Red Sox Rankings: Top 10 catcher performances from this decade
By Tim Starr
The most recent season on this list is Vazquez’ 2019 season. He took major strides from 2018 to 2019. He played many more games, 80 to 138, while also playing a variety of positions, showing his versatility.
From 2018 to 2019, he improved his OPS from .540 to .798, OPS+ from 46 to 104, home runs from 3 to 23. There was an improvement all across the board from Vazquez.
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His defense also greatly improved – a league-average defender in 2018 to a +5 Defensive Runs Saved Above Average in 2019. Vazquez showed that he took serious steps forward in 2019 and headed into 2020, the starting catcher may take another step forward.
He built on his 2018 season and if he can build off of his 2019 season into 2020, he can become an absolute force.
Nonetheless, Vazquez had a disgustingly good 2019 season. Even though some cold stretches, he managed to be an above-average hitter and defender in 2019. He was even one of the finalists for the Gold Glove at the end of the season.
This past year represents when Christian used all of his potential and morphed into the player that he had the talent level to be. Putting his defense and offense together, Vazquez lands number three on this list. The American League should watch out heading into 2020.