Miami Marlins Spotlight: The Catcher, J.T. Realmuto

A look at one of the Miami Marlins most important, yet most quiet players; the catcher.

J.T. Realmuto was drafted by the Miami Marlins out of high school in the 3^rd round as a shortstop. His athleticism is always a topic of discussion as not many people can go from shortstop to catcher.

Let alone a Major League catcher. When the Marlins drafted him they knew Realmuto was good, but, they had no idea he’d develop like he has.

This season Realmuto has posted a slash of .310/.350/.425. These numbers will get him into his first all-star game if he keeps it up.

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The one big question for him though has been his defense. Switching from shortstop to catcher does take a while. In the Majors we have seen the growing pains he’s had to go through.

Naturally he’ll try to pick a bad pitch instead of smothering it with his body. Through lots of hard work, he naturally will smother the ball.

Realmuto has one of the best catching arms and pop up times in the league. He’s not Yadier Molina yet but he’s trying to get on that level.

He’ll look to throw behind runners and pick up the cheap out. He’s also gunning people down on attempted steals with ease because of how fast he throws the ball.

He’s been in the top 10 twice already for runners caught stealing. This is only his fourth year in the Majors.

Being the catcher though, Realmuto will sometimes go under the radar.

The most unheralded position in baseball is usually the catcher, and in this case it’s not difference. His name doesn’t pop out to you like others on the team do.

He also is never caught doing anything out loud or on camera. Realmuto is quiet and does what he has to do to the best of his ability.

Never in any commercials or highlight shows but always gets the job done. Currently though, Realmuto is one of the corner stones of this ball club and could/should be around for many years to come.

Many ball clubs are jealous that the Marlins have a catcher who not only takes his defense seriously but can also hit the ball. Realmuto is also a rarity because of his athleticism.

His ability to steal a base as a catcher has never really been seen before. With 20 career stolen bases so far. He also has 10 career triples to put the athleticism into perspective.

Next: Representing the Fish at the 2017 All-Star Game

The Marlins TV announcers use to call him the “young, and athletic catcher” and because of those two adjectives he’ll have a long and successful career hopefully with the Fish.