Twins position breakdown: catcher
Oct. 29—The Twins entered the 2021 season with questions about how they would utilize both Mitch Garver and Ryan Jeffers to get the most out of the catching duo. They enter the 2022 offseason with similar questions.
A planned 50-50 playing time split didn't work out as imagined. First, Jeffers was sent back to Triple-A as both players slumped in April. Then, Garver suffered two separate injuries that held him out of action for prolonged periods.
Could the Twins try to run back that arrangement in 2022? Or would they consider dealing a catcher, more likely Garver, to help fill other needs?
2021 RECAP
At the time the Twins decided to send Jeffers back to Triple-A in late April, the rookie was hitting .147 with a .216 on-base percentage and .176 slugging percentage. Things were a little better for Garver, who was hitting .172 with a .213 OBP and .431 slugging percentage, though just barely.
In the month between Jeffers' demotion and Garver's first injury, a groin contusion which required emergency surgery and held him out of action for around seven weeks, the veteran catcher took off, posting a 1.001 OPS.
Garver wound up only playing in 68 games during the season, between the groin injury and later a back issue, but when healthy, he performed, finishing the year with a 140 OPS+.
Because of Garver's injuries, Jeffers wound up seeing most of the playing time behind the plate, playing in 85 games.
While Jeffers hit just .199 with a .270 on-base percentage and .401 slugging percentage and struck out in nearly 37 percent of all plate appearances, the rookie did hit 14 home runs and believes there's more where that came from, saying near the end of the season that he thinks he can be a 30-homer guy.
Along with those two, the Twins also got their first look at rookie Ben Rortvedt, a defense-first backstop with a strong arm. Utility player Willians Astudillo also saw some time there, though it was sparingly.
2022 OUTLOOK
It's possible the Twins head into the 2022 season with both Garver and Jeffers behind the plate. After all, it's the most grueling position on the field and considering the physical demands of the position, essentially having two "regular" catchers who are both expected to provide offense provides a nice cushion if one does happen to get injured.
Garver put up a 2.1 WAR (per Baseball Reference) in limited action in 2021, rebounding from a tough 2020 season, and the Twins are well aware of the offensive threat he can be when healthy. Jeffers, who is thought of often as the Twins' catcher of the future, encountered a steep learning curve last season after essentially skipping the high minors, and he should be expected to take another step forward in his development.
The Twins could also opt to trade one of them, clearing the path for the other to have a bit more regular playing time. Before the season ended, Garver, who is older, more established and has less team control remaining, admitted he thinks about the possibility of being traded often.
As for Astudillo, who has become a fan favorite over the past few years, the Twins no longer appear to view him as a catcher except in rare instances. And with no minor-league options remaining, his tenure in Minnesota could possibly be reaching its conclusion soon.
IN THE PIPELINE
The Twins don't currently have any catchers ranked among their top 30 prospects per Baseball America, but they do have Rortvedt, a second-round draft pick in 2016, who now has a taste of the majors under his belt.
While Rortvedt's bat doesn't match his defense, and he would likely be ticketed for Triple-A to begin the year if the Twins hang on to both Garver and Jeffers, expect to see him at some point during the 2022 season.
This is the third story in a series that looks at each position for the Twins, reflecting on the 2021 season and looking ahead to 2022.
