Article: Twins Organizational Depth Chart: Catchers

[Seth Stohs]

In the last couple of weeks, we went around the infield looking at the Twins organizational depth. Today, we’ll take a look at the catchers from the big leagues to the rookie leagues, and even the Dominican Summer League.Major Leagues

 

Joe Mauer moved from the position a year ago. The Twins signed Kurt Suzuki, and he was an All-Star in 2014. The 30-year-old hit .288/.345/.383 (.727) with 34 doubles, three homers and 61 RBI. The veteran signed a two-year extension on July 31.

 

25-year-old Josmil Pinto started the season as the backup catcher. He spent more time as the team’s DH, but he did catch 25 games. He struggled in every aspect defensively including allowing 20 runners to steal a base without throwing any out. In 57 games with the Twins, he hit .219/.315/.391 (.705) with eight doubles and seven homers. In 60 games in Rochester, he hit .279/.376/.457 (.833) with 17 doubles and six homers. There he threw out 18% of would-be base stealers. His bat will keep him on the 40 man roster.

 

When Pinto was sent to Rochester, Eric Fryer came up. In 36 games in Rochester, he hit .252/.323/.333 (.656) with seven doubles, but he did a terrific job behind the plate and also threw out 44% of base stealers. With the Twins, he threw out just one of 17, but his work with pitchers continued to be praised and his athleticism helps him do well behind the plate. In 81 big league plate appearances, he hit .213/.272/.307 (.578) with four doubles and a homer. He is likely to remain on the 40 man roster.

 

Chris Herrmann caught just one inning with the Twins as he was used for his defense in the corner outfield positions. In Rochester, he caught 26 games and threw out 38% of base stealers. He hit .304/.373/.505 (.878) with 18 doubles, four triples and a homer in 60 games. In the big leagues, he hit just .213/.253/.253 (.506) with three doubles. He is likely at risk to be removed from the 40 man roster.

 

Minor Leagues

 

25-year-old Dan Rohlfing spent the season in Rochester. He caught 58 games and threw out 39% of base stealers. He hit .205/.307/.311 (.618) with 17 doubles and two home runs. He is a very good athlete and spent time at first base and in both corner outfield positions. He even pitched twice.

 

Kyle Knudson (26) was behind the plate for 82 of New Britain’s games in 2014. He is a very strong defensive catcher. He has good mobility and a strong arm, plus he works very well with pitchers. He threw out 30% of would-be base stealers. He hit .215/.265/.279 (.544) with 16 doubles.

 

Matt Koch was the other catcher for the Rock Cats. The 25-year-old is known for his offense rather than his defense, but his bat struggled with the move to AA. He hit .212/.304/.281 with nine doubles and two homers. He caught 64 games in New Britain and made good strides defensively. He threw out 34% of base stealers.

 

Jairo Rodriguez split his 2014 season between Ft. Myers and New Britain. With the Miracle, he caught 29 games and threw out 21% of base stealers. He also caught seven games in New Britain and threw out 20%. Rodriguez is from Venezuela and is very respected for his work behind the plate. He recently re-signed with the Twins as a minor league free agent.

 

Stuart Turner was the Twins third round pick in 2013 out of Ole Miss where he won the Johnny Bench Award as the top collegiate catcher. He is viewed as a great defensive catcher. He calls a good game and receives the ball well. He threw out 32% of base stealers in 92 games. The 22-year-old was invited to big league spring training and then jumped straight to the Miracle. In 93 games, he hit .249/.322/.375 (.698) with 16 doubles, two triples and seven home runs.

 

Tyler Grimes (23) made the move to full-time catcher in 2013 in Cedar Rapids and performed well. In 2014 with the Miracle, he played all over the diamond, including 19 games behind the plate. He is a good catcher and has a very strong arm. He threw out 31% of base stealers. In 79 games total, he hit .232/.313/.335 (.648) with 14 doubles, two triples and three homers.

 

Mitch Garver was the runner-up to Turner for the 2013 Johnny Bench Award. The Twins made him their ninth round pick that year. He was sent to Cedar Rapids where he had a terrific season. In fact, he was my choice for Twins Minor League Hitter of the Year. In 120 games, he hit .298/.399/.481 (.880) with 29 doubles, 16 homers and 79 RBI. Behind the plate, he was also very good. He calls a good game and did a nice job working with some young pitchers. He threw out 32% of base stealers in the 63 games he caught.

