27 percent. He profiles as an All-Star caliber catcher, and it could happen as early as this summer if he can stay healthy. To keep Stephenson on the field, the Reds will need to give him games at first base and DH. I expect him to climb this list next year — perhaps to as high as No. 6 or 7.
12. Danny Jansen, Blue Jays
Age: 27
B: R T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 218
WAR: 2.9
Slash line: .260/.339/.516 OPS+: 141
HR: 15 RBI: 44 SB: 1
FRM: -1.4 DRS: 5 CS: 27%
Jansen is coming off a career-best offensive season and it will be interesting to see if there’s regression or if his adjustments carry over to 2023. The best part of his profile is his game calling — the Blue Jays pitchers love to throw to him. The metrics don’t love his pitch framing or pop time, which are both average at best, but his ability to run a game and his leadership more than make up for it.
Age: 25
B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 183
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WAR: 2.7
Slash line: .278/.354/.506 OPS+: 138
HR: 20 RBI: 45 SB: 2
FRM: -2.8 DRS: -4 CS: 14%
Contreras is a 25- to 30-home run, middle-of-the-lineup power bat. He’s an offensive catcher. The Brewers believe he will develop into an average defensive catcher in time, but it won’t be this year. Teams can run on Contreras, and with the new rules — including bigger bases and pitchers being limited to two disengagements, unless they subsequently pick off the runner — it could be a significant factor as stolen bases increase across the league. Of course, Contreras can also DH and play left field if he doesn’t improve defensively. He was the NL’s starting DH in the All-Star Game last summer at Dodger Stadium.
Age: 36
B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 232
WAR: 0.3
Slash line: .186/.248/.353 OPS+: 69
HR: 15 RBI: 45 SB: 0
FRM: -0.8 DRS: 2 CS: 26%
Gold Glove: 2017
Maldonado is an elite game caller and a key reason the Astros’ pitching staff dominated in the postseason. He threw out 26 percent of would-be stealers, which is misleading because most base runners won’t even consider running against him. He can’t hit, as his slash line shows, but he does have home run power if a pitcher makes a mistake. He’s a winner. Period.
Age: 32
B: R T: R HT: 5-9 WT: 207
WAR: 2.1
Slash line: .274/.315/.399 OPS+: 99
HR: 9 RBI: 42 SB: 1
FRM: 4.9 DRS: 11 CS: 25%
Vázquez is one of the most underrated catchers in baseball. He’s excellent at calling a game, framing pitches, blocking balls and controlling the running game. He caught the Astros’ combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the World Series. I thought the Twins signed him to one of the most undervalued contracts (three years, $30 million) of the offseason. It was a great move.
Age: 21
B: R T: R HT: 5-10 WT: 233
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WAR: 0.0
Slash line: .167/.286/.500 OPS+: 121
HR: 1 RBI: 1 SB: 0
FRM: 0.0 DRS: 0 CS: 0%
Álvarez is the Mets’ top prospect and he’s going to develop into a middle-of-the-order masher. His bat is major-league-ready, but for now, he’s better suited for DH. He’ll probably start the season at Triple A so he can continue to develop his defense and game calling. But when the defense arrives, he’ll be in the big leagues and should be one of the best offensive catchers in the sport. I think he’ll eventually be in the top five of this list.
Age: 22
B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 195
WAR: 0.7
Slash line: .319/.356/.377 OPS+: 111
HR: 1 RBI: 7 SB: 0
FRM: 0.7 DRS: 2 CS: 41%
The Diamondbacks deserve high marks for acquiring Moreno in the offseason in a trade with the Blue Jays. I think Moreno will develop into a top 10 catcher in time. He can hit for power, and eventually will have at least average major-league power. He has a strong throwing arm. He has a quick, compact swing that makes contact. He’ll be ready to be Arizona’s everyday catcher by the summer.
Age: 24
B: L T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 190
WAR: 0.5
Slash line: .217/.313/.393 OPS+: 99
HR: 18 RBI: 62 SB: 2
FRM: -15.7 DRS: -18 CS: 28%
Melendez is blocked behind Salvador Perez. For now, the 24-year-old will have to play in the outfield and DH as well as catch when Perez needs a day off. It’s a shame. The Royals don’t want to trade Perez because he’s their leader, and they don’t want to deal Melendez because he’s their future. Therefore, he’ll have to wait his turn defensively (he played 71 games at catcher last season with Perez limited to 114 games overall). In the meantime, he gets to show off his impactful bat. Melendez has a chance to be one of the best offensive catchers in the sport over the next couple of years.
