Catching up with Twins catchers at spring training
February 13, 2019 at 3:01AM
Pitchers and catchers report Wednesday in Fort Myers. A look at the Twins catchers in camp:
Jason Castro, 31: The No. 1 catcher until sidelined by season-ending knee surgery in mid-May. In the final season of a three-year, $24.5 million contract. A lefthanded hitter with a .231 lifetime batting average, .311 on-base percentage and .386 slugging percentage, he is strong defensively. All-Star with Houston in 2013.
Mitch Garver, 28: Took over as the starter following Castro's injury and had a slash line of .268/.335/.414. Righthanded hitter with some pop, could platoon with Castro, but not in his league defensively.
Willians Astudillo, 27: Caught in 16 of the 29 major league games he played last season. Intriguing pudgy fan favorite will try to make the team as a utility player. Righty rarely strikes out or walks, hit .355/.371/.516 in 93 at-bats.
Tomas Telis, 27: Has played in 122 major league games for Texas and Miami over the past five seasons (.230/.267/.298). Switch hitter has a minor league contract.
Others: Like Telis, three other catchers who have minor league deals were invited to major league camp to share work duty. None of the three — Wynston Sawyer, 27; Brian Navarreto, 24; or Ben Rortvedt, 21 — has played in the majors. Rortvedt is the team's second-round draft choice in 2016 out of Verona, Wis.
CHRIS MILLER
about the writer
Only 34 years old, Jeremy Zoll has worked his way up the organizational ranks since coming to the Twins in 2018.
