Chicago Cubs: Year-end review, catchers
By Ryan Sikes
Willson Contreras was a critical piece for the Chicago Cubs but missed some time this season. How did he fair with respect to the other catchers?
After stating that he simply became complacent in his workout routines, Willson Contreras bounced back nicely this season for the Chicago Cubs. He started his second consecutive All-Star game and put up his best season. Contreras missed some time with injuries which were a problem for him in 2017 as well.
Thankfully, the Cubs were proactive in acquiring Martin Maldonado in exchange for Mike Montgomery, who had expressed the desire to become a starter again. Anyways, he was shipped off to Kansas City and Maldonado did a fine job behind the plate, albeit it was just for 4 games. He never recorded a hit and was immediately traded to the Houston Astros in an attempt to short up the second base position.
Let’s see how the rest of the catchers graded out this year.
WILLSON CONTRERAS. A-. As noted, Willson Contreras put together a really good season at the plate. He slashed 0.272/0.355/0.533 with 18 doubles, 2 triples, 24 home runs, and 64 RBI’s. He was responsible for a 3.95 team ERA when he was behind the plate, which was not only the best on the team but better than the league average (4.39). He did commit 12 errors this year, which was the most since the 2017 season, 8 of them coming on throwing errors. That being said, Contreras became the middle of the order bat that they had hoped he would become a year ago.. .
B. <a rel=. . . VICTOR CARATINI
. JONATHAN LUCROY. D+. Willson Contreras suffered a hamstring injury in early August, about the same time he did back in 2017, and the Cubs had to find answers quickly. <a rel=.
C-. There’s a reason <a rel=. . . TAYLOR DAVIS
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The catching position should be in stable position next year both Contreras and Caratini under team control through 2022 and 2023, respectively. The former is still entering his prime and should be a productive bat again next year.