The Red Sox’s Catching Battle

For the primary time in a half-decade, the Crimson Sox enter a season with questions on who’ll take the lion’s share of enjoying time behind the plate. Christian Vázquez has been their Opening Day starter in every of the final 5 years. His commerce to Houston finally summer time’s deadline and subsequent three-year free agent signing with the Twins ensures Boston must discover a new answer in 2023.

The Sox at present have simply two catchers on their 40-man roster. Boston introduced in Reese McGuire in a commerce with the White Sox simply hours after delivery Vázquez out final August. The previous first-round draftee completed the season nicely, hitting .337/.377/.500 with a trio of dwelling runs in 36 video games with Boston. It was a wonderful first impression for the 27-year-old (28 tomorrow) however an outlier within the broader context of his profession. In 566 plate appearances between the Blue Jays and White Sox previous to the commerce, McGuire had hit .241/.286/.359 with solely 9 longballs.

McGuire hasn’t had many constant alternatives to get right into a groove in opposition to MLB pitching. Earlier than final season, he’d by no means appeared in even half a staff’s video games. He’s typically had a robust defensive popularity, although. McGuire has rated as an above-average pitch framer in every of the previous two seasons, per Statcast. In slightly below 1600 profession innings behind the dish, he’s thrown out a really robust 31.4% of would-be basestealers.

Connor Wong appears just like the early favourite to separate time with McGuire at Fenway Park. The opposite catcher on the 40-man, he’s solely performed in 33 massive league video games over the previous two seasons. A part of the Mookie Betts commerce return from the Dodgers, the 26-year-old Wong has put up a powerful .276/.327/.471 line in 131 video games for Triple-A Worcester. That included a very robust .288/.349/.489 exhibiting with 15 homers throughout 355 plate appearances for the WooSox final season.

There’s cause for optimism relating to each McGuire and Wong, although there’s apparent threat in counting on both as a daily contemplating neither have confirmed themselves over a full season in opposition to MLB competitors. McGuire hits left-handed and Wong swings from the fitting facet. That’d seemingly increase the potential for mixing and matching based mostly on pitcher handedness, although supervisor Alex Cora pushed again in opposition to that this afternoon. “It’s not a strict platoon state of affairs,” Cora stated (link via Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe). “Wong can hit righties, too, and Reese can hit lefties. We’ll see how we do it. We’ll see what the roster is and we’ll make choices.”

The Sox shied away from any vital catching additions this offseason. Boston didn’t add anybody on a significant league free agent deal or by way of commerce. Former Marlin and Padre Jorge Alfaro was introduced aboard by way of non-roster pact. Alfaro brings some extra expertise to camp and appears like the highest depth choice within the group. That he was restricted to minor league presents this winter hints on the strikeout and defensive questions which have dogged him all through his profession. Alfaro is a .256/.305/.396 hitter with a 34.1% strikeout price in components of seven MLB campaigns. He has glorious arm energy however sometimes posts below-average marks as a receiver.

Former prime prospect Ronaldo Hernández and Caleb Hamilton, claimed off waivers from the Twins in the beginning of the offseason, are additionally within the group as non-roster gamers. Every has higher degree expertise however has gone unclaimed on waivers this winter and appears clearly behind McGuire and Wong on the roster.

It’s attainable Boston appears to enhance the catching depth earlier than Opening Day, maybe by concentrating on a veteran at present on a minor league deal elsewhere however who doesn’t crack an MLB roster. The Guardians, as one instance, have every of Cam Gallagher, Meibrys Viloria and Zack Collins on non-roster pacts battling for a backup job this spring. Gary Sánchez is the highest remaining free agent catcher. Nonetheless, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported final week the Crimson Sox hadn’t had any contact with their longtime division rival.