Detroit Tigers: Veterans to battle for backup catcher role

John Hicks

Hicks has the upper hand heading into 2018, simply because he filled the backup catcher role last season. The 28-year-old was Detroit’s primary backup catcher last season after Alex Avila was traded. He also played quite a bit of first base, filling in for Miguel Cabrera while he was injured. Overall he posted a .266/.326/.439 line with six home runs, 22 RBI and a 102 wRC+.

Hicks was originally drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the fourth round of the 2011 MLB draft. He made his big league debut in 2015, going 2-for-32 with 18 strikeouts.

The Mariners placed him on waivers after the season and the Twins claimed him. After 33 at-bats in Triple-A he was placed on waivers again. This time the Tigers claimed him. He split the rest of the season between Double-A and Triple-A, before playing in one game with Detroit at the end of the season.

Hicks started 2017 in Triple-A, hitting .269 with seven home runs and five stolen bases. He was called up for good after the Avila trade.

Hicks’ experience at first base will work in his favor as he battles for a spot on the opening day roster. Should either of the veterans beat Hicks out for the backup catcher role, he could still snag the final roster spot as a backup first baseman. Additionally, should injury befall either Miguel Cabrera or Victor Martinez Hicks is a good bet to fill in at first base.

Regardless of his role out of spring training, expect Hicks to see plenty of at-bats in the Motor City in 2018.

Next is a veteran catcher who is starting his second stint with the Tigers.

Brayan Pena

The Tigers brought back veteran catcher Brayan Pena, signing him to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Pena, 36, has been in the majors since 2005.

Pena spent 2013 with the Tigers and enjoyed one of the most productive seasons of his career. Across 229 at-bats, He hit .297 with four home runs and a career-high 94 wRC+.

2017 was the first year since 2005 that Pena did not play in the major leagues. He spent the year in Triple-A with the Kansas City Royals, where he hit .274 in just 134 plate appearances. 

All told he has accrued 1,950 plate appearances in the show, slashing .259/.299/.351.

His experience as a back up catcher and strong reputation as a mentor help make a strong case for him to start next season on the opening day roster.

However, Hicks played well last season, is considerably younger, and is under team-control through 2022.

Pena will get a chance to prove he is still capable of being a reliable back up catcher this spring. If he does not make the team, he will be a valuable veteran depth piece in Triple-A. He should get a chance in the case of an injury. With Hicks capable of filling in at first base, Pena could get the call should Miguel Cabrera or Victor Martinez go down.

Regardless, don’t be surprised to see Pena back in the Motor City sometime during the next season.

Derek Norris

The Tigers signed Norris to a minor league deal back in December. Even though he is just 28, he has considerably more experience in the big leagues than fellow 28-year-old Hicks.

Norris was originally drafted by the Washington Nationals in the fourth round of the 2007 draft. He was traded to the Oakland A’s in a prospect package for Gio Gonzalez.

He made his big league debut in 2012, hitting .201 with seven home runs in 209 at-bats. Norris put together a strong half season in 2013 before breaking out in 2014.

That season, Norris made his first (and only) All-Star game. He finished the year hitting .270/.361/.403 with 10 home runs and a 123 wRC+.

His numbers have rapidly declined since then, culminating in an ugly .201/.258/.380 line in 2017 with the Rays. All told Norris has hit .230 for his career with 63 home runs in 680 games.

He was suspended under baseball’s new domestic violence policy for the last month of the 2017 season. He became the fifth player to face punishment under the policy.

Norris comes with considerable baggage, and his performance on the field does not merit him winning the job over Hicks or Pena.

However, he has seen success at the major league level. And at just 28 years old, the Tigers are willing to take a chance on him. If he can regain some of what made him so successful a few years ago the Tigers will have found a gem in the bargain bin. If not, he can just serve as depth at Triple-A or be released, costing the Tigers next to nothing.

Next: A look at the 2018 Infield

James McCann will do the vast majority of the catching next season. However, the more depth you have behind the plate the better. Hicks, Pena and Norris all provide experience behind the dish and should make a solid catching core while Rogers and Greiner continue to develop in the minors.