2017 Red Wings Preview: Catcher

Josh Whetzel
WINGIN’ IT
Published in
3 min readFeb 16, 2017
Mitch Garver takes a hack

After looking over the Red Wings infield possibilities for 2017, our focus will shift to behind the plate. Catcher is obviously a crucial position for any team. Who are the guys who will man that critical spot this year? For starters, the Red Wings MLB affiliate will have a new starting backstop in Minnesota. Jason Castro signed as a free agent with the Twins this offseason and will replace Kurt Suzuki as the Twins everyday catcher. The backup job to Castro is up for grabs. Whoever doesn’t land that backup spot to begin the season, will likely start the year with the Wings. Here are the candidates:

Mitch GarverThe Albuquerque native made his Red Wings debut in 2016 and impressed by hitting .329 with a .381 OBP in 22 games. He also performed solidly behind the plate. The Twins supposedly questioned Garver’s defensive chops when they drafted him in 2013, but he has worked very hard on that side of his game. Now, the 26-year-old looks like a legit catcher who can also hit. (He ripped 11 HR in 95 games in Double-A.) Baseball America ranks Garver the Twins #17 prospect which — in my humble opinion — is too low.

Chris GimenezThe Twins new braintrust — Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey and General Manager Thad Levine — both have a history with Gimenez during the catcher’s prior time with Cleveland (Falvey) and Texas (Levine). That familiarity is likely a big reason they signed him to a Minor League deal with a chance to compete for the Twins backup job. Gimenez (pronounced JIH-muh-nehz) has significant IL experience with Buffalo, Columbus and Durham. He also is apparently well regarded for his ability to work with pitchers much like the new Twins starting catcher Castro.

John Ryan MurphyThe former Yankee opened last year as the Twins backup backstop before a May demotion to the Red Wings. He hit .236 in Rochester, and was one of the Wings best clutch hitters batting .347 with runners in scoring position. Plus, the Red Wings were an excellent 51–25 when Murphy started behind the plate. Wings pitchers lauded Murphy’s ability to call pitches. (Interesting John Ryan Murphy trivia: he was the Yankees catcher when Mariano Rivera threw his final MLB pitch.)

Dan RohlfingThis is the popular former Red Wing’s second stint in the Twins system after they signed him to an offseason deal. After catching in Rochester much of 2013 and 2014, Rohlfing has spent most of the last two seasons in the other Triple-A league…the Pacific Coast League. While with the Red Wings, Rohlfing even picked up a save on the mound!

Eddy RodriguezThe 31-year-old veteran Rodriguez is no stranger to the International League having caught for Durham in 2014 and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2015 and 2016. He actually has even spent time as a Minor League coach already with the Red Sox. Front offices have raved about how great Rodriguez is with younger players and working within the community which makes sense considering his remarkable background as a Cuban defector.

One of those lucky guys above will start 2017 with the Twins in Minnesota. Two or three from that list will likely begin this season with the Red Wings. It should be a fun battle to watch in Spring Training. Either way, the Red Wings — and their pitchers — should be in good hands behind the plate.

In our next post, we will check out possible outfielders for the Red Wings.

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Published in WINGIN’ IT

Official Blog of the Rochester Red Wings — Triple-A Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins

Written by Josh Whetzel

Play-By-Play Broadcaster Rochester Red Wings

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