Chicago White Sox: Who will emerge as the backup catcher?
Seby Zavala’s impact on the Chicago White Sox could go beyond 2021.
Seby Zavala is the dark horse candidate in the race for the backup catcher title. But don’t sleep on him. Zavala received a shoutout from Tony La Russa on Wednesday. Zavala dipped his toes in the major leagues last season, playing in five games and recording his first major league hit.
It was a long road to the show for Zavala. He made his professional debut with the Arizona League White Sox in 2015. He spent the entire season there until being promoted to Annapolis Intimidators in 2016. The promotion was thanks in part to a .326/.401/.628 slash line.
He spent two seasons with the Intimidators and posted a combined .282 average with 21 home runs and 72 RBI and a .851 OPS. He finally received an invite to spring training in 2018 and started the season with the Double-A Birmingham Barons and ended the season with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. He was added to the 40-man roster after the season. Finally, he was called up following an injury to Wellington Castillo.
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The odds of him making the team are slim but now is an opportunity for him to take a step forward and improve his value within the organization.