Being an MLB catcher is grueling work. That's not slowing this year's best on offense
Catchers are finding a way to contribute as much at the plate as behind it while withstanding the challenges that come from playing the game’s most taxing position
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Slowed by stiff knees and bruised by foul balls and backswings, major league catchers have long been defined by what they do defensively — even if it hinders them on offense. Perhaps because of the universal designated hitter and strategic changes like one-knee squatting, that might be changing.
Major league catchers have an average OPS of .691 through Wednesday, not far from the league-wide average of .697 for players at all positions. A season hasn't ended with catchers having a higher average OPS than the league-wide mark since 1879. The closest it's come to happening since 1900 was in 1977, when catchers were at .733 while the league average was .741.
“When you have a young group of catchers like we do in our game right now, talented catchers in our game right now, you’re going to see this,” said Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who caught in the majors from 2012-22. “The catching position is probably as good as it’s been in years, for sure.”
Leading the way are Kansas City's Salvador Perez (.923), Milwaukee's William Contreras (.903), the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith (.876), Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman (.815), Philadelphia's J.T. Realmuto (.781) and Colorado’s Elias Díaz (.774). No catcher has ended a year with an OPS of .900 or higher with at least 502 plate appearances since San Francisco’s Buster Posey at .957 in 2012.
