Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Roster Report: Catchers

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Feb 7, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks catchers

(24) and Miguel Montero (26) during the first day of camp at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Miguel Montero

There’s no question who the best catcher in the organization is. Montero had a down 2013 and is looking to battle back in 2014. He battled injury most of the season and although the World Baseball Classic is important, it seemed to really hamper Montero in that he looked fatigued much earlier than usual.

The Diamondbacks needed someone to step up offensively to support Paul Goldschmidt in 2013 and expected Montero to do that, but his .230/.318/.344 batting line left a lot to be desired. Montero earned a contract extension with his timely hitting in 2012, and his line of .286/.391/.438 is more of what we can expect from a healthy Miggy.

Defensively, Montero is solid but unspectacular. He’s usually near the league average in caught stealing percentage and isn’t one to throw games away defensively. He made just five errors in 2013, but did lead the league in passed balls (5). Again, we can look at his health as a reason why.