The most underrated storyline of the Boston Red Sox’s upcoming offseason resides behind the dish.
There’s a dearth of catching depth across Major League Baseball, yet the Red Sox are in the enviable position of having three viable options on their roster. It gives Boston flexibility, obviously, but the logjam also means the organization must decide which catchers to keep around.
Do the Red Sox go with two young backstops moving forward and cut bait with a veteran? It’s one of several paths Boston could take this winter, so let’s assess the situation.
2015 at a glance
Christian Vazquez was supposed to handle the Red Sox’s catching duties in 2015, but the up-and-comer underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of spring training, ending his sophomore campaign before it ever got off the ground. The impact was apparent.
Vazquez, who impressed in 55 games with the Red Sox in 2014, developed a good rapport with Boston’s pitchers down the stretch in his rookie season and then in spring training. He already looked like an emerging leader capable of handling a pitching staff, and his defensive skills — quick feet, rocket arm, great pitch-framing — were undeniable. Losing him hurt on so many levels, even in spite of the uncertainty that comes with most 25-year-olds with limited big league experience.
Vazquez’s injury paved the way for Ryan Hanigan to become Boston’s starting catcher. The underrated veteran looked more than capable, but a broken hand suffered at the beginning of May sidelined him for two months and thrust top prospect Blake Swihart into action earlier than expected.
Swihart, to his credit, handled the unforeseen call-up admirably, staying afloat both offensively and defensively at a time when Boston’s pitching staff had several problems of its own. The 23-year-old only got better as the season progressed, too, suggesting his future is as bright as previously billed.
And let’s not forget Sandy Leon. The 26-year-old has zero pop whatsoever, but he made up for his offensive shortcomings by providing solid defense over 41 games.
Whose job to lose?
Swihart.
The former first-round pick didn’t disappoint in his rookie season despite being thrown into the fire. He hit .274 with five home runs, 31 RBIs and a .319 on-base percentage in 309 plate appearances spanning 84 games. That includes hitting .303 (47-for-155) with an .805 OPS in 44 second-half games. The switch-hitter batted .373 (22-for-59) with a .931 OPS in 17 games in August.
Perhaps more importantly, Swihart really improved behind the plate, which he repeatedly said was a point of emphasis upon joining the major league club. As he becomes more comfortable defensively, it could translate to even more success offensively, as everything will become second nature.
The only way Swihart isn’t the Red Sox’s starting catcher come Opening Day is if the Red Sox trade him, which seems far-fetched given his potential but also shouldn’t be ruled out with new president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski tasked with improving the team in other areas.
Notable prospects
Jordan Procyshen (23 on March 11)
Procyshen, a 14th-round pick in 2014, represented Single-A Greenville in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game this season. He hit .285 with two homers, 28 RBIs and a .720 OPS in 51 games with the Drive before earning a promotion to High-A Salem.
Procyshen is the Red Sox’s No. 37 prospect, according to SoxProspects.com.
Austin Rei (22 on Oct. 27)
The Red Sox drafted Rei in the third round this season. It’s too early in his professional career to have a good read on his ceiling, but some viewed him as the best all-around defensive catcher in the draft.
From SoxProspects.com, which ranks him as Boston’s No. 41 prospect: “Plus arm. Excellent leader behind the plate. Offense really came on late in 2015 after Rei returned from a torn left thumb ligament. Has performed well with wood bats.”
Jordan Weems (23 on Nov. 7)
Drafted the same year as Swihart, Weems hit .244 with two homers, 15 RBIs and a .663 OPS in 48 games split between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland in 2015.
Offseason prediction
The Red Sox trade a catcher.
In theory, the Red Sox could start the season with Swihart or (more likely) Vazquez in Triple-A Pawtucket. It wouldn’t be the worst thing given the uncertainty surrounding Vazquez in his return from surgery. He’s expected to be ready for spring training, but there’s no telling roughly four months out whether he’ll be forced to deal with some limitations in the early going.
The more intriguing scenario involves leveraging their area of strength to upgrade the pitching staff (Boston’s most glaring need). If that’s the path the Red Sox take, Dombrowski and Co. need to determine just how bold they’re willing to be.
The idea that Swihart could be to the Red Sox what Buster Posey is to the San Francisco Giants was too alluring for former Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington to consider dealing him, even with Cole Hamels, among others, there for the taking. Perhaps Dombrowski will have a different outlook, though his comments since joining the Red Sox suggest he’s also high on Swihart, meaning either Vazquez or Hanigan — two catchers with lower trade values — is more likely to be moved this winter.
Just keep in mind: You need to give something to get something. And if the Red Sox really want a legitimate ace, you can bet Swihart will be at the top of every team’s wishlist.
Thumbnail photo via Dan Hamilton/USA TODAY Sports Images
