MLB: Underrated Players That Deserve More Credit

J.T. Realmuto

J.T. Realmuto is a young stud, and the 25-year-old catcher is arguably one of the best backstops in the league, yet nobody seems to give him the credit he deserves. Standing in the shadow of Buster Posey, Realmuto wasn’t rewarded with any accolades, and quite frankly overlooked as one of baseball’s best catchers. Realmuto has the unique blend of great fielding alongside great hitting. At the catcher spot nowadays it seems to be one or the other. We have guys like Salvador Perez who are fantastic fielders but mediocre hitters. Then we have guys like Yasmani Grandal who are great power hitters but just average at fielding. Realmuto possesses the dual threat, something that arguably only Jonathan Lucroy and Buster Posey also possess.

Also according to fWAR, Realmuto ranked as the third best catcher in the league behind only Posey and Lucroy. Realmuto had the third best batting average among qualified catchers, the most stolen bases, and the fourth best fielding. While he lacks a ton of power, at such a young age that can only progress. He has shown that he is able to hit the baseball at the big league level, and the power will only develop as his hitting ability does.

Realmuto undoubtedly has the numbers to be an All-Star catcher, and at 25 years old he is such a promising young talent. Realmuto will see himself grow in Miami and contribute to a potential playoff push alongside the likes of Giancarlo Stanton and Dee Gordon. With Buster Posey potentially moving to first in the future, Molina only getting older, and Lucroy now in the AL, Realmuto may be the best catcher in the NL in a very short time.