Guardians Should Address Backup Catcher Offensive Woes
This season’s catcher rotation did not go as necessarily planned for the Cleveland Guardians.
After signing Mike Zunino to a one-year contract last December, he hit just .177 in 42 games with the Guardians in 2023 before eventually being released.
Bo Naylor became the team’s primary catcher when he was promoted from Triple-A Columbus in mid-June. The 23-year-old hit .237 with 11 home runs, 32 RBI, 13 doubles, and five stolen bases.
Sep 15, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor (23) celebrates after scoring during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Progressive Field.
© Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
On the contrary, Cleveland’s backup catcher Cam Gallagher hit just .126 in 56 games this year.
With this in mind, the team should either make David Fry their backup catcher, promote a new backup from their farm system, or invest in a new backup to Naylor.
Make David Fry the Backup
After being promoted from Triple-A Columbus on May 1st, Fry played 58 games for the Guardians, hitting .238 with four home runs, 15 RBI, and six doubles. However, he played just 28 games at catcher.
Jul 26, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher David Fry (12) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field.
By keeping him at catcher, he could provide the Guardians more offensive depth behind the plate.
Promote A New Backup
After hitting just .209 in 2022 across Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, Bryan Lavastida’s batting average jumped to .240 across both teams this season.
Apr 22, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Bryan Lavastida (10) singles during the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Along with a combined 12 home runs, 70 RBI, 18 doubles, and 16 stolen bases this year, the 24-year-old could compete for Cleveland’s backup catcher spot if he maintains this offensive consistency.
Invest in a New Backup
There are a handful of catchers set to become free agents this offseason, including Mitch Garver, Francisco Mejía, and Gary Sánchez. Perhaps a veteran free agent could give the Guardians more offensive firepower behind the plate alongside Naylor.
Jul 15, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Francisco Mejia (21) bats during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
© Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
With the Winter Meetings on the way in early December, Cleveland should take some time to evaluate their offensive situation at backup catcher.
