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Detroit Tigers could use veteran catching depth at Triple-A

By Andy Patton

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 8: James McCann #34 of the Detroit Tigers catches a foul pop up as he reaches out to make the catch in the fourth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 8: James McCann #34 of the Detroit Tigers catches a foul pop up as he reaches out to make the catch in the fourth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 4: Al Avila laughs during a news conference at Comerica Park after he was promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager on August 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. Avila replaces Dave Dombrowski who was the Tigers’ general manager since 2002. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

The Detroit Tigers have consistently found veteran help behind the plate in years past. Rafael Lopez and Hector Sanchez each represent solid depth options to stash at Triple-A in 2018.

Despite being a relatively thin position throughout the majors, the Detroit Tigers have rarely struggled with catching depth.

James McCann has been the Tigers starting catcher since 2015.

Behind him has been a revolving door of veteran backstops, including Alex Avila, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Bobby Wilson, Bryan Holaday and current backup John Hicks.

Heading into 2018, McCann and Hicks are expected to be the opening day catchers.

However, the Tigers are a bit thin behind those two.

Prospect Grayson Greiner is likely the third catcher on the depth chart and potentially the starter at Triple-A Toledo.

Greiner is a solid catching prospect, but he only has 14 at-bats at Triple-A in his career. He spent most of 2017 at Double-A, hitting .241 with 14 home runs and a 108 wRC+.

Greiner has a good chance of making his long awaited debut in 2018.

However, MLive Tigers reporter Evan Woodberry tweeted the following on Friday:

"“Presumably Tigers will peruse the minor league free agent market for a veteran catcher to pair with Grayson Greiner in Toledo.”"

This is obviously Woodberry’s opinion, but if the Tigers do pursue another catcher, a couple free agent options available to Al Avila and his crew are 30-year-old Raffy Lopez and 28-year-old Hector Sanchez.

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