 

Michael Quesada caught 53 games for the Kernels. He is a good catcher, very athletic and able to block the ball in the dirt very well. He has a strong, accurate arm and threw out 31% of base stealers. The 24 year old hit .205/.288/.330 (.618) with 13 doubles and four homers.

 

Alex Swim began the season in extended spring training and played in a couple of games for Ft. Myers when needed. In one game behind the plate with the Miracle, he threw out the one runner who tried to steal against him. The 23-year-old moved up to Cedar Rapids in mid-June. With the Kernels, he caught 12 games and threw out 14% of base stealers. He hit though and to keep him in the lineup he was moved to right field. In 64 games, he hit .311/.351/.349 (.700) with nine doubles. At Instructional League, he still did some catching.

 

Brian Navarreto (19) was the Twins sixth round pick in 2013 out of high school in Florida. At 6-3 and 230 pounds, he reminds many of the Royals’ Salvador Perez. Behind the plate, he is a big target and he has a very strong arm. In 27 games behind the plate, he threw out a remarkable 59% of would-be base stealers. In 31 games total, he hit .194/.241/.370 (.612) with eight doubles and three home runs. He has incredible power and has a chance to be very good.

 

Jorge Fernandez was the Twins seventh round pick in 2013 out of high school in Puerto Rico. He is a very good athlete and there is frequently talk about him being moved to the outfield. In didn’t happen in 2014. The 20-year-old caught 22 games for Elizabethton and threw out 38% of base stealers. Offensively, he hit .321/.361/.440 (.802) with six doubles, two triples and a homer.

 

24-year-old Brett Doe was the Twins 38th round pick in 2014 out of Baylor. In 21 games at Elizabethton, he threw out 35% of base stealers. He hit .207/.313/.345 (.658) with three doubles, a triple and a home run.

 

Alex Real was the Twins 24th round pick in 2014 out of New Mexico where he was a teammate of Mitch Garver. With the E-Twins, he DH’d 15 times and caught 12 times. He threw out 23% of base runners. In 96 plate appearances, he hit .284/.323/.375 (.698) with five doubles and a home run.

 

20-year-Jarrard Poteete was the Twins 19th round pick this year out of Connors State. He caught 24 games and threw out 41% of base stealers. At the plate, he hit .220/.292/.303 (.594) with six doubles and a home run though it is believed that he will hit.

 

Rainis Silva is a 18-year-old from Venezuela. In 41 games in the GCL, he hit .270/.294/.342 (.636) with nine doubles and a triple. To keep him in the lineup, he played ten games at first base. He caught 24 games and threw out 39% of would-be base stealers. He is young and has some to learn, but he has a very strong arm.

 

Joel Polanco (21) caught 13 games for the GCL Twins. He threw out four of seven base stealers (57%). He also played 16 games at first base and DH’d three times. In 32 games, he hit .248/.296/.350 (.646) with six doubles and two homers.

 

Gabriel Ojeda was the Twins 27th round pick in 2014 out of high school in Puerto Rico. As an 18-year-old, he caught just seven games. He played in 25 games total and hit .169/.263/.197 (.460) with two doubles.

 

Down in the DSL, Robert Molina (17) caught 41 games. He threw out 35% of base stealers. He hit .206/.313/.284 (.597) with seven doubles and two triples.

Jhonathan Alvarez was 18, and he caught in 31 games. He threw out 48% of would-be base stealers. He hit .211/.344/.239 (.582) with a double and a triple.

 

Carlos Martinez was a known international prospect from Panama. In 2014, his fourth year in the DSL, he was moved from the infield to catcher. He caught in seven games and threw out five of 14 base stealers (36%). In ten total games, he hit .182/.349/.303 (.652) with a double and a homer. In his four seasons, he has hit a combined .190/.309/.260.

 

SUMMARY

 

Kurt Suzuki will be the primary catcher on Opening Day 2015. His backup may be Eric Fryer, but it is also possible that Josmil Pinto will again be in the role.

 

Stuart Turner remains the top catching prospect in the Twins organization. He should get another spring training invite and move up to Chattanooga to start the 2015 season. Mitch Garver was the hitter of the year in the organization (in my opinion) and did a nice job behind the plate. He should move up to Ft. Myers and hopefully get to Chattanooga sometime during the season. He should also receive an invite to big league camp. Brian Navarreto has a long ways to go, but he also has the biggest upside in the group.

