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Miami Marlins Spring Training Preview: The Catchers

By Kevin Kraczkowski

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Jorge Alfaro #38 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a three run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 18, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 5-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 18: Jorge Alfaro #38 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a three run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 18, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 5-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Miami Marlins
MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 26: Bryan Holaday #28 of the Miami Marlins throws towards first base during the fifth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on August 26, 2018 in Miami, Florida. All players across MLB will wear nicknames on their backs as well as colorful, non-traditional uniforms featuring alternate designs inspired by youth-league uniforms during Players Weekend. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Bryan Holaday

Bryan Holaday seems to have the inside track on the primary backup roster spot due to his 2018 track record. Last season, he hit only .205/.261/.258 as the number two catcher, giving Realmuto a break approximately once per week, but that’s not the whole story.

Defensively, Holaday, now 31, led the National League by throwing out 45 percent of baserunners trying to steal, 17 times in 38 tries. He caught 357 1/3 innings without an error, and handled all of those pitches with only one passed ball. This sort of defensive excellence should be rewarded with a roster position. The Miami Marlins signed Holaday with the intention of getting a solid backup catcher, and in 2018, that’s just what they got. He can do the same in 2019.

Miami Marlins
MIAMI, FL – SEPTEMBER 23: Chad Wallach #17 of the Miami Marlins hits a home run in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Marlins Park on September 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Chad Wallach

Chad Wallach was the Miami Marlins third catcher last season, and didn’t get significant playing time until September. Now 28, Wallach went eight-for-45 at the plate for the Miami Marlins last season, with one home run and five RBI. Disconcertingly, he struck out in nearly 50 percent of his plate appearances, 23 times in 52.

I wrote back in October:

"Wallach is a solid backup catcher, mainly for his unquestionably sound defensive prowess. In addition to his rifle of a right arm, he’s also blessed with quick feet, is great pitch framer, an excellent pitch caller, and knows how to position himself when there’s a play at the plate."

Wallach threw out three-of-seven trying to steal, in keeping with the trend of Marlins catching defensive prowess from top-to-bottom. He finished with one error in 121 2/3 innings, like Holaday allowing only one passed ball.

The state of Marlins catching leaves four more on the outside trying to get in.

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