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Minnesota Twins All-Time Best Catchers

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The Minnesota Twins recently acquired catching prospect Diego Cartaya from the Los Angeles Dodgers and are seemingly stockpiling catchers. When it comes to the arguably most important position in baseball, the Twins are trying to find some options. The Twins are familiar with getting this position right (look no further than first-ballot hall of famer Joe Mauer). Besides Mauer, there have been notable backstops, and Twins fans should reflect on the top catchers of the past when looking at the future.

Minnesota Twins’ All-Time Best Catchers

 

Tim Laudner

Tim Laudner is known for being a part of the core prospects from the early 1980s that stayed together to win a championship in 1987. Laudner had some pop in his bat as he logged 77 home runs and 263 RBI during his time with the Twins. During the Twins’ first championship run in 1987, Laudner hit one of his career’s more critical home runs in game two of the World Series. Even though his career average with the Twins is low at .225, his vocal leadership and occasional pop made him an essential piece for the Twins’ success in the 1980s.

Brian Harper

The first catcher Twins fans should look at is the catcher from their 1991 championship run, Brian Harper. Better known for his bat, Harper batted .306 during his time with the Twins, including a career-best .325 in 1989. Harper was also durable as he played over 125 games in four consecutive seasons and logged over 1,000 innings in three seasons. Even though his caught stealing rates were below average, his career .988 fielding percentage is solid. Offensive production often outweighs any defensive shortcomings, which was apparent with Harper during the 1991 World Series. During the World Series, Harper had many key hits in challenging situations, thus solidifying himself as one of the best catchers in Twins history.

Earl Battey

Many consider Earl Battey one of the best catchers of his era. Coming to Minnesota in 1961 when the franchise moved from Washington, Battery won three Gold Glove Awards. Battey had a fielding percentage of .990 or higher in six seasons. His best fielding season came in 1966 when he recorded a .995 fielding percentage while only committing four errors in 754 chances. He also consistently threw out baserunners, such as in 1962 when he threw out 51 runners at a 44.3% caught-stealing rate. Being a leader behind the plate, Battey was an All-Star several times during his career, including in 1965, when he led the pitching staff to the World Series. While Battey was not necessarily known for his bat, his defensive antics make him one of the best Twins players of all time and one of the best catchers of his era.

Joe Mauer

One of the best catchers in the history of baseball, let alone the Minnesota Twins, is Joe Mauer. Drafted as the first overall pick in the 2001 MLB Draft out of Cretin-Durham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, Mauer spent his entire 15-year career with the Twins. Even though he eventually moved to first base as a catcher, Mauer won three batting titles, consecutive Gold Glove Awards, and the 2009 AL MVP Award. As a hitter, Mauer was the first American League catcher to win a batting title and the first AL/NL catcher to win three batting titles.

Mauer’s time with the Twins came during their resurgence in the early 2000s, and he was an important anchor to their dominant pitching staff, including Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana. During this time, the Twins won multiple division titles and had numerous playoff appearances. His stats behind the plate were consistent: his career fielding percentage as a catcher is .995, he turned 45 double plays from behind the plate, and he was the Gold Glove Award winner from 2008-2010. His athleticism behind the plate and his potent bat made him one of the best catchers of his generation and a first-ballot hall of famer.

 

Catchers Matter

Anyone remotely familiar with baseball can see why the catcher is a vital position. Catchers assist pitchers in calling the right pitch and sometimes call every pitch. They see everything and must call out throws during tough plays, such as bunts or relays from the outfield. Simply put, getting the right catcher matters and the Twins have certainly had success with the position.

Main Photo Credits: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

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