 

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[Eephus]

First, the depth chart articles are great stuff. Second, aside from the three prospects you mention in the summary, can't imagine the Twins brass view any of the others as future MLB starting catchers. Third, having three catchers with real MLB potential (Turner, Garver, Navaretto) might be really helpful with a trade for a pitcher some day.

[DocBauer]

This is one of the more exciting positions in the Twins system, to me. For a few years it seemed the Twins only had god defense "organizational" guys. Now it appears we have some really intriguing prospects.

 

Suzuki was a quality signing. His re-signing may have been on the high side, but the market for catchers is very shallow. Even not strong throwing, even with offensive regression, he's a solid ballplayer and quality game caller and receiver.

 

Pinto is stuck a bit in no man's land. My hope is the new staff will continue to work with him, that his reported strong work ethic will continue, and he will get more and more opportunity to prove himself and gain opportunities. There's just too much talent and potential to give up on.

 

I've been a big believer in Herrmann as a solid backstop and hitter who could offer bench flex ability. I still maintain his biggest issue has been being yo-yo'ed up and down the chain instead of being allowed to play and develop.

 

If Rohfling could hit he'd already be in the majors. Koch disappointed this season, but I had hopes before last season. I figure he's got one more season to rebound.

 

And the reason is Turner and Garver. Call me a huge optimist with these two. All kinds of offensive and defensive potential here.

 

Navaretto and Fernandez each offer talent that the Twins can afford to take time with.

 

I think the next couple of seasons could provide some real excitement at the catching position.

[stringer bell]

I like Turner a lot. He would profile as a regular catcher and Gold Glove (mitt?) contender. I suppose he would be a bottom-of-the-order hitter, but I think he could be a league-average hitter.

[Thrylos]

Hopefully the new manager and his staff start Pinto, keep Suzuki as the back up and DFA Fryer.

[markos]

  On 10/30/2014 at 3:45 AM, stringer bell said:

I like Turner a lot. He would profile as a regular catcher and Gold Glove (mitt?) contender. I suppose he would be a bottom-of-the-order hitter, but I think he could be a league-average hitter.

I'm very bullish on Turner as well. I think he had a really good season that was masked by a combination of a bad April and the crappy run-scoring environment that is the Florida State league. 

 

I know it gets a little dangerous arbitrarily throwing out bad data, but if you take away his April, he had a .770 OPS which would have had him as one of the top-20 hitters in the FSL. Additionally, if he had switched his April and August around, the narrative would have been a lot different. I think everyone would be a lot more excited about him, he might have been promoted to AA, and his bad month would be easily excused by "tiring at the end of the season." As it was, his slow start sank his stat line for the entire season, and I wouldn't be surprised if some people have Garver ahead of him on their prospect rankings.

[Mike Sixel]

While the precision of framing can be questioned....it exists. And Suzuki is not rated well at all. I would argue it is more important than base stealing. I do like the guys in the minors. One of the deeper spots,imo.

[Seth Stohs]

  On 10/30/2014 at 11:08 AM, Thrylos said:

Hopefully the new manager and his staff start Pinto, keep Suzuki as the back up and DFA Fryer.

 

I can't imagine there is a manager in baseball that would go into the season thinking that. (No, not even the great Joe Maddon)

[James Richter]

I also wonder how differently the new manager and coaches might evaluate the catchers. Pinto supposedly worked hard and noticeably improved his catching by September, yet Gardy still didn't give him much of a look. He's one of the players I'm most hopeful will benefit from the internal change of scenery.

[dxpavelka]

  On 10/30/2014 at 11:08 AM, Thrylos said:

Hopefully the new manager and his staff start Pinto, keep Suzuki as the back up and DFA Fryer.

Unless the guy has Johnny Bench's bat I can't imagine any manager, old or new, staking his future to a guy who after 9 years of minor league ball is still nowhere near being even an average defensive catcher.  Not quite ready to say he's got Johnny Bench's bat.

[Mike Sixel]

It appeared Gardy was trying to get Suzuki his bonus money.....contrary to how Phil Hughes acted. It appears that way, based on comments. could just be that he wanted Suzuki to start a ton of games in September.

