2025 In A Discarded-On-The-Dugout-Flooring Nutshell
He flashed elite expertise behind the plate however a giant drop off in offensive manufacturing leaves some query marks regardless of a wonderful season.
You possibly can cherry choose some stats right here, however Carlos Narváez was top-of-the-line defensive catchers within the Majors in 2025. Interval. His 32 runners caught stealing led the complete large leagues. The league CS common was 21.5%; Narvy’s was 29.9%. His 58 assists general additionally led the league. His 9 handed balls led the American League, as did his 9 errors, however now we’re beginning to cherry choose. Narvy was ninth within the Majors in Catcher Framing Runs with 5 runs saved. He didn’t nab the Gold Glove, however Carlos must be extraordinarily pleased with the yr he had calling pitches and catching pitchers for the Purple Sox.
I’ll speak slightly extra about his offense beneath, however that was one among his greater points because the season went on. What I wish to elaborate on extra on this part is the catchers’ interference concern. Six catchers interference calls is a giant concern for a Main League catcher. One even brought about a walk-off—July twenty first in Philadelphia. It occurred in September in a giant collection in opposition to the Yankees—one which ended up being a giant stinker. Alex Cora mentioned he can stay with it as a result of the catching on the whole was means higher than 2024—which isn’t unfaithful—however is it one thing you really wish to stay with? I do know it’s a product of framing however to me, it’s an issue that must be eradicated, or at the least remediated.
Don’t we simply love beating the Yankees? There’s additionally an immense quantity of schadenfreude right here beating the Yankees—not simply as a rival, however because the staff that traded him to Boston within the first place.
I truthfully have two large questions for Narváez right here: can he maintain up and may he take his bat to the subsequent degree? The query about holding up is the plain query for me. This was his first full yr within the Majors and he performed in 118 video games. That’s quite a bit for anybody, not to mention a backstop. Most elite catchers play nearly the complete season. Cal Raleigh performed in 159(!) video games, with 121 of them as a backstop. Salvador Perez hit in 155; 92 as a catcher, 38 as a DH and 30 as a primary baseman! William Contreras began 128 video games behind the dish this season, with 22 video games at DH and three video games at sporadic positions. Alejandro Kirk began 118 video games as a catcher—precisely the identical quantity as Narvy–and led certified catchers in batting common this season. These guys have been dominant and stayed on the sector. Can Narváez do the identical or do they want a greater backup catcher than Connor Wong to lighten the load? We’ve seen it work when Wong was taking part in like a 1A and had Reese McGuire because the 1B, or when Christian Vazquez cut up time with Kevin Plawecki—who far exceeded expectations—in 2021. There must be a plan both means.
Let’s additionally check out a few of Narvy’s splits. He was a means higher residence hitter than on the highway—a .820 OPS at Fenway vs a .637 OPS away from Boston. A primary half sOPS+ of 120 and a second half sOPS+ of 69. That’s one heck of a drop off in manufacturing with the bat in his fingers. Can Carlos discover his bat for longer or will his MO be a cold and warm hitter?
It’s clear Carlos Narváez grew to become top-of-the-line defensive catchers in all of baseball in 2025. What a godsend it gave the impression to be after buying and selling away whom everybody thought can be the inheritor obvious backstop in Kyle Teel. Nonetheless no regrets on it, only a large change in philosophy within the place. That is all going to be about consistency. Can Narvy proceed to be the unbelievable catcher he proved to be final season or will he be a one-hit marvel? Craig Breslow must assist Narvaéz in any case, whether or not as damage substitute, platoon or somebody who can step up if issues go really awry. Nonetheless, the Gold Glove nominee has a future shimmering with much more potential, for 2026 and past.
