Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Red Sox Spring Training 2023: Why catcher is the biggest position battle

By Zachary McMahon

FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 13: Reese McGuire #3 of the Boston Red Sox catches during a Boston Red Sox spring training team workout on February 13, 2023 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
FT. MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 13: Reese McGuire #3 of the Boston Red Sox catches during a Boston Red Sox spring training team workout on February 13, 2023 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Boston Red Sox will be starting shortly on February 24 at JetBlue Park when they face the Northeastern Huskies baseball team. The Red Sox will be looking to get prepared for the 2023 season as they’re coming off a 78-84 record with some struggles.

One particular question mark for the Red Sox this Spring Training is at the catcher position. During the 2022 season, they lost their main catchers due to trades and signings. Christian Vazquez was traded to the Houston Astros while Kevin Plawecki was designated for assignment and signed with he Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Red Sox did not spend money on a catcher this offseason and are keeping with Connor Wong and Reese McGwire. However, the Red Sox did sign veteran Jorge Alfaro to a minor league deal and is invited to spring training.

We’ll take a look at the outlook on who would be on the 40-man roster at the position.

Reese McGuire will probably start for the Red Sox

After Vazquez got traded last season, the Red Sox quickly got Reese McGwire from a trade from the Chicago White Sox.

McGwire had a great 2nd half of the season last season with the Sox putting up a 337/.377/.500 slash line with three homers and five doubles in 36 games.

McGuire is known for his great defense and he was a benefit last season behind the plate. McGuire is projected to be the main started for the Red Sox at catcher.

Who will be the Red Sox backup Catcher?

With McGuire being the starting catcher for the Red Sox, there is a competition for the backup spot between Connor Wong and Jorge Alfaro.

Wong was a part of the Mookie Betts trade and he been playing sporadically at the major league level for the last two seasons. Wong’s career numbers are .213/.290/.361 slash line in 33 career games. Wong also hit one homer last season, which was on September 27 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Wang has the potential to be a solid backup for McGuire and even potentially the future for the Red Sox organization. He has been impressive in Triple-A Pawtucket the last two seasons when he’s not been in the Majors and he can carry it onto the team.

Meanwhile, Jorge Alfaro came from the San Diego Padres last season and also played for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Marlins. Last season, he posted a .246/.285/.383 slash line and hit five walk-off hits for the Padres.

In order for Alfaro to be successful at Spring Training and potentially make a 40-man roster spot is to work on his blocking skills, where he does have a habit of allowing a lot of passed balls.

Red Sox Buzz: Alex Verdugo’s contract year of extended value. dark. Next

This is Wong’s job to lose because while he has more experience on the Sox, Alfaro has more experience in the majors and is a candidate for taking Wong’s job as backup.

Another option for Manager Alex Cora is to have three catchers on the Opening Day roster with McGuire, Wong, and Alfaro but if another position needs depth because of injury then one of them would need to be sent down, and it would depend on the production behind the plate.

Home/Boston Red Sox