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Age: 27
B: B T: R HT: 6-4 WT: 220
WAR: 2.5
Slash line: .227/.298/.399 OPS+: 98
HR: 16 RBI: 48 SB: 2
FRM: 9.1 DRS: 8 CS: 19%
Hiem did an excellent job last season for the Rangers, winning the starting catcher job and playing in 127 games, the most of his 10-year pro career. He’d bounced around the Orioles, Rays and A’s organizations over the years and has never gotten 450 at-bats in a season. He’d never hit more than 10 home runs at any level until he hit 16 in the majors last year. He excelled at framing pitches but struggled throwing out runners.
Age: 24
B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 223
WAR: 1.7
Slash line: .251/.313/.360 OPS+: 95
HR: 7 RBI: 36 SB: 6
FRM: -4.3 DRS: -5 CS: 28%
Ruiz has been a work-in-progress with a lot of development lessons last year. His pop time was in the 25th percentile and his pitch framing was in the 23rd percentile. At the plate, he chased too much out of the strike zone and didn’t barrel the ball up as consistently as he had in the Dodgers farm system, before he was traded to the Nationals. However, he still profiles as an average major-league catcher once he’s developed.
Age: 30
B: R T: R HT: 5-10 WT: 210
WAR: 2.1
Slash line: .254/.305/.443 OPS+: 115
HR: 14 RBI: 44 SB: 0
FRM: -6.6 DRS: -9 CS: 33%
The Tigers decided to go with Haase, an offensive catcher, and that has paid dividends as he’s hit 36 home runs with 105 RBIs over the past two years (674 at-bats). Defensively, he’s below average, but he did throw out base runners at a 33 percent clip in 2022.
Age: 31
B: R T: R HT: 6-3 WT: 208
WAR: 1.0
Slash line: .252/.283/.409 OPS+: 100
HR: 11 RBI: 34 SB: 5
FRM: 2.4 DRS: 4 CS: 48%
Last July, the Rays acquired Bethancourt from the A’s, who were loaded at catcher, in a deal for two minor leaguers. Bethancourt quickly became the Rays’ top catcher and did a decent job behind the plate, including throwing out 48 percent of would-be stealers. He also hit 11 home runs.
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Age: 25
B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 205
WAR: 0.1
Slash line: .218/.261/.430 OPS+: 98
HR: 6 RBI: 22 SB: 0
FRM: -1.3 DRS: -1 CS: 16%
Langeliers is an elite defensive catcher. He threw out 34 percent of the runners attempting to steal in his three-year minor-league career. He’s a strong blocker, pitch framer and game caller. It also looks like his bat is improving as he slashed .283/.366/.510 with 19 doubles and 19 home runs at Triple A last year.
Age: 22
B: R T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 185
WAR: -0.1
Slash line: .286/.375/.286 OPS+: 93
HR: 0 RBI: 2 SB: 0
FRM: -0.2 DRS: -1 CS: 0%
O’Hoppe, whom the Angels acquired last August in a trade with the Phillies for Brandon Marsh, is a special defensive player with a strong make-up and work ethic. He’s done a good job of adjusting his swing the past couple of years and has the raw power to develop into a 20- to 25-home run hitter. (He hit 26 homers last season at Double A.)
Age: 24
B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 230
WAR: -0.2
Slash line: .250/.260/.333 OPS+: 73
HR: 1 RBI: 5 SB: 0
FRM: -0.6 DRS: -1 CS: 0%
Campusano is going to get a chance to fight for the Padres’ starting catcher position in spring training. The 2017 second-round pick is an average defender who continues to grow and develop. He has a strong arm. How well he calls a game remains to be seen. Although he hasn’t hit in the big leagues, he profiles as a .300 hitter with 15- to 20-home run power. This could be his year.
Age: 31
B: R T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 237
WAR: -0.8 OPS+: 44
Slash line: .148/.195/.304
HR: 5 RBI: 16 SB: 0
FRM: 2.2 DRS: -2 CS: 20%
Zunino has always been a special defensive catcher in terms of game calling and throwing out runners. He’s a well-below-average hitter but has 25-home run power. He missed most of last season after undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in his left (non-throwing) arm. His health status, after playing in just 36 games last year, is the only reason he’s not higher on this list.
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Age: 33
B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 198
WAR: 2.0
Slash line: .251/.321/.329 OPS+: 91
HR: 4 RBI: 40 SB: 2
FRM: -8.3 DRS: -6 CS: 13%
Nola is an offensive catcher. However, he caught every inning for the Padres in the playoffs and helped lead them to the NLCS against the Phillies (and his brother). However, he’ll have real competition this spring as the Padres are hoping Luis Campusano is ready to handle a bigger role behind the plate for them.
