In the midst of overhauling their catching corps, the Philadelphia Phillies inked longtime minor league journeyman Brian Navaretto to a minor league deal. The soon-to-be 32-year-old was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the sixth round in 2013 and is joining the fifth organization of his 14-year pro career.
After a season in which the Phillies' backup catchers combined for a .329 OPS, change is necessary behind the dish. The aging J.T. Realmuto played 123 games in 2026 and slashed a career-worst .205/.283/.331.
Manager Don Mattingly hopes to cut his playing time in 2027 in an attempt to keep the veteran fresher. That won’t be possible without an adequate backup. Navaretto has a career .559 OPS in 81 Major League plate appearances. In all likelihood, he won’t be the man covering the majority of Realmuto’s off days. Nevertheless, he’s a good place to start.
Navaretto is considered an excellent locker room presence and a fantastic leader. Miami Marlins beat writer Isaac Azout, who covered Navaretto during four of his professional seasons in the Magic City, called the catcher “One of the best humans Miami has ever rostered.”
Brian Navarreto will not be a Marlin in 2027.
— Isaac Azout (@IsaacAzout) November 11, 2026
One of the best humans Miami has ever rostered. I see coaching in his very near future. https://t.co/2Wg7wyAq7O
Brian Navaretto's presence on the Phillies is just as much about training the next generation as filling the backup role
Even if Navaretto doesn’t hit well enough in spring training to stick around, he’ll be an excellent influence on the Phillies' young pitchers as well as their up-and-coming catchers.
Both Alirio Ferrebus and Kehden Hettiger, Philadelphia’s most prized catching prospects, have struggled with the finer points of defense behind the plate. MLB Pipeline's best description of Ferrebus’ catching is that “the Phillies are bullish about the defensive progress he's made in his brief career.”
It’s easy to read between the lines: he has a long way to go before he’s ready to be a catcher in the big-leagues.
Navaretto, a wily veteran and a supposedly great teacher, will be a strong mentor for both youngsters. Ferrebus could use the coaching, especially because it looks like his bat could be a plus tool at the Major League level. Hettiger profiles more as a future backup, but as it stands, Ferrebus is the heir apparent to Realmuto.
Last year, Navaretto only had 147 total plate appearances between the Majors and minors. He was not particualrly successful at either Triple-A Jacksonville, where his OPS was .620, or in Miami, where his OPS was .443.
Unless the Phillies hitting department can unlock something in Navaretto’s swing, he’ll likely be coming to Philadelphia as depth and as a sort of player-coach. It’s a savvy move that costs the team virtually nothing, but could pay big dividends in the future.
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