Detroit Tigers: Veterans to battle for backup catcher role

The Detroit Tigers will have a returner battling with a pair of minor league free agents to be the back up catcher behind starter James McCann in 2018.

The Detroit Tigers will have plenty of position battles to settle during spring training. While some positions (first base, shortstop, etc.) are established, many others will be determined in the next few months.

The Tigers will likely have four spots for bench hitters. It will likely be a backup catcher, a utility infielder, an outfielder and one final spot.

Rule 5 draft selection Victor Reyes is in line for the fourth outfielder role. Since the team would be required to send him back to the Diamondbacks if they did not keep him on the 25-man roster, he will claim that spot.

The battle for the utility infielder role is on and there are numerous players vying for that spot.

The final roster spot will either go to one of the other utility infielders or JaCoby Jones if the Tigers choose to carry five outfielders.

The last competition is for the backup catcher role.

James McCann will head into 2018 as the starting catcher. He is under team control through 2020, so the Tigers are likely going to hold onto him at least for a few seasons.

The future of the position belongs to uber prospect Jake Rogers, who was recently ranked as one of the top-10 catching prospects in all of baseball.

25-year-old prospect Grayson Greiner will look to fit into the equation somewhere as well, likely in the next year or two.

Rogers and Greiner may be the future of the position, but neither are ready to take over as McCann’s back up in 2018. That said, the Tigers have three veteran guys who are all eyeing the opportunity to be on Detroit’s 25-man roster as the backup catcher next season.

First up is last year’s back up and the current front-runner for the position:

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.