OC Register: 2019 Angels spring training preview: catchers

[AngelsWin.com]

As the Angels head toward the first workout of spring training on Wednesday, we are providing breakdowns of how they stand with their roster by position groups. Players acquired this winter include the method of their acquisition in parentheses. Today is the final installment, looking at the catchers. Previously, the rotation, bullpen, infield and outfield.

2018 RECAP

Martín Maldonado returned as the Angels’ primary catcher after winning a Gold Glove in his first major league season as a starter. Maldonado’s offense deteriorated in 2017, likely because of the wear of catching the most games in the majors, and in 2018 the Angels hoped to lessen his workload and maintain his offense. It didn’t really work out. Maldonado caught 79 of 103 games before he was traded, hitting .223 with a .616 OPS. After he was dealt to the Houston Astros, the Angels split the job between rookies Francisco Arcia and José Briceño. Although they combined for some nice moments, they didn’t produce much offensively either. Overall, the Angels ranked 24th in the majors in OPS from behind the plate. Defense, however, is what the Angels value most in their catchers, and in that regard, they did well.

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

General Manager Billy Eppler said from the start of the winter that they were looking for a catcher. They made an early inquiry into the Miami Marlins’ J.T. Realmuto, but the cost was too high for the Angels and he was traded to Philadelphia on Thursday. They also engaged with the top two free agent catchers, Yasmani Grandal and Wilson Ramos, but both eventually signed elsewhere. The Angels instead grabbed Jonathan Lucroy (free agent) on a one-year deal. Lucroy, 32, is a few years removed from being one of the game’s best catchers. Last season with the Oakland A’s, he hit .241 with a .617 OPS. Lucroy said he discovered some swing issues over the winter, and he has expressed confidence that he can correct them. He still helped nurture a young Oakland pitching staff into the playoffs in 2018. The Angels also picked up Kevan Smith (waivers) from the Chicago White Sox, and he and Briceño will battle for the backup job. Smith, who is out of options, appealed to the Angels because of his .348 on-base percentage last year. Arcia was designated for assignment and signed with the Chicago Cubs.

THE NEXT LAYER

This could be an issue for the Angels. They don’t have a catcher among their top 30 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. The best is Jack Kruger, who had a .770 OPS at Class-A and Double-A last year. The Angels will also have Dustin Garneau (minor league free agent) in big league camp. Garneau has played 88 games in the big leagues, with the Colorado Rockies, A’s and White Sox.

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

With the Philadelphia Phillies landing Realmuto, perhaps they would be willing to part with Andrew Knapp. Knapp is a 27-year-old switch hitter with a career .330 on-base percentage in 140 big league games. He’s got a .349 on-base percentage in the minors. Knapp also has options. Although Knapp doesn’t quite fit the Angels’ desire to have defensive-minded catchers, a switch-hitting catcher who gets on base and has options would be a nice depth piece. Having Knapp, Smith, Briceño and Garneau would give the Angels plenty of competition for the job backing up Lucroy, and coverage if he gets hurt.

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[jgimondo]

26 minutes ago, AngelsWin.com said:

As the Angels head toward the first workout of spring training on Wednesday, we are providing breakdowns of how they stand with their roster by position groups. Players acquired this winter include the method of their acquisition in parentheses. Today is the final installment, looking at the catchers. Previously, the rotation, bullpen, infield and outfield.

2018 RECAP

Martín Maldonado returned as the Angels’ primary catcher after winning a Gold Glove in his first major league season as a starter. Maldonado’s offense deteriorated in 2017, likely because of the wear of catching the most games in the majors, and in 2018 the Angels hoped to lessen his workload and maintain his offense. It didn’t really work out. Maldonado caught 79 of 103 games before he was traded, hitting .223 with a .616 OPS. After he was dealt to the Houston Astros, the Angels split the job between rookies Francisco Arcia and José Briceño. Although they combined for some nice moments, they didn’t produce much offensively either. Overall, the Angels ranked 24th in the majors in OPS from behind the plate. Defense, however, is what the Angels value most in their catchers, and in that regard, they did well.

HOW IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW

General Manager Billy Eppler said from the start of the winter that they were looking for a catcher. They made an early inquiry into the Miami Marlins’ J.T. Realmuto, but the cost was too high for the Angels and he was traded to Philadelphia on Thursday. They also engaged with the top two free agent catchers, Yasmani Grandal and Wilson Ramos, but both eventually signed elsewhere. The Angels instead grabbed Jonathan Lucroy (free agent) on a one-year deal. Lucroy, 32, is a few years removed from being one of the game’s best catchers. Last season with the Oakland A’s, he hit .241 with a .617 OPS. Lucroy said he discovered some swing issues over the winter, and he has expressed confidence that he can correct them. He still helped nurture a young Oakland pitching staff into the playoffs in 2018. The Angels also picked up Kevan Smith (waivers) from the Chicago White Sox, and he and Briceño will battle for the backup job. Smith, who is out of options, appealed to the Angels because of his .348 on-base percentage last year. Arcia was designated for assignment and signed with the Chicago Cubs.

THE NEXT LAYER

This could be an issue for the Angels. They don’t have a catcher among their top 30 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. The best is Jack Kruger, who had a .770 OPS at Class-A and Double-A last year. The Angels will also have Dustin Garneau (minor league free agent) in big league camp. Garneau has played 88 games in the big leagues, with the Colorado Rockies, A’s and White Sox.

MOVE THEY COULD MAKE

With the Philadelphia Phillies landing Realmuto, perhaps they would be willing to part with Andrew Knapp. Knapp is a 27-year-old switch hitter with a career .330 on-base percentage in 140 big league games. He’s got a .349 on-base percentage in the minors. Knapp also has options. Although Knapp doesn’t quite fit the Angels’ desire to have defensive-minded catchers, a switch-hitting catcher who gets on base and has options would be a nice depth piece. Having Knapp, Smith, Briceño and Garneau would give the Angels plenty of competition for the job backing up Lucroy, and coverage if he gets hurt.

Related Articles

• Whicker: Frank Robinson played the game for keeps
• Frank Robinson, Baseball Hall of Famer, dies at 83
• 2019 Angels spring training preview: outfield
• Angels’ Shohei Ohtani cleared to take next step in rehab from Tommy John surgery
• 2019 Angels spring training preview: infield

View the full article

This needs to be addressed right away.