Pitchers and catchers are in full swing at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. The arms are on the on-ramp, preparing for game action, and the catchers are working diligently—the catcher position of one of the areas in question as the spring inches closer.
Yankees Catchers To Showcase this Spring Training
The Yankees rolled with two main catchers last season. 2024 employed Austin Wells and Jose Trevino at the backstop.
Trevino was second string to Wells last season. Both catchers platooned behind the plate: Trevino with 74 games played and Wells with 115.
Trevino’s .990 fielding percentage was satisfactory on the defense, but his offensive side was not very productive.
The seven-year veteran catcher finished 2024 with a .215/.288/.354 over 234 plate appearances. In December 2024, Trevino was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for two players, one of those being one of the various catchers competing in the spring camp.
Austin Wells Leads the Yankees As One of the Main Catchers on the Active Roster
Wells will capture one of the biggest tasks of his career. He’s going to be the Yankees’ starting catcher every day. The young Yankee only has two full seasons in the big leagues.
The Yankees loved this kid so much that they drafted him twice, in 2018 and 2020.
His performance in 2024 was average but effective as an offensive catcher. He only hit .229 with a .322 on-base percentage and a .395 slugging percentage. Wells recorded 81 hits, 55 RBIs, and 13 home runs.
His projections for 2025 are very similar to 2024, with a slight improvement on the offensive side. His direction behind the plate must stay polished with Yankees starters.
What a play, @wellsius16
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— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 16, 2025
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C Alex Jackson
Jackson was one of the two players sent back to the Yankees in the Trevino trade. Jackson played his 2024 season with the Tampa Bay Rays before signing a minor league contract in November. He is one of various catchers fighting for a spot at spring training.
Jackson only played in 58 games last season with 139 at-bats. His numbers were not impressive, with a slash of .122/.201/.237.
He had 17 hits, three home runs, and 12 RBIs. He’s projected to remain a minor leaguer but has the platform in March to prove people wrong.
C Omar Martinez
Martinez had resigned on a minor league contract with the Yankees. He’s been with the organization since 2018. He has six seasons in the minors and one foreign season. Martinez spent time in the Dominican Summer League until he flipped back and forth to the rookie league.
In 2024, Martinez was promoted to high-A Hudson Valley, where he improved his game. 83 hits, 53 runs, 13 home runs, and 41 RBIS in 349 at-bats. He recorded .238/.374/.404.
Martinez is also a minor leaguer who will have the stage to re-display his traits and abilities as a catcher. He is protected on the 40-man roster and may be available for a call-up.
C J.C Escarra
Escarra signed with the Yankees organization in January 2024, where he reported directly to triple-A Scranton-Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. He was last drafted in 2017 by the Baltimore Orioles.
Escarra is projected to be second to Wells in the Bronx this season. His experience and development have put him in a good spot for being second string.
Although his numbers aren’t far off from the other catchers attending spring training, he’s slated these numbers in the highest levels of the minor leagues.
Between double-A and triple-A in 2024, Escarra totaled 77 runs, 111 hits, 35 extra-base hits, 12 home runs, 64 RBIs, and a slash of .261/.355/.434.
His spring training stint will be one to focus on in selecting catchers for the 25-man active roster.
Main Photo Credits: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
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