With J.T. Realmuto as the Philadelphia Phillies' starting catcher since 2019, a backup catcher has not been the most essential roster spot for the club. After all, Realmuto has been the busiest backstop in baseball, having caught 5,548 1/3 innings over 652 games in that span.
Because of the starter's durability, it makes sense why there had not really been much debate over who should play when the All-Star catcher gets a breather, until last summer when he was shelved for a little over a month with a torn meniscus.
In his absence, Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchán split time behind the dish. In a small sample size, the oft-injured Marchán outperformed the fun-loving Stubbs offensively.
This began the conversation as to whom should backup Realmuto heading into 2025. Certain circumstances could lead to a change in a roster spot that has not been altered since the 2022 campaign.
Vying for backup catcher role, Rafael Marchán looks good early in camp
Given the possibility of limiting Realmuto's workload entering his final season under contract with the Phillies, the backup catcher could be in line for a larger role. This means that the reserve backstop position battle could be more important than it has been entering past spring trainings.
Perhaps the most glaring reason that Marchán should be the favorite for the job is the fact that he is out of minor league options. Should he not make the Opening Day roster, another team would likely take a chance on him given his abilities and his age.
Stubbs can still be optioned and remain on the 40-man roster in the minor league system for depth. The problem with Marchán, however, is that he has had an injury-plagued career. He appeared in three MLB games in 2020, 20 games in 2021 and 17 games in 2024. Even in the minor leagues, the most games the Venezuelan-born catcher has caught was 85 in 2019.
This is why the news that he is healthy to begin spring training in 2025 is welcome news. He has been in Clearwater for about six weeks working out and training with Phillies staff. As reported by NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman, Marchán spoke about his health entering this spring.
"My body's in good shape," Marchán said, per Seidman. "I tried in the offseason to fix everything, working out really well. Just tried to maintain my body. I go through the season, my shoulders and my back, I had a problem with my back last year. I tried to be on top of that and right now, I'm in good position."
If he can stay healthy, the 26-year-old has shown a glimpse of promise in his very limited major league sample size. Most recently, Marchán hit .294 with a .894 OPS with five home runs and 13 RBI in 56 plate appearances with the big-league club last season.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson likes what he has seen from his potential backup catcher so far. Not necessarily just from an offensive standpoint either, according to Seidman.
"Really everything," Thomson said, per Seidman. "He throws as well as anyone, catches the ball great, he can block, moves around, he's aggressive with back-picks. He's done a lot of work with J.T. and Stubby and Caleb (Cotham), our pitching group. He's done a lot of homework, and now he calls a really good game. Intelligent kid. He's not a kid anymore, really intelligent person. I have full confidence in him."
Over his minor league career, the bat has not been his biggest strength. In fact, the switch-hitter has clubbed just nine total home runs since playing professionally in the minors. His .677 OPS is below average and his slugging percentage is a miniscule .340.
It's more than likely that Marchán would not keep up an .800-plus OPS, but he doesn't have to. As long as he can manage the pitching staff, play solid defensively behind the plate and not be an automatic out, he can hold his value backing up one of the game's most prolific backstops over the past decade.
While there is still over a month remaining before Opening Day, it appears that Marchán is in a good place to make a run at the 26-man roster to begin the 2025 season. If he can stay healthy, he will have plenty of chances to prove himself to his coaching staff and the organization's front office. Until then, fans will have to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks.