Addressing the Milwaukee Brewers Options at Catcher

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Aug 2, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Martin Maldonado (12) looks on during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

The Milwaukee Brewers traded away the best catcher in their history just a week ago. I know it hurts. And the decrease in production behind the dish will be noticeable, but the Crew still has many options at the position. So let’s have a look at those players and what they would bring to the position.

The placement of the catchers below are more based on their current organizational position than my feelings on their individual values.

OPTION 1: Martín Maldonado || MLB plate appearances: 969 || MLB OPS: .635

Defensive reputation: very good

Nearly every mention of Maldy must begin by referencing the canon he calls his right arm. But the longtime Brewer also has a great reputation for calling games and pitch-framing.

Also in Maldy’s favor is that 2016 is an even year, which, if history is any indication, means he will be near league-average with the bat. His wRC+ (100 is league average) in even years, starting in 2012, are 97, 96, and this year, 78. In odd years, those numbers drop to 38 and 52.

Even/odd year silliness aside, the large fluctuations in his numbers make his offensive value tough to nail down, but he’s likely a slightly better hitter than his career numbers imply. Maldonado turns 30 this month and for the time being looks like a solid, defense-first starting catcher.

Next: Who's Option 2?

OPTION 2: Manny Piña || MLB plate appearances: 23 || MLB OPS: .668

Defensive reputation: very good (as of 2012)

It’s hard to say with certainty how good Piña is as a defender without current scouting reports, but he was rated the best defensive catcher in the Royals farm system in both 2011 and 2012. Of course, that was years ago, but at the very least he hasn’t lost his ability to toss out would-be basestealers, nabbing 38% in AAA this season.

The most intriguing aspect of Piña’s game is his recent improvements at the plate. Of course, spending half his season in Colorado has played a part, with the catcher posting a .984 OPS in home games, though he has still been a capable hitter away (.787 OPS).

Additionally, Piña was excellent with the AAA Toledo Mud Hens in 2015, slashing .305/.379/.461 with 7 home runs in just 292 plate appearances. Having essentially a full season (554 PA) of success between ’15 and ’16 gives Piña a relatively trustworthy résumé offensively. Particularly, since the catcher has 40 doubles and 12 home runs over that time.

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And while an inflated BABIP (.348) has certainly played a part in his success over his last two AAA seasons, Piña has little left to prove in the minors, and could very well be league average on offense.

Unfortunately, Piña turned 29 in June, and minor league journeymen sometimes face limited chances at breaking into the Major League scene.

Overall, Piña looks like he could be a balanced option at catcher, but aging is a constant concern with catchers, particularly offensively, whether that’s fair or not.

Next: Who's Option 3?

OPTION 3: Andrew Susac || MLB plate appearances: 243 || MLB OPS: .716

Defensive reputation: average/above-average

Susac joined the organization in the Will Smith trade with the San Francisco Giants, and what a trade it was. The Brewers not only got a high-upside pitcher, but their heir apparent at catcher.

Susac was the Giants top prospect prior to the 2015 season, but was naturally blocked at catcher by 2012 NL MVP Buster Posey. Susac spent limited time in the Majors in both 2014 and 2015 to modest offensive results, and has spent the entirety of 2016 in the minor leagues.

He may never hit for average, but scouts seem to agree on Susac’s projection of league average power, defense, and above-average arm. The 26 year old is under team control through the 2021 season, making him an attractive option for a team now lacking a standout talent behind the dish.

Next: Who's Option 4?

OPTION 4: Josmil Pinto || MLB plate appearances: 280 || MLB OPS: 784

Defensive reputation: very poor (as of 2014)

If Pinto was even a passable defender behind the plate, he would likely still be catching for the Minnesota Twins. Unfortunately, his defense in his most recent stint in the Majors in 2014 was met with harsh criticism.

That season, he allowed 20 stolen bases at the Major League level, and caught zero would-be basestealers. The link above also labels Pinto as the worst pitch-framer of 2014 and features a particularly blunt assessment of the catcher’s abilities from then-Twins closer, Glen Perkins. He was quoted saying that Pinto is “surely not at the big-league level as far as catching for me.”

That says essentially everything that needs to be said about Pinto. His offensive performance has always been well above-average for a catcher, but teams are understandably reluctant to use a backstop that pitchers openly dislike throwing to.

However, Pinto does continue to hit, slashing .327/.389/.512 with 15 doubles and seven homers in 244 plate appearances this season with the Sky Sox. And all this comes from a 27 year old whose most recent Big League experience came when he was just 25.

Interestingly, Pinto has played 23 games at first base this season, and while his Major League production may not scream “first base bat,” positional versatility is never a bad thing. Pinto is also throwing out one-third of base stealers this season, roughly in line with his minor league average.

If the Milwaukee Brewers can make strides with Pinto both behind the plate and, perhaps more realistically, at first base, he could see an opening with the Crew should Chris Carter be traded in the off-season. The addition of Susac, however, has definitely put his Big League future with the Brewers in doubt.

Next: Top 10 Prospects Post Trade Deadline

In summary: The Brewers aren’t winning right now. Susac certainly looks like the future at catcher, but being out of playoff contention allows the Crew a unique opportunity to give several players a chance at fulfilling their potential.

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The Brewers may be fine at catcher despite how harsh the loss of Jonathan Lucroy feels now.