Options at Catcher For the Texas Rangers

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Sep 24, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers catcher

Geovany Soto

(8) cannot catch a foul ball during the seventh inning of the game against the Houston Astros at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The Texas Rangers beat the Houston Astros 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers named Geovany Soto their starting catcher long before the season started, and of course he got injured and had not made in on the field yet in 2014. He should return a little after Derek Holland does, if all goes according to schedule (which nothing has so far). When Soto went down, the Texas Rangers had brought in J. P. Arencibia previously so it was understood that he would be the starter and Robinson Chirinos would be the backup. Well we all know what happened to Arencibia, and we could all say that he had a less then productive stint with the Texas Rangers, batting under .100 for most of his time with the big club.

Now the Texas Ranger have Chris Gimenez and Chirinos leading the way behind the dish, and that seems to be working out so far, but sometime in the future the Rangers may need to dip down into the minors again if something else happens or if either Gimenez or Chirinos fall off and begin slumping Arencibia style. So who else do the Texas Rangers have at the catcher’s position? Glad you asked.

Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers first baseman

Brett Nicholas

against the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Brett Nicholas:

Brett is having himself a pretty good season in his first year as primarily a catcher. Brett is hitting .244/330/.346 with 3 home runs and 17 RBI. I thought that Brett might be the one who got called up when J.P. got sent down to Round Rock, but the Texas Rangers went with Gimenez instead. Brett is just waiting his time, and he will get his opportunity. Nicholas can also play some first base, so there is that as well.

Mar 20, 2014; Melbourne, FL, USA; Washington Nationals catcher

Chris Snyder

(19) at bat against the Detroit Tigers during a game at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Snyder:

Snyder has only gotten himself into 7 games so far at Round Rock, and he is hitting .270/.360/.286 so far in 21 at bats. Snyder would probably not be called up this season, or at least it would surprise me if he was, but he is trying to get his work in where he can. Snyder is a career minor leaguer who has seen limited major league action since being picked in the second round by the Diamondbacks back in 2002. Snyder is not battling Arencibia for at bats behind Nicholas.

Tomas Telis:

Tomas is the primary catcher at AA Frisco, as he has been in 34 games so far for the Rough Riders. He is hitting .346/.381/.472 with 2 home runs and 19 RBI so far in 2014. The 22 year old Telis still needs to work on his defense, but he offense is looking pretty good. He should make the jump to AAA ball for the Texas Rangers at some point this season if the roster there allows him to have a spot.

Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers catcher

Jorge Alfaro

against the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jorge Alfaro:

Alfaro is the big name around the Texas Rangers organization, but we all have to remember that the kid is only 20. He is at Myrtle Beach right now, and he is by the far the highest touted prospect in the Texas Rangers organization as far as catcher goes. I have my doubts that we will be called up before 2016 at the earliest, but the way things are going for the Texas Rangers that will probably change. Alfaro is catching 31% of base stealers so far in 2014, and he is hitting .277/.323/.426 with 5 home runs and 29 RBI in 41 games so far. Alfaro is going to be the Texas Rangers catcher one day, and he should be a great one, we are all just going to have to wait a while on him.

There are other catchers in the minors right now, but there are the “exciting” one. As far as catching goes, the Texas Rangers have guys waiting in the wings in case another Rangers catcher goes down.

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