San Francisco Giants Have Battle for Backup Catcher’s Job on Their Hands
The San Francisco Giants are lucky to have the best catcher in baseball with Buster Posey. Their backstop is the heartbeat of the offense, and is a solid defender behind the dish. There’s no question that he’s the starter, but behind him, the Giants have two strong candidates for the backup job.
Having three major league quality catchers isn’t exactly a bad problem to have. Depth at the position is one of the most valuable things for a team to own. But unless the Giants plan on keeping three catchers on the 25-man roster, someone has to win the job.
Andrew Susac and Hector Sanchez will be competing with each other to see who dons the gear when Posey needs a rest. Both players have proven themselves as capable catchers, but which will stand out this Spring?
Sanchez opened the 2014 season as the backup, and got off to a fantastic start with the bat. On May 17th, Sanchez was batting .288, better than Posey’s .284 average at the same time. Things turned around for both guys in the ensuing months, as Posey hit .320 the rest of the way, while Sanchez scuffled to the tune of a .134 (13-for-97) for his remaining time. His season ended with an average at .196, well under the Mendoza Line , but his 28 RBI was respectable for his limited time.
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Sanchez also struggled with injuries in 2014. More specifically, he struggled with concussions. Since his debut in 2011, Sanchez has become jokingly known as a “ball-magnet,” as foul balls seem to hit his facemask more than any other backstop. In 2014, the joke was over. No one was laughing as foul ball after foul ball struck Sanchez square in the mask, leaving him with a concussion that would land him on the disabled list. While Sanchez tried to return, making a minor league rehab appearance, the same thing happened, with a foul ball hitting him, yet again, in the mask. The second concussion would sideline him for the remainder of the year.
Upon Sanchez’s absence, top catching prospect Susac was recalled to fill the void. The young man filled in admirably, playing in 35 games and hitting .273 with eight doubles, three home runs, and 19 RBI. Those numbers built off his solid start at Triple-A Fresno, where he posted a .263/.379/.451 slash-line with 10 home runs, nine doubles, and 32 RBI in 63 games.
Jul 4, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Hector Sanchez (29) catches in the bullpen prior to a game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Susac’s stellar performance in 2014 shot his stock through the roof, as he became the Giants’ number one prospect in Baseball America’s annual rankings, and was the only San Francisco player featured in the top-100 prospects in all of baseball, at 88.
So that brings us back to this year. Does the top prospect Susac win the job out of Spring, or does the more experienced Sanchez keep the job he’s held for three years running? Sanchez reported to camp in good shape, becoming one of the world famous “best shape of his life” stories. But is his body ready to handle the job again?
Concussions are nothing to be played around with, but reports from around camp is that Sanchez is ready to wear the gear again. And with the news that Tim Lincecum will be returning to the rotation, could that play a hand in who wins the job?
Sanchez has played the part of Lincecum’s personal catcher for the better part of his career, a la Henry Blanco to Greg Maddux or Doug Mirabelli to Tim Wakefield. Lincecum may be more comfortable throwing to Sanchez, due to the sense of familiarity and understanding between the two. Sanchez’s camaraderie with the enigmatic starter could play a hand in who wins the battle.
In that case, what happens to Susac? He would most likely head to Triple-A, no longer Fresno, but rather in Sacramento, where he would be the everyday catcher. If Sanchez were to falter, struggle, or, the worst-case scenario, suffer another concussion, Susac would be called up at a moment’s notice.
Of course, the reverse could happen. Susac could win the job, taking the squat every few days to give Posey a breather, or to allow him to play first base. Maybe against a tough left-handed starter, the right-handed Susac plays catcher while Posey handles first.
General Manager Brian Sabean hinted that the competition will come down to which man shows a better glove. Susac is a smooth gloveman, and while Sanchez is clunky and loud behind the dish, he also gets the job done. It’s a toss-up who wins that battle.
The depth at catcher is a good thing. Look at 2011, when the Giants were trotting out the combination of Eli Whiteside and Chris Stewart after Posey’s injury. Compared to that season, this is a blessing.