Atlanta Braves Have Catching Options in 2017
By Joshua Mayer
Anthony Recker
Current Team: Atlanta Braves
Years Controlled: 2017-2018
Career: .196/.277/.346
Salary Estimation: $800K, 2nd ARB year
We start this list with a name that won’t excite many Atlanta fans. A career .196 hitter, Recker has never played more than 58 games in a season (2014).
He finds himself on his fourth team in five season after bouncing around from the Oakland Athletics, to the Chicago Cubs, and to the Mets.
The reason for his inclusion on this list is his hot start of the season with the Braves. In 24 games Recker has slashed .277/.385/.431. This easily trumps his career numbers, so whether or not it is sustainable remains to be seen.
Recker’s numbers have been boosted by a .362 BABIP, which is most likely unsustainable for a catcher with average speed at best (three steals in 192 career games). If Recker is able to continue his hot start and improve upon it in September, he may be considered for a roster spot next season.
The chances that general manager Jon Hart slates him as the starter next year will be slim to none regardless. If he somehow channels his inner Gary Sanchez, maybe it will be a possibility, but that is highly highly doubtful for anyone, especially a catcher with a .346 career slugging percentage (Gary Sanchez has a .782 SLG).
Next: From Queens...