Age: 30
B: L T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 220
WAR: 0.2
Slash line: .206/.292/.305 OPS+: 71
HR: 4 RBI: 23 SB: 0
FRM: 7.5 DRS: 2 CS: 22%
I’ve always viewed Narváez as either a platoon or backup catcher, which will probably be the case with the Mets as he’s expected to share time with Tomás Nido until Francisco Álvarez becomes the everyday catcher. Narváez has a career slash line of .258/.343/.386 and 162-game averages of 14 home runs and 52 RBIs. The metrics grade his pitch framing much better than the scouts do, and his pop time is well below average.
29. Austin Barnes, Dodgers
Age: 33
B: R T: R HT: 5-10 WT: 188
WAR: 0.7
Slash line: .212/.324/.380 OPS+: 94
HR: 8 RBI: 26 SB: 2
FRM: 3.3 DRS: 3 CS: 30%
Barnes is an ideal backup catcher. He’s smart, calls a solid game, and can hit with occasional power. He is a positive presence among the pitchers and catchers, and helps them prepare. He embraces his role, which is important on winning teams.
Age: 28
B: R T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 215
WAR: 0.8
Slash line: .211/.282/.334 OPS+: 76
HR: 7 RBI: 35 SB: 2
FRM: -0.7 DRS: -1 CS: 23%
Kelly is a solid defensive catcher and below average offensive player. He’ll again start the year as the Diamondbacks’ starting catcher but will lose the job to rookie Gabriel Moreno before the season is over. Kelly is an average pitch framer with an average pop time. He’s best suited as a platoon or backup catcher.
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31. Tomás Nido, Mets
Age: 28
B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 210
WAR: 0.3
Slash line: .239/.276/.324 OPS+: 72
HR: 3 RBI: 28 SB: 0
Mets pitchers, including ace Max Scherzer, love to throw to Nido. He is expected to share the Mets’ catching job with Omar Narváez. Nido is the best defensive catcher on the Mets’ roster.
Age: 27
B: L T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 220
WAR: 0.9
Slash line: .269/.307/.369 OPS+: 90
HR: 3 RBI: 22 SB: 1
FRM: 3.6 DRS: 2 CS: 42%
He is expected to again share catching duties with Connor Wong. McGuire had the best offensive stretch of his career after Boston acquired him from the White Sox at the deadline, batting .337 with three home runs in 108 plate appearances after the trade. However, that’s too small of a sample to put much weight in it. He’s a career .301 OBP hitter who lacks patience at the plate. He did throw out 42 percent (5 of 12) of the runners who tried to steal on him last year.
Age: 26
B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 200
WAR: 1.3
Slash line: .230/.304/.392 OPS+: 96
HR: 9 RBI: 24 SB: 5
FRM: 1.8 DRS: 4 CS: 29%
The Marlins acquired Jacob Stallings from the Pirates in 2021 after he had just won a Gold Glove, but he didn’t live up to expectations offensively or defensively, which opened the door for Fortes. He has hit 13 home runs in his first 248 at-bats in the majors. But he needs to improve his defense if he’s going to be more than a backup catcher.
Age: 34
B: B T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 227
WAR: -1.4
Slash line: .202/.301/.269 OPS+: 64
HR: 5 RBI: 27 SB: 1
FRM: 5.1 DRS: -5 CS: 15%
Grandal was not Grandal last year, as he had a career-worst season, offensively and defensively. He’s worked this offseason to rebuild his body after it broke down on him, leading to several injuries, including bulging discs in his back and hamstring issues. He’s tried to rehab his back and is hoping to regain his 20-home run form, a mark he exceeded in each of the previous five full seasons. It’s all about health for him.
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Age: 35
B: R T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 215
WAR: 0.8
Slash line: .235/.260/.365 OPS+: 75
HR: 8 RBI: 31 SB: 2
FRM: 0.0 DRS: 5 CS: 33%
Gomes has been one of the best backup or platoon catchers in the majors over his 11-year career and has gotten the opportunity to catch in at least half of his team’s games in eight of them. Last year with the Cubs, he did a good job of calling games and finished in the 50th percentile in pop time. He’ll compete with Tucker Barnhart for playing time in 2023.
Age: 26
B: R T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 239
WAR: 0.8
Slash line: .215/.296/.364 OPS+: 86
HR: 11 RBI: 25 SB: 2
FRM: -3.7 DRS: -6 CS: 21%
I never thought Bart was going to hit enough to live up to his draft status — he was the second-overall pick in 2018 — but he certainly has the arm and raw power, both of which are well-above-average tools. Bart has a career slash line of .222/.294/.351 with 11 home runs and 33 RBIs in 408 plate appearances. However, he’s still only 26 years old, and he keeps learning and growing. The tools are there if he can make the right adjustments at the plate.
