Present:
2022 was a big year for the catching position for the orioles. May featured the debut of Adley Rutschman, at the time the number one ranked prospect in the minors, and he certainly lived up to the hype. Before his call up, the team rotated between Anthony Bemboom and Robinson Chirinos, sharing duties, with Chirinos staying on the roster after Adley’s call up as the primary backup.
| Name | Age | G | PA | HR | SB | BB% | K% | ISO | BABIP | AVG | OBP | SLG | wOBA | wRC+ | BsR | Off | Def | WAR |
| Rutschman | 24 | 113 | 470 | 13 | 4 | 13.80% | 18.30% | 0.191 | 0.291 | 0.254 | 0.362 | 0.445 | 0.354 | 133 | 5 | 22.4 | 13.1 | 5.3 |
| Chirinos | 38 | 67 | 220 | 4 | 1 | 8.60% | 30.50% | 0.108 | 0.248 | 0.179 | 0.265 | 0.287 | 0.251 | 61 | -1.2 | -10.9 | -11.4 | -1.6 |
| Bemboom | 32 | 22 | 59 | 1 | 0 | 10.20% | 28.80% | 0.096 | 0.147 | 0.115 | 0.207 | 0.212 | 0.196 | 22 | 0 | -5.2 | 0.4 | 0 |
As shown above, Rutschman more than held his own, earning >5 WAR in only 113 games. His defense, even with limited games, ranked second in the Majors with 18 DRS (Defensive Runs Saved). The lack of performance when he was not behind the dish certainly didn’t help the team, with less than replacement level offense and defense, and a losing record with anyone other than Adley catching. Not withstanding the low offensive numbers, Chirinos ranked third to last with -10 DRS, while Bemboom was even with 0 DRS.
Future:
The Orioles have the catcher position locked down for the next 5+ years. Rutschman should be a perennial MVP candidate with top of the line defense, unparalleled leadership, and be the face of the team as his star grows (and as he potentially approaches 8+ WAR years).
The front office does need to find a backup catcher and has seemingly started the process, with 5 additional catchers on the 40-man roster. The question now rests on whether the front office favors a defensive stalwart, offensive performance, or balance, as either focus will be an improvement on the negative WAR earned by the other catchers.
In house/minors candidates:
Cam Gallagher, picked up on September 11, 2022, on a waiver claim from the Padres, has put up a career WAR of 1.1 in the majors, playing 171 games over 6 seasons with the Royals. His WAR ranged from -0.2 to 0.5 in his seasons, only once putting up a negative WAR (-0.2) in 2022 with the Royals, and a career DRS of +11 (while putting up -2 DRS in the 2022 season).
Anthony Bemboom, started in the majors as Chirinos’ backup, and was designated once Adley was called up, staying in the organization, was added back to the 40-man roster after the season ended.
Aramis Garcia, picked up on waivers from the Reds on October 14, 2022, has put up a career WAR of -1.3 in the majors. He has steady minor league numbers, with .748 OPS in nearly 500 games.
Mark Kolozsvary, also picked up on waivers from the Reds on October 14, 2022, has put up a career WAR of 0.1 with 2022 featuring his major league debut. He has a career minor league OPS of .669.
Maverick Handley carries with him a great defensive reputation, earning co-defensive catcher honors along with Rutschman in the PAC-10 their final years in college. He has consistently put up solid offensive numbers in the minors, particularly this past season. He would appear to be the ideal in house, long term backup for Adley, though he might need another season to gain exposure to AAA before the jump to the big leagues.
| Name | LVL | Age | PA | BB% | K% | BB/K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | ISO | Spd | BABIP | wSB | wRC | wRAA | wOBA | wRC+ |
| Nottingham | AAA | 27 | 354 | 10.50% | 27.70% | 0.38 | .229 | .333 | .425 | .759 | .196 | 5.1 | .281 | 0.3 | 47 | 1 | .338 | 102 |
| Cumberland | AAA | 27 | 160 | 10.60% | 27.50% | 0.39 | .226 | .338 | .343 | .681 | .117 | 2.1 | .303 | -0.4 | 19 | -2.4 | .317 | 89 |
| Bemboom | AAA | 32 | 137 | 7.30% | 20.40% | 0.36 | .228 | .292 | .350 | .642 | .122 | 2.2 | .266 | -0.2 | 13 | -5.3 | .289 | 70 |
| Gallagher | AAA | 29 | 20 | 15.00% | 40.00% | 0.38 | .059 | .200 | .118 | .318 | .059 | 1.1 | .111 | 0 | 0 | -2.8 | .172 | -6 |
| Handley | AA | 24 | 308 | 11.70% | 20.80% | 0.56 | .236 | .352 | .417 | .769 | .181 | 4.9 | .270 | -0.2 | 44 | 5.5 | .346 | 114 |
| Roberts | AA | 26 | 274 | 9.10% | 27.40% | 0.33 | .260 | .336 | .413 | .749 | .153 | 1.4 | .344 | -0.5 | 36 | 2 | .333 | 106 |
Outside options and Free Agents:
Free agent catchers this offseason include (with ages):
Tucker Barnhart (32)
Curt Casali (34)
Jason Castro (36)
Robinson Chirinos (38)
Willson Contreras (31)
Austin Hedges (30)
Sandy Leon (34)
Omar Narvaez (31)
Roberto Perez (34)
Kevin Plawecki (32)
Austin Romine (34)
Gary Sanchez (30)
Christian Vazquez (32)
Mike Zunino (32)
What to do?
There are a number of interesting names on that list, with lots of major league experience and mixed results. A more thorough analysis can be found on MLB Trade Rumors here. A name like Mike Zunino would be an interesting possibility, coming off thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, on a one year deal to reestablish himself. Excellent defense and a potentially great bat would shore up the backup spot, but that same potential would possibly make Zunino a much more attractive candidate for teams looking for a more solid #1 catcher. Austin Hedges would be a solid add as well, carrying great defense and pitch framing, but a similar lack of offensive performance, similar to Chirinos. Zips projects a positive WAR for the next three years, and if the Orioles can live with his lack of offense, Hedges could be a solid defensive backup to MVP-hopeful Rutschman until someone like Maverick Handley is ready to take the mantle as the long-term backup.
