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Red Sox Rankings: American League East Catchers

By Drew Peabody

Aug 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart (23) chases a ball against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart (23) chases a ball against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) tags out Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar (11) at home plate during the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Toronto Blue Jays defeated Baltimore Orioles 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) tags out Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar (11) at home plate during the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Toronto Blue Jays defeated Baltimore Orioles 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

3.  Matt Wieters

The 2007 fifth overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles is a good case study to look at in the case of Christian Vazquez.  Wieters had the same injury to his elbow that required him to have the Tommy John ligament replacement surgery that Vazquez had a year and a month ago.  If Wieters case is any indication, Vazquez still has a tough road ahead of him.  Wieters had his surgery in June of 2014 and is still making his way back to the catcher he was before the surgery.  Last season as Wieters was returning to the field he actually offered advice to Vazquez through Manager John Farrell. We forget sometimes that aside from their desire to win, these guys also have a personal side of helping an opponent in a similar tough situation.

In 2014, Wieters was having his best season ever, smashing a .308/.339/.500 batting line through 114 plate appearances when he went down.  The previous three seasons he cracked over 20 homers.  He is the total package when healthy.  The Georgia Tech alum also has two Gold Gloves and three All-Star selections to his credit (though the last one is a bit suspect since he had only played 26 games and was voted in anyway). In 2015, Wieters came back midseason to hit eight homers and post a .742 OPS which are in line with his career norms.

In this new year and with more time to heal from his surgery, Wieters is sure to make the rankings tougher next year if he can put up his usual season-long numbers.

Next: 4. Blake Swihart

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