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MLB Free-Agency Preview: 2018-2019 Free Agent Catchers

By Marc Delucchi

HOUSTON, TX - JULY 10: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros hits ground ball to the catcher in the eleventh inning allowing Kyle Tucker #3 on a throwing error by Jonathan Lucroy #21 of the Oakland Athletics letting the winning run score at Minute Maid Park on July 10, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JULY 10: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros hits ground ball to the catcher in the eleventh inning allowing Kyle Tucker #3 on a throwing error by Jonathan Lucroy #21 of the Oakland Athletics letting the winning run score at Minute Maid Park on July 10, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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MLB Free Agency
Manager AJ Hinch #14 stands on the mound with Marwin Gonzalez #9 and Martin Maldonado #15 of the Houston Astros. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

#8 Martin Maldonado

Martin Maldonado began the season as the starting catcher for the Los Angeles Angels.  As I mentioned on the last slide, the Astros gave up some low-level pieces to buy themselves some insurance on McCann.  Since arriving in Houston, Maldonado has been splitting time with Max Stassi.

Maldonado’s triple-slash line won’t impress anyone: .218/.280/.329, it actually nearly mirrors McCann’s.  More surprisingly, these numbers do not stray far from Maldonado’s normal.  This season his wRC+ is only 2% lower than his career numbers (70 in 2018 to 72 for his career).

However, Maldonado made a name for himself with the glove.  He is one of the best defensive catchers in the game, before you take his well above-average framing into account, which ranks in the top 20 in baseball via Baseball Prospectus.

Maldonado offers very little offensive potential, but his defensive capabilities make him a step above Mesoraco or McCann.  Still, he is most likely headed for a high value backup role on a contender where his bat will be a non-concern.

MLB Free Agency
Marlins catcher A.J. Ellis continues to be a viable big-league backup. (Photo by Andy Hayt/San Diego Padres/Getty Images) /

#7 A.J. Ellis

A.J. Ellis did not make his major league debut until he was 27 years old with the Dodgers.  Since, Ellis has carved a career out of being a solid backup.  Father time is counting down on Ellis, set to turn 38 next year, but don’t tell Ellis that.  He is in the middle of his best season.

He has benefited from a large amount of batted-ball luck (.370 BABIP), but a .290/.403/.375 triple-slash line surely guarantees him another job next season.  While his framing leaves plenty to be desired, the standard defensive catching metrics still show Ellis as an above-average defender.

Ellis lacks the upside of the previous three but is also a surer bet, which is generally more desirable in a backup.  He lacks power (.083 iso), but his patience makes up for it (15% walk rate) and makes it less likely he will go through an extended slump.

He’ll once again land a backup job and has the tools to help a contender as well.

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