Chicago White Sox: Season preview of starting catchers
Season Roster Preview starts with an in-depth analysis of the projected White Sox catchers that will be on the 26-man roster March 26.If any team knows what it is like to have a consistent hole in their lineup at the catcher position, it is the Chicago White Sox. With the names Tyler Flowers, Omar Narvaez, Kevan Smith and Dioner Navarro in the lineup, the runs will not be pouring in.
Ever since 2012, A.J. Pierzysnki’s last year with the White Sox, there has been an anchor behind the plate weighing down the rest of the lineup. Until 2019, when an unlikely name who came from an unlikely team came out of nowhere and delivered a stellar performance. He even made the All-Star team, something no White Sox catcher has done since A.J. back in 2006.
After this player’s 2019, it was clear the White Sox were planning for him to be the everyday catcher for a long time. With a promising prospect staying in the back of the organization’s head, the catching core the team built seemed solid enough to compete with contenders. Solid enough was not good enough for General Manager Rick Hahn. Not only did the White Sox sign the best catcher on the market, according to MLB Network, but the team also signed the best catcher in all of baseball.
Moving forward, the team will not have a void in the catchers slot. The depth consists of a proven all-star who is a leader, an up-and-comer who is beginning his prime and a hopeful prospect who has tremendous potential. It seems as if the team has never had this strong of a catching core in their history.
Yasmani Grandal
Of course, the big-name free agent mentioned is Yasmani Grandal. Inking a four year $73 million deal, the 31-year-old not only provides the ability to mentor the breaking out players and the coming-up prospects but can put up some pretty sick numbers himself.
Grandal was drafted by the Reds 12th overall in 2010, but he would never play a game for them in the majors as he was involved in a blockbuster trade and sent him to San Diego. The trade sent Yonder Alonso, Brad Boxberger, Edinson Volquez and Grandal to the Padres in exchange for Mat Latos, who would later spend a year with the White Sox
It took Grandal a couple of years to break out in the majors, but right when he really exploded, he was traded to the Dodgers. After four years in LA, Grandal decided to test the market and enter the free agency. He signed a one year deal with the Brewers. For $18 million, the Brewers got an All-Star catcher who recorded an on-base percentage of .380, slugged .468, hit 28 home runs, walked 109 times and finished 15th in MVP voting.
Grandal has never been a hit-for-contact player. The highest batting average he has recorded was .247 in 2017 then .246 last year (min. 115 games). What makes him sought after is his power. He never had a slugging percentage below .400, Grandal consistently drives the ball. The number of home runs he has hit since 2016 is as follows: 27, 22, 24, 28.
He provides a different approach to the plate which is patience. White Sox players have struggled in the area of hanging back and working counts. Coming off his 109 walk season, Grandal is a guaranteed .370 or higher OBP player who will hit at least 25 home runs and slug above .400.
That is just what he can do on the field. Off the field, Grandal is expected to be a team leader that can help his teammates find their own success in the majors along with being able to maintain his. This signing also helps out more than just the catching core. Starting pitcher Lucas Giolito has already expressed his excitement to work with Grandal. The addition of Grandal not only helps the team’s current state but strengthens the infrastructure of the organization for years to come.
James McCann
Ever since entering the league in 2014 with the Detroit Tigers, James McCann has never quite been able to find success. Having a career batting average of .240 after five years, both McCann and the Tigers needed a change and decided to part ways after his contract expired in 2018.
McCann then signed a one year deal with division rival White Sox. For just $2.5 million, the Sox definitely got their money’s worth. He had an insane first half. On May 12, his batting average was .382. He entered the All-Star break with a .316 average and earned his first All-Star selection. Despite cooling off in the second half, only having a .226 average, McCann still ended his 2019 strong.
Hitting career highs in almost every category, it is safe to say McCann finally broke out and emerged as the player he was expected to be in Detroit. After his .273/.328/.460, 18 home run, a 26 double season, he and the White Sox avoided arbitration. For just one year and $5.4 million, many expect McCann to be used as a potential trade piece come the deadline.
With an established star in Grandal and high expectations for a prospect behind him, McCann is left in the middle. Despite his strong chemistry with the starting rotation, specifically mentioning Giolito, McCann could very well be traded. Especially since he just signed the last arbitration deal he qualifies for. Becoming an unrestricted free agent after this season, it would be foolish to let McCann walk, especially considering he may have just entered his prime.
It would be a shame to see McCann dealt. He could always be extended a year or two, but it is in his best interest to test the market if he is not offered an extension or if he feels he could get more with another team. Ignoring the teary-eyed part in all of this, the bright side is that in 2020, the White Sox will have one of the best catching duos in the league.
McCann is capable of hitting somewhere between .270-.300, at least 15 home runs and driving in about 45-60 RBIs. He will also continue to build a strong relationship with this young rotation depth and remain one of the league’s best framers.
Zack Collins
Ever since he was drafted 10th overall in 2016, all eyes have been on Zack Collins. At the time, the White Sox’s catching core was nowhere near the same level it currently is at, which is good for him. Before McCann and Grandal, Collins was expected to be the team’s everyday-starting catcher from about 2019 and beyond. Well, they got the 2019 part right, but the presence of those two alleviates the massive amount of pressure that was placed on Collins and his rate of development.
While McCann was going off in 2019, Collins was promoted to the majors in June. After two months and 26 at-bats, things got scary. He was hitting a frightful .077/.226/.192 slash. He recorded his first home run and RBI in the first game he started, but would not record another hit until July 13. After the game he got that second hit, he was sent back down to Triple-A Charlotte.
He used that time to find his swing back and he did. He ended the Triple-A season hitting a slash of .282/.403/.548. He hit 19 home runs and drove in 74 in 88 games at Charlotte. This earned him a spot on the White Sox September roster. Throughout September, Collins started 18 games. He may not have ended his 2019 glamorously, but he did finish with a .307 OBP and .349 slugging percentage.
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His .186 average is still way lower than one would have hoped for, but considering he paired that with his .307 OBP means he is taking walks, working counts and seeing more pitches. When it comes down to it, that is all you hope for in a prospect who is the third catcher on your team. Collins may bounce around from Triple-A and the MLB again this year, but the expansion to 26 players on a roster could have created a chance for him to squeeze himself onto the bench, provided he has a strong Spring training.