This story was excerpted from Matthew Leach’s Twins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
The Twins came one inning short of using only two catchers for every single inning of the 2024 season. Jair Camargo made two appearances and tallied a single inning behind the dish, while Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vázquez had an almost perfectly even playing time split at catcher. Each made 81 starts, each caught in 86 games and Jeffers caught 1 1/3 more innings than Vázquez.
Jeffers put up better offensive numbers, Vázquez had better defensive numbers and overall it was a solid and effective, if maybe unspectacular, tandem. Minnesota catchers ranked right in the middle of the AL, eighth out of 15 teams, with a combined 2.3 WAR per FanGraphs.
As of now, it appears that same combination – Jeffers and Vázquez, with Camargo at the ready if needed – will return for 2025. But there is some potential for movement, even before you acknowledge the fact that catcher is a rough position and sometimes catchers get hurt.
On the 40-man roster: Jair Camargo, Diego Cartaya, Ryan Jeffers, Christian Vázquez
The big question: Is this unit as set as it appears?
Well… maybe? There’s definitely a path where everything turns out just as black and white as it seems. Jeffers and Vázquez split time again, Camargo and Cartaya are available if anybody gets hurt and the Twins have another solid, but perhaps unspectacular, catching situation.
However, there are a couple of ways that might take a turn.
The most obvious, if not necessarily likely, has been rumored for quite a while: a trade. The Twins are likely nearing their expected payroll threshold for 2025, and they do still have a few needs, most notably at first base. Vázquez is 34 and slated to make $10 million this year, meaning there’s a potential motivation for the club to look to move him if it wanted to add payroll somewhere else.
With that said, Vázquez is 34 and slated to make $10 million next year, which might make him hard to move. This is not a guaranteed or even a likely move. But it has to be acknowledged as a possibility.
The other way this could get interesting is if the organization can unlock something in Cartaya. As recently as two years ago, he was a top-15 prospect in baseball, known as much for his bat as his glove. If he can find his offense again and rediscover that prospect sheen, it’s not inconceivable that he could push his way into the picture.
The Minnesota Twins have a bright future in the catching department, with Christian Vázquez and Ryan Jeffers leading the way for the team’s 2025 catcher outlook.
Vázquez, who was acquired by the Twins in a trade with the Boston Red Sox, has established himself as one of the top defensive catchers in the league. Known for his strong arm behind the plate and ability to handle a pitching staff, Vázquez will provide stability and leadership for the Twins’ young pitching staff.
On the offensive side, Vázquez has shown improvement in recent years, with the potential to contribute with his bat as well. His experience and veteran presence will be invaluable for the Twins as they look to compete in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Ryan Jeffers, a homegrown talent drafted by the Twins in 2018, has shown promise as a young catcher with a powerful bat. Jeffers has impressed with his ability to drive the ball and deliver key hits in clutch situations.
With Vázquez and Jeffers forming a strong catching tandem, the Twins are set to have a solid foundation behind the plate for years to come. As they continue to develop and grow together, Vázquez and Jeffers will be key pieces in the Twins’ quest for success in 2025 and beyond.
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Christian Vázquez, Ryan Jeffers, Twins, 2025, catcher, outlook, MLB, baseball, prospects, future, roster, depth chart, analysis
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