Atlanta Braves find catching depth after all

The Atlanta Braves had to quickly move on to Plan B on Friday. Tyler Flowers, who had been signed to a minor league contract on May 6, announced his retirement due to degenerative discs in his back. With the Braves’ catching depth already thin due to injury, Flowers’ retirement, while understandable, was a significant blow.

It did not take long to find a replacement. The Braves signed former All Star Jonathan Lucroy to a minor league deal, providing desperately needed depth.

Atlanta Braves find catching depth after all

Lucroy is not the same player he had once been. His once solid bat has become a shell of itself, as he has posted a .248/.315/.350 batting line with 18 homers and 52 doubles in 1263 plate appearances from 2017 through 2020. As he will turn 35 in another month, it was fair to wonder if he had anything left to offer.

But Lucroy gave some reason for hope during his brief stint with the Nationals this season. Signed after the team was decimated by COVID, he notched five hits, including a double, in 14 plate appearances, striking out twice. He appeared as though he may have something left in the tank.

It may not take long for Lucroy to return to the majors. Jeff Mathis is currently the Braves’ backup to William Contreras, a glove first backstop who has never had much of a bat. If Lucroy shows that he still has something left, he could find his way to Atlanta as Contreras’ backup.

Lucroy could also be key to Contreras’ development defensively. Although his pitch framing is not what it once was, or close to Flowers’ level, he can help teach Contreras the finer arts of stealing strikes. This signing could pay off, not just this year, but in the future as well.

The Atlanta Braves needed catching depth after Tyler Flowers abruptly retired. They found that depth with Jonathan Lucroy, signing him to a minor league deal.