Robinson Chirinos top plays in 2014

About this time last year Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos looked to be the number 3 catcher on the team.  He was stuck behind the Rangers primary catcher Geovany Soto and newly acquired catcher J.P. Arencibia.  Making Soto the primary catcher was a easy choice for the Rangers.  He had been a decent catcher over the past few seasons and for the most part reliable and healthy.

It was a bit of a surprise that the Rangers picked up Arencibia and basically moved down Chirinos on the depth chart last year.  But, the Rangers thought that they could work with the power hitting catcher to improve his hitting and utilize his catching skills.  He was regarded as one of the best framers behind the backstop, but his weak offense this past season proved to be too much.

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Robinson Chirinos wasn’t the primary catcher going in to spring training, but he did eventually earn that role over the season.  He has done an amazing job of learning the role over last few season and last season showed us why he’s a legitimate primary catcher for the Rangers.  The team does have other great catchers in the organization such as Tomas Telis and Jorge Alfaro, but right now it’s up to Chirinos to hold down the backstop until one of those 2 top-catching prospects are ready to take it on full-time at the major league level.

Here is a look back at some of the amazing plays by Robinson Chirinson.  Which one is your favorite?  Comment below

04/28/14 Chirinos nabs Sogard
Robinson Chirinos throws out Eric Sogard attempting to steal second base

06/16/14 Chirino’s solo home run

Robinson Chirinos cracks a solo home run to left-center, as he and

go back-to-back for the Athletics in the 9th

06/04/14 Chirinos throws out Cruz
Robinson Chirinos fires a strike to second base to throw out Nelson Cruz, who was attempting to advance on a ball in the dirt

06/03/14 Chirinos’ towering homer
Robinson Chirinos belts a towering shot to left-center for his third homer of the season, tying the game in the 7th

08/05/14 Chirinos’ two-homer game
Robinson Chirinos blasts two solo home runs, the first multiple home run game of his career, in a 16-0 victory over the White Sox

09/25/14 Chirinos cuts down Coco
Robinson Chirinos fires a strike down to second base to throw out Coco Crisp attempting to steal, ending the 3rd inning

And this clip just because it shows how awesome it is to be a rookie on the Texas Rangers.

09/18/14 Rangers rookies dress up
The Rangers rookies travel in alternate clothing on the last road trip of the year

Chirinos finished the season with a batting line of .239/.290/.415/.705 with 15 doubles, 13 home runs and 40 RBI over 93 games/306 at-bats.  He had a 1.9 offensive WAR and 1.2 defensive WAR, which is a lot better than Soto and Arencibia.  Hopefully Chirinos will be able to repeat his performance next season and help lead the Texas Rangers to the playoffs.