Toronto Blue Jays all-time roster: Backup catcher – Gregg Zaun (2004-2008)
In a way, Gregg Zaun may have been the prototypical backup catcher, especially based on what that role entails these days.
A player with a solid amount of pop, Zaun was the Blue Jays primary catcher during his five years with the team. he had double-digit home runs in three of his five years, with a high of 12 in just 99 games during the 2006 season. Zaun also had a solid batting eye and an ability to make contact, drawing 250 walks against 266 strikeouts in his time in Toronto.
All told, he produced a solid .255/.354/.399 batting line, hitting 45 homers and 97 doubles in his time with the Blue Jays. Those numbers may not seem impressive, but he also had only 1922 plate appearances in those five years, averaging less than 400 plate appearances a year. Given a full season as a starter, and Zaun’s numbers would have been more impressive.
Zaun was almost exactly what one looks for in a catcher on defense. While he did not have the strongest arm behind the plate, frequently lagging behind the league average in caught stealing percentage, he made up for it with his glove. He was considered to be worth 23 runs above average during his time in Toronto, giving the Blue Jays that steady defensive presence behind the plate.
The typical backup catcher has a solid glove and a bit of pop. Gregg Zaun was almost the exact definition in what teams look for behind the plate.
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