It's no secret how thin the Philadelphia Phillies' catching depth has gotten, despite re-signing veteran catcher J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million deal this offseason after the team missed out on landing Bo Bichette.
The organization's decision to move on from top prospect Eduardo Tait proved wise (at least for now), given how much he struggled in the Minnesota Twins organization after last year's trade for Jhoan Duran. However, now the depth beyond Realmuto, Rafael Marchán, and Garrett Stubbs is bleak. But if the Phillies are proactive they may be able to snag their catcher of the future.
Pirates' staggering loss could be Phillies' gain when the 2027 international free agency window opens
Last week, news broke from across the Keystone State that the Pittsburgh Pirates "lost" Sebastián Pérez, the top catcher of the 2027 international free agent class, according to Wilber Sánchez, an MLB analyst. While the Pirates hadn't officially signed him, and wouldn't have been able to until the 2027 international free agency opened next January, teams typically have verbal/handshake agreements in place with top international prospects well in advance of them becoming eligible.
It's not unheard of for teams to "lose" prospects who haven't signed yet, this one is a biggie.
"The Pirates have lost Sebastián Pérez, the top catcher in the 2027 class and, according to many scouts, the best catcher in the history of the international class," Sánchez posted on X. "Pérez combines Judge-like power, Elly De La Cruz’s speed, and Yadier Molina’s defense. It is very likely that Sebastián’s new deal will be worth at least double his previous agreement."
The Pirates have lost Sebastián Pérez, the top catcher in the 2027 class and, according to many scouts, the best catcher in the history of the international class. Pérez combines Judge-like power, Elly De La Cruz’s speed, and Yadier Molina’s defense. It is very likely that… pic.twitter.com/hheboBumCZ
— Wilber Sánchez (@wilberdata) February 7, 2026
While the hyperbolic description of the young talent sounds somewhat unbelievable, if his Judge-like power, De La Cruz-like speed, and Molina-like defense develop the way Sánchez is describing, then Pérez could be a wise investment for a team with little to no catching depth beyond the near distant future, like the Phillies.
Stubbs and Marchán will be vying for the backup spot throughout this year's spring training, with CBS Sports even highlighting this duel as a storyline to watch in Clearwater. While there is some depth behind those two, there is no real "pipeline" for future catching depth beyond the now 25-year-old Caleb Ricketts, the team's No. 22 MLB Pipeline prospect, and 21-year-old 2023 11th-round pick Kehden Hettiger, the No. 23 prospect.
With Pérez back on the market, the Phillies front office should feel inclined to pay the difference the smaller market Pirates wouldn't and begin building a pipeline that consists of Pérez, Hettiger, and whoever the club can pick up via future drafts, either the first-year player draft or the Rule 5 Draft, along the way.
Who do the Phillies have in the pipeline to defend behind the plate in a post-Realmuto lineup?
The trio of Realmuto, Marchán, and Stubbs is starting to earn the title of veteran, given their age and the nature of their position. Looking beyond 2028, it's tough to say what, or how much, catching depth the Phillies have beyond Realmuto's new contract, in several senses of the word.
Aside from Hettiger, there really is no young prospect in the system whom the Phillies can mold into their "catcher of the future." So, signing someone as influential as Pérez could be a massive weight lifted off the young Hettiger, who in his 22 at-bats with the Fightin Phils slashed .182/.308/.318 with four hits. Don't let the slash line fool you, though; one of those four hits was a grand slam, and he totaled seven bases with those four hits and managed to steal a base.
Both Ricketts and Hettiger are in camp as non-roster invitees, meaning they aren't on the 40-man roster and will likely begin the year in Double-A Reading. Adding Pérez to the farm system next January would be a huge get for the Phillies, even if he'll be a few years away from the majors.