Texas Rangers Happy With Catchers Heim, Garver
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The Texas Rangers have entered the point of Spring Training where there are fewer days ahead than behind when it comes to Opening Day.
Rangers manager Bruce Bochy recently had a moment to take stock of the state of the club so far in Surprise.
At times, Bochy deals in generalities when it comes to position groups. But when asked about the catching situation, he became specific — and energized with the possibilities when it comes to Jonah Heim and Mitch Garver.
“Jonah and Mitch have done a nice job behind the plate,” Bochy said. “Blocking, throwing and, when they get a chance, they both throw very well.”
That’s music to the Rangers’ ears. That’s one position they didn’t want any lingering questions about, especially since they’ve fielded a veteran starting rotation for this season.
Heim entered the spring as the front-line catcher and that hasn’t changed. He’s coming off a 2022 in which he took a step forward at the plate, as he batted .227/.298/.399/.697 in 127 games. His slash numbers reflected a downturn in his numbers the final month, as the rigors of his first full season as the front-line catcher took a toll. In late August he was batting .250.
With 51 runs, 20 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs and 48 RBI, it qualified as a breakthrough season for him. But he admitted before spring that being the starter took getting used to. He lost seven pounds during the season, the result of increased playing time.
He spent the offseason looking for ways to add weight and muscle that would prove more sustainable during the season. He also spent time catching some of the new pitchers at Globe Life Park and watching film. Bochy has been happy with Heim’s progress in learning the staff and his ability to call a game.
Heim is batting .333 with a home run and three RBI going into Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners.
As for Garver, the Rangers removed him from the injury news portion of their game notes, a clear indication that the team feels good about his health after his right flexor tendon surgery in July of last year.
That injury kept him from being part of the catching tandem with Heim and led to one of his worst seasons at the plate —.207/.298/.404/.702 in 54 games, with 23 runs, seven doubles, 10 home runs and 24 RBI.
He played as a primary DH after the injury and do so as long as he could. But by choosing surgery in July, he was doing so in the hope that he could be ready for this spring. And it’s all systems go.
“Yeah he’s been doing well. We’ve been giving him two days off between starts and trying to mix in some DH in between,” Bochy said. “But he’s coming out of it very well. He’s gone six (innings). So we’re having no problems with Mitch and that’s good news.”
Garver started at catcher for the Rangers on Saturday against Cincinnati. He’s batting .240 with a home run and two RBI this spring.
How much Garver plays at catcher in the regular season is an open question. Bochy says he’ll have a better idea when the team gets closer to breaking camp.
But, behind the plate, it’s all good news for the Rangers at the moment.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard
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