Texas Rangers: Predicting the 2022 catchers before free agency

In 2021, the Texas Rangers had a catching duo of Jose Trevino and Jonah Heim. The duo combined for 15 HR’s and 62 RBI’s on the season. Both catchers have yet to reach their prime and Texas looks like they are fairly established at catcher moving into 2022.

Here is a look at the catching options for the Texas Rangers. And don’t forget to look at our other predictions as well.

Predicting the catching options for the Texas Rangers in 2022

Jose Trevino

• Age: 28
• Draft: 6th Round, 186th Overall in 2014 by Texas Rangers

2021 Stats

• GP: 89
• HR: 5
• RBI: 30
• SB: 1
• AVG: .239

Jose Trevino has played parts of the last four seasons with the Rangers.  In 2021, Trevino played the most MLB games of his career.  In 156 career games, Trevino has complied a .245 AVG, 9 HR, 55 RBI, 1 SB.  In 2022, expect Trevino to continue splitting time at catcher with Jonah Heim and possibly Sam Huff.

Jonah Heim

• Age: 26
• Draft: 4th Round, 129th Overall in 2013 by Baltimore Orioles

2021 Stats

• GP: 82
• HR: 10
• RBI: 32
• SB: 3
• AVG: .196

Jonah Heim was traded to Texas from Oakland in the Elvis Andrus deal.  Heim just completed his first full season in the majors.  Prior to 2021, Heim played parts of seven seasons in MILB.  In 517 games played, Heim compiled a .250 AVG, 36 HR, 236 RBI, 10 SB.  In 2022, Heim should share time at catcher with Trevino and possibly Sam Huff.

Sam Huff

• Age: 23
• Draft: 7th Round, 219th Overall in 2016 by Texas Rangers

2021 Stats (3 MILB Teams)

• GP: 61
• HR: 16
• RBI: 36
• SB: 0
• AVG: .246

Sam Huff just finished his 5th season in the Texas organization.  In 383 career games in MILB, Huff has compiled a .261 AVG, 72 HR, 211 RBI, 18 SB.  According to the MLB Prospect Rankings, Huff is 5th on the Rangers Top 30 Prospects list.  He is the top ranked catching prospect for the Rangers.  In 2020, Huff played 10 games for the Texas Rangers.  Huff showed his enormous strength when he hit three HR’s and hit for a .355 AVG.  An injury during Spring Training derailed Huff’s attempt to make the Rangers.  In 2021, playing for three MILB teams, Huff primarily played 1B/DH.  He is currently catching and playing 1B in the Arizona Fall League. In 2022, Huff’s versatility and big bat should land him in the majors with Texas.

Yohel Pozo

• Age: 24
• Undrafted: Venezuela

2021 Stats

• GP: 21
• HR: 1
• RBI: 9
• SB: 0
• AVG: .284

Yohel Pozo just finished his 7th season in the Texas Rangers organization.  Prior to being recalled by Texas, Pozo played 77 games at the AAA level for Round Rock.  His stats in AAA were terrific when he compiled a .337 AVG, 23 HR, 74 RBI.  During his time with Texas, Pozo was primarily a DH.  Moving forward, Pozo is likely going to be limited to DH duties with occasional time at 1B and if necessary catcher.

David Garcia

• Age: 21
• Undrafted: Venezuela

2021 Stats (Hickory, A+)

• GP: 83
• HR: 5
• RBI: 40
• SB: 0
• AVG: .256

David Garcia just finished his 4th season in the Texas organization.  In 223 career MILB games, Garcia has compiled a .253 AVG, 12 HR, 115 RBI, 2 SB.  According to the MLB Prospect Rankings, Garcia is 26th on the Rangers Top 30 Prospects List.  He is ranked 2nd behind Sam Huff on the list of catching prospects.  In 2022, Garcia will mostly likely move up to AA in the Rangers organization.

Final Thoughts

The Texas Rangers have been without a bona fide superstar behind the plate since Ivan Rodriguez left the Rangers for the final time in 2009. Since then, the catching has been a weakness in the Texas organization. The Rangers have been trying to stockpile talent at catcher through free agency and the draft. The Rangers have catching depth at every level of the organization. One of the prospects needs to emerge in order to help the Rangers through the rebuild.