[beckmt]

Getting a player doing well his bonus money is good for the organization.  Also we were playing contenders most of September and the contending clubs deserve to have the non contenders give there best. 

Great article, shows there is hope for the future at this position.

[Mike Sixel]

No, playing young guys in a lost season to see what you have (have they improved or not) and to get them more reps is more important to the team. Hughes was pretty clear on his thoughts on that, and he agrees with me on that, actually.

[Thegrin]

Top Prospects - Catchers  >> The end of season list.

#28 – Stuart Turner – 22 – C – Ft. Myers Miracle

#31 – Mitch Garver – 23 – C – Cedar Rapids Kernels

#35 – Brian Navarreto – 19 – C – Elizabethton Twins

#39 – Jorge Fernandez – 20 – C – Elizabethton Twins

#43 – Rainis Silva - 18 – C – GCL Twins

[Thegrin]

Pinto could be a powerful major league hitter, even though his catching skills are limited..How would you like to see a lineup with Sano, Vargas, Arcia,  & Pinto.

 

One possible way to do that is by using a Pinto rotation so that

Pinto, Vargas & Mauer play 5 games out of 6.

Usually Pinto and Vargas DH unless Mauer needs a break. Mauer plays some games in LF.

 

Pinto Catches 2 times in 6 games. 
Pinto DH's 3 Times in 6 games, 

 

Vargas plays 1B 2 times in 6 games. Then 3 times in the next 6 games.
Vargas DH's 3 Times in 6 games,

 

Mauer plays 1B 4 times in 6 games.
Mauer plays LF 1 time in 6 days.

[highlander]

Don't sleep on Rainis Silva.5 years from now he will be a 24 year old BEAST ready for prime time.

[ashbury]

  On 10/30/2014 at 9:50 PM, Thegrin said:

Pinto could be a powerful major league hitter, even though his catching skills are limited..How would you like to see a lineup with Sano, Vargas, Arcia,  & Pinto....

It would bother me if my team based its lineup planning too much around how to man the DH position.  I'd rather either the DH position be manned by some stud for whom the answer is to just write his name in every day, or else the DH position be just about the last consideration when all the other roster roles have been filled.  When juggling the DH is a high priority, it means your roster is filled with slow bad defenders.

[DocBauer]

Pinto has potential still. Personally, I don't think he played all that bad the end of 2013 as the primary, unless I was missing something.

 

Suzuki has his flaws, but he's solid behind the plate, calls a good game, seems to have the trust of the guys who throw to him, and isn't anemic with the bat. Is it possible his 2 year extension was given with Turner and Garver firmly in mind? I know it's early, but from everything we hear, it seems like the Twins really pulled a couple potential gems out of that draft.

[DocBauer]

  On 10/30/2014 at 10:29 PM, highlander said:

Don't sleep on Rainis Silva.5 years from now he will be a 24 year old BEAST ready for prime time.

 

Cool thought. But honestly, I don't know anything about him. Do you have any information to share?

[TCisNotaBear]

  On 10/31/2014 at 12:26 AM, DocBauer said:

Pinto has potential still. Personally, I don't think he played all that bad the end of 2013 as the primary, unless I was missing something. Suzuki has his flaws, but he's solid behind the plate, calls a good game, seems to have the trust of the guys who throw to him, and isn't anemic with the bat. Is it possible his 2 year extension was given with Turner and Garver firmly in mind? I know it's early, but from everything we hear, it seems like the Twins really pulled a couple potential gems out of that draft.

I think they go forward with Suzuki for 2015. But it will be interesting to see what they do if two or more of; Pinto, Herrman, Turner and Garver do well next year. If so, they have to view Suzuki and/or one of the prospects as a trade piece. 

[60ft6in]

Has there been any concerns mentioned in regards to Garver having 2 concussions within a short period last year including the one that held him out of most of the Kernal's playoff run? His bat appears strong enough that could be transferable to another position...?

[highlander]

Sorry Doc no stats. I spend time in the DR, watch. There is a reason a lot of players come from there. Was on the road Tavares died on last month, sick tragedy,such a travesty.

[bird]

MLB ranked Rainis Silva as our 23rd best prospect, Turner #16.

[SwainZag]

On the Pinto front.....I really think it depends on which Suzuki shows up next season...early season Suzuki or August-October Suzuki.  If he struggles with the stick I can't see any reason not to give Pinto more reps behind the plate.