Behind the Dish: Twins Catchers in 2021

Just roll with Garver and Jeffers...

What do you do with Astudilo as well?  He had a few good months 2 years ago but since then hasn't hit.  His defense behind the plate isn't very good, he doesn't walk and he doesn't have a lot of power.

The position flexibility is nice but I believe he is out of options in 2021. 

Is it a for gone conclusion that we are moving on from him in 2021.  I always thought he was a neat 3rd catcher with the ability to put the ball in play consistently and play multiple positions. 

There's an arguement to be made for Avilla, or someone similar, for all the reasons previously stated, including just depth. This may be more true if the roster remains expanded next year.

But you can't have Avilla back for anything close to what he made last season.

Good bye Avila - it is the only thing that makes sense to me.  Three catchers is just too much luxury for the team. As much fun as Astudillo has been his story has gotten old, and yet I see him still retained as the third option. 

Who else is there in prospect land and when can they come to the majors. 

I pictured Ben Rortvedt being a possible swing catcher. Needs another year in the minors. Is Caleb Hamilton in the mix as an emergency callup?

I'm sure the Twins could always sign Drew Butera for AAAA depth.

Who else is there in prospect land and when can they come to the majors. 

 

I pictured Ben Rortvedt being a possible swing catcher. Needs another year in the minors. Is Caleb Hamilton in the mix as an emergency callup?

Is Tomás Telis still in the Twins system? A new backup catcher doesn't need to be a young prospect. Telis could probably handle the backup gig if Astudillo and Avila left. 

The article notes that Garver just finished his fourth season as an argument that he's still relatively early in his major-league career, but even that overstates his experience a bit, since he spent a lot of 2017 season in the minors.

With the offense the Twins have when healthy, they can afford less offense from the catching position. I would keep all 3 if Avila is willing to take less than 2 million (I don't see another team paying him even that much). Garver will bounce back to a .280, 20 home run season in 120 games and Jeffers can fill in for 25 games. Avila is a good catcher, an insurance policy, experience for the younger players and a left handed bat against the tougher righties. All is dependent on health and whether there is a full season.

"We’ve already seen him play in pressure situations- the Twins should take their time in grooming the young star."

And what did we see in those pressure situations that make us think he needs "grooming time?"

JcS

 Garver will bounce back to a .280, 20 home run season in 120 games 

You may be right. 

You may not be. 

Because of the 2020 performance, I believe the Twins need to spend some time (and maybe money) thinking about plan B if this doesn't happen. 

JcS

The original post says there is a benefit to carrying three (true) catchers.

What is it?

I see the benefit to carrying three when the third has positional flexibility, but none otherwise.

Experience? A bullpen catcher or  coach can fill that role.

I think every team has 1-2 journeymen in AAA in the event of injury/emergency.

That should be the Twins' focus too.

Austudillo is a fun puzzle piece, but he's not the answer to a specific position.

Carry Jeffers and Garver and let them battle each other for playing time. Have a grizzled, glove-first backup with the ability to hit their weight on call just in case of injury or if Jeffers has a bad Spring Training.

I don't see Turtle on next year's roster. Or Avila. One of them has to go.

I recall Gardy always wanted three catchers right?  While I see the utility of it is this a common thing to do?  And of all the playoff teams the last few years I wonder how many of them used up three roster spots on catchers?

Is Tomás Telis still in the Twins system? A new backup catcher doesn't need to be a young prospect. Telis could probably handle the backup gig if Astudillo and Avila left. 

 

The article notes that Garver just finished his fourth season as an argument that he's still relatively early in his major-league career, but even that overstates his experience a bit, since he spent a lot of 2017 season in the minors.

One issue is not service time - it is age

Garver and Jeffers handle the active roster. Two AAAA guys handle Rochester. Austudillo is released.

Jeffers was a very nice surprise. I wouldn’t get too down on Garver. Garver did look bad at times this year, but I’ll bet he’s the type of player who really benefits from a full spring training to work on his skills and swings. Next year he’ll have that again.

This would read better if you did not use the qualifier - "at times"

"We’ve already seen him play in pressure situations- the Twins should take their time in grooming the young star."

And what did we see in those pressure situations that make us think he needs "grooming time?"

JcS

The Twins had Telis at Rochester in 2019. He produced. They brought him in for the taxi squad. They carried him on the road for emergency. He has MLB experience. But they chose Jeffers when injury hit. That should be all that needs to be said. SSS or not, he looked good and the Twins like him a TON.

I'd still like a AAAA catcher available. Not sure who that might be. Again, maybe Avilla with an invite and holding on. Maybe someone else. Despite some some bad games here and there, some poor performances at the plate mixed with some good ones, I'm OK with Astudillo as one of the options, though I'm not sure he's on the 40 man going forward. Healthy, head in the game, he HAS played at least OK defense and hit. But I would like that extra option for depth and experience available since Rortvedt is going to be at least a year away.

His 62 plate appearances is what makes us think he needs "grooming time." He did quite well in his first taste of the bigs, no doubt. Above and beyond expectations for sure. To expect him to do that for 120+ games now that the league has tape on him would be poor team management.

 

So, it wasn't anything we saw, it's what we think we'll see. 

And I'm not arguing with you, I just didn't see anything to put my finger on that said "this guy isn't fully ready."   I agree that teams will have better scouting reports--any number of rookies have faced that problem--but Jeffers will also (presumably) have another spring training under his belt to work on whatever OUR scouts are seeing. 

JcS

I think Jeffers will no doubt stick next season at the big league level. The small sample of his hitting we saw this fall looks very promising, especially for a catcher. However, over the winter and during spring training he needs to work on his catching. Ryan's pitching framing he is ok (I know some say it's great but I'm not sure about that), but blocking and throwing out runners is another story. He's a big guy and his mobility behind the plate is limited, he is not great sliding right or left on errant pitches. Pitches that other catchers block and save end up wild pitches when Jeffers is in there. His pop time looks very slow and his arm is not strong. He almost throws the ball to second with the arch to the trajectory. He only threw out 2 of 16 runners (12.5%) at the MLB level, and his minor league numbers are similar. Teams will figure that out quickly and run on him. Both of these deficient areas can be fixed with time and work. Jeffers bat is more than solid for the position at the MLB level, now he just has to work on the fielding. His future looks bright. 

Just roll with Garver and Jeffers...

Really don't see the issue here.... Garver and Jeffers both home grown .... quality catchers and cheap. Astudilo at AAA or on the bench as a ulility guy. Next issue....