Twins Position Breakdown: Catchers – Twin Cities

How about a fun fact? For the second straight season, the Twins used only two catchers to start the game.

In 2023, Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vazquez were the only two players to see at least an inning at the plate. In 2024, the two started every game and nearly accomplished that feat again. This time, however, rookie Jair Camargo received some playing time, totaling one inning at the plate over two games.

This is a remarkable health indicator for two guys who occupy the most physically demanding position in the sport.

2024 SUMMARY

A big part of the reason the Twins have been able to keep both of their catchers fresh is because they are eager to share time at the plate.

Exhibit A: Jeffers caught 720⅓ innings last year. Vasquez caught 719 points. They each started 81 games behind the plate, although Jeffers appeared in many more games than Vazquez (122 to 93) as the team often chose to use him as the designated hitter.

Jeffers began the season as one of the most productive hitters on the planet (.947 OPS in March and April), and it was an inconsistent year at the plate. June marked his low point as he hit .161 with an OPS of .470. He recovered later in the summer before a difficult September.

He finished the season with a career-high 21 home runs and 64 runs scored, although his numbers (he hit .226 with a .732 OPS and 103 OPS+) were not as good as the previous season, when he hit .226. 276 with an .858 OPS and a 133 OPS+ (100 is league average).

Vazquez, on the other hand, had a particularly rough time early—he hit .094 with just five hits and a .222 OPS in May—before picking it up midseason. July and August were his two best months before the veteran went into attack in the final month.

FORECAST FOR 2025

The simple answer here is to play the return game with the same duo and Camargo waiting in Triple-A in case of injury. Jeffers is arbitration-eligible, and Vazquez is in the final year of a three-year contract he signed with the Twins as a free agent, paying $10 million in 2025.

At that salary, it’s safe to wonder if the Twins will try to move Vazquez, given that they have limited salary flexibility. It’s unclear if they can find another team to cover all or just part of his salary, but Vazquez’s move could provide financial relief that will allow the Twins to address other needs.

If they did, Camargo could take over Vazquez’s role and handle catching duties alongside Jeffers. Jeffers appears less likely to be moved as the younger, less expensive of the duo with more control over the team.

If they decide to keep both, the duo will have to split playing time for the third straight season.

Originally published: November 4, 2024 4:09 PM CST