LA Angels 2021 spring training guide: assessing the catcher competition

I think I can speak for all fans in saying Wednesday cannot get here soon enough. That day marks the first team workout for Angels pitchers and catchers to begin spring training.

Among the Halos active catchers are Max Stassi, Kurt Suzuki, and Anthony Bemboom. In addition, the Angels have invited five non-roster invitees at the catcher position.

There’s a possibility the Halos will go with three catchers on the active roster at different points during the season. Joe Maddon has used this formula many times in his managerial career. In 2016, Maddon rode a rotation of Miguel Montero, David Ross, and Willson Contreras to a World Series title.

Given the uncertain health status of Max Stassi, the Angels will have a competition for the backup catcher position during spring training.

Having a reliable backup catcher to handle the pitching staff and occasionally get a big hit goes a long way in contending for a championship.

If everyone’s healthy, I think we can expect some platoon of Stassi and Suzuki for the majority of the season. There’s uncertainty whether or not Stassi will begin the season on the Injured List following hip surgery.

It might not make headlines, but Stassi’s injury will make for some serious competition among the backup catcher candidates.

Although he is currently on the active roster, I don’t think Anthony Bemboom is a lock to suit up on Opening Day. If Stassi begins the season on the IL, the backup spot is Bemboom’s to lose at the start of spring training.

Anthony Bemboom Career Statistics (2 seasons):

• 2019: (25 games) 54 PA .130/.145/.204 1 HR 4 RBI
• 2020: (21 games) 48 PA .208/.328/.417 4 HR 9 RBI

Nobody expects an All-Star caliber offense from the No.2 catcher. Still, any productivity is welcomed. Experience and defense are also amongst the biggest values a backup can have behind the plate.

Anthony Bemboom will need a strong spring camp to keep his spot on the Angels active roster.

Bemboom is 31-years old and spent ten seasons across the minor leagues before reaching the Major League Level.

Last season, the Halos called up Bemboom following the trade of Jason Castro. Bemboom’s left-handed bat and .744 OPS was a decent compliment late in the season, but the Halos will need more to compete until Stassi is ready to return.

As the incumbent, Bemboom will get a shot to keep his job during spring training, but I would not rule out Graterol and the others to make for strong competition.

Assuming Stassi is not ready, the backup catcher position will be important to begin the season because the opening day backstop will need his fair share of rest.

When the offseason began, there were talks of general manager Perry Minasian looking to improve at the catcher position. Rumors about a Wilson Contreras trade floated around, but those died when the Angels got their guy: Kurt Suzuki.

The Suzuki addition isn’t nearly as flashy nor as costly as bringing in a superstar like JT Realmuto. Whether or not signing Suzuki is more or less effective than trading for Contreras or committing to Realmuto remains to be seen. The one-year, $1.5 million deal for Suzuki fits the theme of low-risk, cost-effective rental players we have seen throughout the Halos offseason.

I don’t think it’s the worse thing the Angels could have done. I was a fan of the move at the time, but I thought owner Arte Moreno and Minasian should have done more to compliment this addition.

Kurt Suzuki could begin the season as the Angels starting catcher, but he will need to be platooned at some point.

Regardless, the 37-year old will bring championship experience and veteran leadership to the Angels clubhouse. That could go along way with the pitching staff and the development of Stassi. Suzuki has proven can still handle the bat as he enters his 15th MLB season.

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Kurt Suzuki Last 5 Seasons:

• 2016: (106 games) .258/.301/.403 8 HR 49 RBI
• 2017: (81 games) .283/.351/.536 19 HR 50 RBI
• 2018: (105 games) .271/.332/.444 12 HR 50 RBI
• 2019: (85 games) .264/.324/.486 17 HR 63 RBI
• 2020: (33 games) .270/.349/.496 2 HR 17 RBI

I don’t expect Suzuki to be the team’s everyday catcher at this point in his career. From a health and productivity standpoint, it’s asking too much.

Until Stassi is ready to return, Suzuki will get the majority of his starts behind the plate to begin the season. Maddon will need another catcher to take the load off of Suzuki at some point.

There is also a question as to whether or not Stassi can repeat his productivity from a season ago.

Last season, Max Stassi took a big leap forward offensively as the Angels catcher. Stassi posted an .882 OPS, but defensively, the pitching staff was one of the worst in baseball. Not all of that falls on Stassi, but catchers play a role in how well they can handle their pitchers.

I think pitch framing and defense are things Stassi needs to develop if he is a productive catcher in the big leagues. Whether or not Stassi can produce offensively for consecutive seasons is also critical to any success the Angels will have in 2021.

Can Max Stassi catch a full season for the Angels in 2021?

Up to this point in his career, Stassi has spent most of his eight MLB seasons as a backup catcher.

Max Stassi Last Five Seasons:

• 2016: (9 games) .077 (1-for-13) 0 BB 5 K
• 2017: (14 games) .167/.323/.458 2 HR 4 RBI
• 2018: (88 games) .226/.316/.394 8 HR 27 RBI
• 2019: (51 games) .136/.211/.167 1 HR 5 RBI
• 2020: (31 games) .278/.352/.533 7 HR 20 RBI

The 2020 season was a small sample size, but it looks like Moreno and Minasian will rely on Stassi to be the starting catcher, at least to begin the season. Whenever he returns, we can expect Stassi to receive most of the starts behind the plate while Suzuki compliments him.

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The battle for the backup catching spots will be something to pay attention to this spring.

If the Angels are competing but lack consistent productivity at the catcher position, I think it’s safe to assume the team would look elsewhere at the trade deadline.