37. Seby Zavala, White Sox
Age: 29
B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 205
WAR: 1.0
Slash line: .270/.347/.382 OPS+: 107
HR: 2 RBI: 21 SB: 0
FRM: 5.7 DRS: 3 CS: 24%
Zavala had a career-best year last season, playing in 61 games, getting on base at a 35 percent clip and throwing out 24 percent of the runners attempting to steal. He did an excellent job of framing pitches. How much he plays this season will depend on whether Yasmani Grandal can get healthy and return to his previous form.
Age: 32
B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 200
WAR: 0.6
Slash line: .227/.264/.389 OPS+: 84
HR: 10 RBI: 31 SB: 0
FRM: 5.4 DRS: 3 CS: 41%
Higashioka will back up Jose Trevino. He’s one of the better backup catchers in the league because he’s above average defensively and has above-average power.
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39. Jacob Stallings, Marlins
Age: 33
B: R T: R HT: 6-5 WT: 224
WAR: -0.7
Slash line: .223/.292/.292 OPS+: 67
HR: 4 RBI: 34 SB: 0
FRM: -4.3 DRS: -9 CS: 19%
Gold Glove: 2021
Stallings won the NL Gold Glove in 2021 with the Pirates but took a major step back with the Marlins last year, as his OPS dropped from .704 to .584 and his wRC+ dipped from 94 to 71. Defensively, he significantly regressed as well. He’ll now have to compete with Nick Fortes for playing time.
40. Tucker Barnhart, Cubs
Age: 32
B: L T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 192
WAR: 0.1
Slash line: .221/.287/.267 OPS+: 64
HR: 1 RBI: 16 SB: 0
FRM: -2.3 DRS: -8 CS: 28%
Gold Glove: 2017, 2020
Barnhart returns to the NL after a dismal season with the Tigers in which he had a career-worst offensive year, batting .221 with one home run in the midst of losing his job to Eric Haase. This season with the Cubs, the two-time Gold Glove winner will compete for playing time with veteran Yan Gomes.
Age: 32
B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 224
WAR: 0.4
Slash line: .228/.281/.368 OPS+: 73
HR: 9 RBI: 51 SB: 0
FRM: -15.0 DRS: -15 CS: 24%
Díaz’s best season was in 2021, when he hit .246 with 18 home runs and 44 RBIs. He had never hit more than 10 homers in a season before then. Last year, he posted only a .281 OBP overall, though he managed a .312 OBP at Coors Field. He had nine homers on the season and drove in 51 runs, a career-high.
Age: 29
B: B T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 214
WAR: 0.5
Slash line: .199/.300/.342 OPS+: 83
HR: 9 RBI: 34 SB: 0
FRM: 3.7 DRS: 2 CS: 27%
Caratini will share the Brewers’ catching duties with William Contreras, and it will be interesting to see how much playing time he gets at catcher and DH. He’s another solid backup catcher.
Age: 32
B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 220
WAR: 0.4
Slash line: .207/.298/.404 OPS+: 99
HR: 10 RBI: 24 SB: 1
FRM: -0.5 DRS: -2 CS: 17%
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Garver’s best season was in 2019, the year of the live ball, when he hit 31 home runs with 67 RBIs for the Twins in 93 games. That got him a Silver Slugger Award. He’s now a backup catcher but contributes consistent power, as he hit 13 homers in 2021 and 10 last year.
Age: 25
B: R T: R HT: 6-4 WT: 232
WAR: 0.9
Slash line: .208/.285/.363 OPS+: 86
HR: 7 RBI: 27 SB: 0
FRM: 3.3 DRS: 4 CS: 18%
He’s a good backup catcher and should learn a lot about game calling this year as he plays behind Christian Vázquez. Jeffers has above-average power at the plate; he has hit 24 home runs in his first 534 major-league at-bats.
Age: 30
B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 224
WAR: -0.4
Slash line: .163/.241/.248 OPS+: 42
HR: 7 RBI: 30 SB: 2
FRM: 4.4 DRS: 8 CS: 22%
Hedges has thrown out 30 percent of would-be stealers in his eight-year career, and that doesn’t factor in the opponents who won’t even consider running on him. However, he can’t hit major-league pitching. In 2021, he batted .178. Last year, his average dipped to .163. He’s best suited as a backup catcher or a starter against running teams.
(Illustration: Eamonn Dalton / The Athletic / Getty Images)
