Pirates State of the System 2023: Catchers
A look at the catcher position inside the Pirates minor league system
‘State of the system’ is a four part series taking a look at the Pirates farm system to see where the general strengths and weaknesses are of each positional group - catchers, infielders, outfielders and pitchers.
The catcher position, at least depth wise, has looked like a roller coaster in the Pittsburgh Pirates system the last couple of seasons.
When Ben Cherington took over as the General Manager, there was little to no depth at the position.
He quickly transformed that into a strength, adding Endy Rodriguez, Carter Bins, Abrahan Gutierrerz (all through trade), and drafting Henry Davis first overall in 2021.
Rodriguez and Davis became two of the best catching prospects in all of baseball, but both graduated this year to the majors, once again leaving a question mark at one of the more premium positions on the diamond.
Bins has dealt with a lot of injuries, but has been ineffective at the plate when healthy. What little time he did get this year was with Altoona, and is now playing in the Arizona Fall League.
Cherington was so high on Gutierrez he technically acquired him twice. After the original deal that included Tyler Anderson fell through, he circled back and struck up another trade that involved minor league pitcher Braeden Ogle.
It was hard at times for Gutierrez to shine while being stuck behind Endy and Davis, but he has a strong defensive game, and has shown an ability to hit at times. Like Bins, Gutierrez missed a good chunk of the season due to an injury, but unlike him, the latter is a minor league free agent this offseason, meaning he could go look for opportunities elsewhere.
The lower levels have a lot of interesting names, and probably where the best of the ‘prospects’ at the position remain, even if there are some questions on them as it is.
This is something that WTM really went into depth with during the season, highlighting the catchers both in Bradenton and in the Florida Complex League.
The Marauders had an interesting duo at catcher in Geovanny Planchart and Omar Alfonzo. Both put up strong defensive numbers, with Planchart having some very solid contact numbers and Alfonzo surprisingly some impressive exit velocity numbers.
Alfonzo in particular, at just 19-years-old, seems to be an interesting name to follow going into the offseason and next year. He didn’t get the results you would have wanted his first stint in Bradenton, but was hitting the ball hard.
He spent some time in the FCL before returning and finishing strong. He has a strong arm, and got some playing time at first base to keep his bat in the lineup as well.
The strikeout rate was in the mid-20s, but had a SwingStrike% of under 10% in Bradenton, pointing to him potentially struggling with the ABS strike zone.
When talking about the lower levels, the name that automatically sticks out and was one everyone was watching going into 2023 was Axiel Plaz - who made the jump stateside and played in the FCL.
Being 17-years-old, it was really about getting adjusted to life in the states, as he played in 33 games, mainly as the team’s DH. Outside of a 16% walk rate, there wasn’t too much to write home about statistically, as the team will likely look for him to take a leap in 2024.
A good reason why they had him playing DH so much was the sheer amount of catchers they had in the FCL - Rafael Escalante, Eybert Escalona and Miguel Sosa among them. They also drafted John Lopez and Justin Miknis, as well as signing undrafted free agent John Scherrer,
While the catcher position doesn’t have the top end talent it once had, there are plenty of options they can throw against the wall to see if any sticks.
Catchers
Strengths - sheer numbers in lower levels that have at least shown some intriguing traits while in the early stages of development.
Weaknesses - upper levels catching crop lean more towards being depth options, with potentially no immediate help on the way.
Top Prospect - Omar Alfonzo. He may be my breakout candidate for 2024, as he has the defensive chops, shows a strong approach at the plate, and has some intriguing exit velocity numbers at an early age. Plaz would be the easy choice based off of projection, Alfonzo gives a little of each, along with some on the field results.
Hope they can keep Gutierrez. He has quietly produced behind Endy and Hank. He should be a solid backup as soon as next year.
Even though we have a bunch of young guys in A ball down, I like a catcher in the comp A or 2nd round next year. Ethan Anderson is a switch hitting catcher/corner fielder that has been playing 1st because a guy named Teel.
His dad was a Navy Seal so he is probably fairly disciplined with a work ethic. Shows the athleticism to play all the corners(1st,3rd,RF and LF) plus he can hit.
I know way to early but looks like a high floor potentially high ceiling player if he can stick at catcher.