MLB Players: Top 10 catchers entering 2020
7. Christian Vazquez, Boston Red Sox
It finally happened! After years of waiting Christian Vazquez finally broke out for the Boston Red Sox and became a viable offensive catcher. His defense always played but his offense was never good enough to even hold water, and so the Red Sox ended up going with Sandy Leon for most of the past few years with Vazquez in a complementary role.
But in 2019 we finally got the well-rounded catcher that the Red Sox have been touting forever, Vazquez slashed .276/.320/.477 while providing great defense saving 12 runs with his framing alone.
With Mookie Betts departed and the short-term future of the Red Sox up in the air, they would be set up much better if Vazquez can continue this breakout and continue being a threat at the plate. It would make their lineup more balanced and not so reliant on JD Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers at the top.
What changed with Vazquez is, and stop me if you heard this one before, he hit the ball harder and in the air more than he had previously in his career.
What’s concerning about Vazquez is that this is the first year he’s been an offensive threat so we have to see if it translates, but as long as he keeps hitting the ball hard he should be alright. Plus as stated previously defense doesn’t really erode.
6. Omar Narvaez, Milwaukee Brewers
Speaking of breakout seasons, Narvaez had one of his one for the Seattle Mariners, which prompted the Brewers to trade for him over the Winter.
While playing half his games in the cavern that is Safeco Field Narvaez hit .278/.353/.460 and hit a career-high 22 home runs. Admittedly his defense isn’t great but according to multiple reports Narvaez has been committed to working on his defense and becoming less of a liability.
The Brewers aren’t going to replace Yasmani Grandal completely but Narvaez isn’t a bad option, plus in the much more hitter-friendly park that is Miller Park his offensive numbers could even increase some.
Narvaez doesn’t have an astronomical strikeout rate of about 19% and a decent walk rate of 10% so he makes good contact. It is interesting that he hit 22 homers while only making hard contact about 22% of the time (thank you juiced balls!) but with his good bat-to-ball skills and far more protection than he ever had in Seattle Narvaez could take another step forward at the plate.