A lot of the Crimson Sox’s offense has been in flux during the last 12 months: Rafael Devers was traded, Alex Bregman walked, Wilson Contreras and Caleb Durbin had been acquired, whereas the infield platoon was refreshed. The mix of strikes sounds terrible for offensive pop, it however does supply extra stability defensively. In the meantime, he group determined to stay to what they know on the catcher place. Let’s consider!
The Starter: Carlos Narvaez
There’s lots to love about Carlos Narvaez, who completed sixth in Rookie of the Yr voting. However earlier than recognizing Narvaez as a possible unbelievable defensive catcher in due time, I need to put my Scrooge hat on — as a result of it wouldn’t be one among my articles if I didn’t — and state that he has some work to do on the plate. However I’ll additionally stay optimistic and state that he can in all probability do this work.
Narv slashed .241/.306/.419 final 12 months for an OPS of .726, which ranked 18th in baseball amongst catchers, and his Savant page seems to be like a Frozen film. However his profession remains to be in his infancy, with nonetheless below 500 profession plate appearances. The catcher bell curve was extra regular than typical, that means Narvaez was inside hanging distance from being a median catcher on the plate. Whether or not that is extra noticeable on a group that doesn’t have the identical offensive pop stays to be seen, however I’m prepared to attend.
In retaining Carlos Narvaez as a beginning catcher, the Crimson Sox have one thing that just a few groups in baseball can declare: a Gold Glove finalist behind the dish. Of us could need to level to Carlos Narvaez ending a sport with a walk-off interference for simply the second time in league historical past (and a number of the people could also be within the room with us proper now) as proof that he’s bought some flaws as a defensive catcher. However, regardless that the Crimson Sox led the Main Leagues final 12 months with 9 catcher’s interference calls, the proof on the contrary is within the pudding.
As I referenced when Narvaez was nominated for the award that Detroit’s Dillon Dingler positively dutifully (okay, sorry, bought carried away with the alliteration) ultimately gained, the 27-year-old Narvaez was ranked within the eighty fifth percentile in framing. All of those pitches under had been known as strikes, which is large when an inning begins getting just a little furry. Here’s a visual on some of those pitches. Good framing retains pitchers assured, managed and, finest case situation, effectively rested. Now the ABS difficult system could put all this to relaxation, however keep in mind that groups additionally must be diligent with once they name for challenges, and managers could ask to be extra strategic and solely problem defensively. For now, framing and taking away strikes is a big energy of Narvaez’s.
Narvaez additionally led all catchers with 32 runners caught stealing, and his ninetieth percentile pop time proves his arm and reflexes are speedy. In time, Narvaez. could turn out to be one of the crucial respected defensive catchers within the sport. And one of the best a part of all is that he value the Crimson Sox nothing and is probably going ours to get pleasure from for at the least 5 years.
The final remaining piece of the Mookie Betts commerce, Connor Wong regarded like he had all of it in 2023 and 2024. He was fast, had energy, and regarded like a fairly good defensive catcher. The primary two of these took an enormous step backward final season, leading to Narvaez taking his beginning job. It took till the summer season for Wong to report his second RBI of the season. His OPS was simply .500 and he batted under the Mendoza line for the primary time.
Even Wong’s defensive prowess dipped, as he dropped to twenty sixth in catcher framing. However there was a curious anecdote about Aroldis Chapman’s world-renowned fastball that maybe sparked some religion in Wong’s capability as a collaborative catcher. Wong reportedly advised Chapman he can attempt to really find and place his fastball, leading to him having a profession 12 months at 37 years of age. Bear in mind, once more, that Chapman’s fastball has topped out at almost 106 miles per hour, that Chapman ha been within the Cy Younger dialog at instances, and that he might finish his profession with over 400 profession saves. Right here’s what Narvaez needed to say about it:
“It’s sort of loopy, bro,” Narváez stated. “As a result of I imply, while you ask a catcher, you need to name a fastball away, fastball in, fastball up and in, particularly with the PitchCom. So, now, I imply he’s been within the league for some time and he’s simply saying like ‘Okay, I’m really finding my fastball now. In once I need it and away once I need it.’ It’s like ‘Okay, I didn’t know why you didn’t earlier than however let’s do it.’ He’s pitching with conviction now and each pitch has an intent. It was a giant adjustment for him, bro.”
The Crimson Sox introduced Wong again on a 1-year, 1.375 million greenback deal with out going to arbitration. He’s below group management for 3 extra seasons, but when Wong isn’t producing both offensively or defensively it’ll be simple to say goodbye someday, although will probably be a departure the place that meme of Wolverine holding a picture with the phrases “2024 Connor Wong” involves thoughts.
I’d even be remiss to not acknowledge the opposite choices within the room, however these aren’t actual choices in my thoughts, nor ought to they be in anybody’s. Willson Contreras has nearly 1000 profession video games logged behind the dish, however at this stage of his profession, particularly seeing as he was acquired in a commerce for capital, he must protect his well being for the potential of this group. Anthony Seigler has additionally caught in his profession (though simply as soon as within the Majors) however that is one other break-glass-in-case-of-real-emergency choice. There’s additionally previous buddy Christian Vazquez nonetheless in free company, however his finest years are effectively behind him.
This group has notably been extremely astute with depth signings this offseason. Matt Thaiss might be most groups’ backup backup catcher when it comes to expertise, as he has 305 video games within the bigs together with 60 video games in 2025 the place he batted .218/.349/.288. Bbut as you may see, there’s no energy to talk of and he’ll nearly definitely be heading to Polar Park because the group has already assigned him to AAA. Nate Baez was introduced in on a minor league deal. So, too, was one other previous buddy (and native New Englander) in Mickey Gasper, who returns to the group together with his first Main League hit – and residential run! – in tow from his time with the Twins. Jason Delay is one other depth signing with Main League expertise albeit with no seasons over substitute stage but (however he can slug!). Ronald Rosario despatched one out of the park within the Northeastern sport however hasn’t progressed previous Double-A but, and my very own private favourite WooSox participant (if Nick Sogard stays on the Main League roster), Nate Hickey, hit 17 dwelling runs in Worcester final season however, realistically, can be extra of a primary baseman, as he spends rather more time there. Password’s little brother Johanfran stays within the group following a promotion in 2025 and shares the ability software. And, lastly, Brooks Brannon may surge as much as Worcester as he’s been promoted as soon as in every of the final 4 seasons and positively seems to be viable on the plate.
All through the Blue Jays’ run to just about dethroning the Dodgers as World Sequence champions, it was evident that Alejandro Kirk is likely one of the finest catchers in baseball. The Yankees’ Austin Wells, like Narvaez, is a superb pitch framer in his personal proper with extra Main League expertise and a solidified beginning spot. Adley Ruschmann had a down 12 months however he stays the Orioles’ starter, with Samuel Basallo ready within the wings, full with long-term deal in hand. I’d in all probability slot Narvaez and Wong fourth. The Rays stay the one group I’d put definitively below Narvaez, marching out a tandem of Hunter Feduccia and Nick Fortes; that place will possible be a ache level for Tampa because the season grows lengthy.
In the end, I really feel nice with Narvaez being the catcher of the current and the long run, and we are able to at the least pencil him in as a part of the the following technology of profitable on this group.
