Origins of Major League Catchers

by John Sickels on Mar 16, 2026 4:00 PM EDT

Mar. 14, 2012; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto (18) catches a pitch prior to the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at HoHoKam Park. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE

Where Do Catchers Come From?

I made a list of catchers who saw regular playing time in 2011 and added a couple of others (Mauer, Posey) who would have if they had been healthy. This gave me a population of 33 catchers. I want to see where regular catchers come from. Here are the results. Note that the teams listed are the teams they played for in 2011.

J.P. Arencibia, Blue Jays: First round, 2007, University of Tennessee.
Alex Avila, Tigers: Fifth round, 2008, University of Alabama
Rod Barajas, Dodgers: Undrafted free agent, 1996, Cerritos JC
John Buck, Marlins: Seventh round, 1998, Utah HS
Drew Butera, Twins: Fifth round, 2005, University of Central Florida

Ryan Doumit, Pirates: Second round, 1999, Washington St HS
Ryan Hanigan, Reds: Undrafted free agent, 2002, Rollins College
Ramon Hernandez, Reds: International free agent, 1994, Venezuela
Nick Hundley, Padres: Second round, 2005, University of Arizona
Chris Iannetta, Rockies: Fourth round, 2004, University of North Carolina

John Jaso, Rays: 12^th round, 2003, Southwestern (CA) JC
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: Third round, 2007, University of Louisiana-Lafayette
Russell Martin, Yankees: 17^th round, 2002, Chipola JC
Jeff Mathis, Angels: Supplemental first round, 2001, Florida HS
Joe Mauer, Twins: First round, 2001, Minnesota HS

Brian McCann, Braves: Second round, 2002, Georgia HS
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: Fourth round, 2000, Puerto Rico HS
Miguel Montero, Diamondbacks: International free agent, 2001, Venezuela
Mike Napoli, Rangers: 17^th round, 2000, Florida HS
Miguel Olivo, Mariners: International free agent, 1996, Dominican Republic

A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox: Third round, 1994, Florida HS
Buster Posey, Giants: First round, 2008, Florida State University
Wilson Ramos, Nationals: International free agent, 2006, Venezuela
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies: International free agent, 1998, Panama
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Red Sox: Supplemental first round, 2003, Florida HS

Carlos Santana, Indians: International free agent, 2005, Dominican Republic
Kelly Shoppach, Rays: Second round, 2001, Baylor University
Geovany Soto, Cubs: 11^th round, 2001, Puerto Rico HS
Kurt Suzuki, Athletics: Second round, 2004, Cal State Fullerton
Josh Thole, Mets: 13^th round, 2005, Illinois HS

Yorvit Torrealba, Rangers: International free agent, 1994, Venezuela
Eli Whiteside, Giants: Sixth round, 2001, Delta State University
Matt Wieters, Orioles: First round, 2007, Georgia Tech University

33 catchers
First-rounders: 4
Supplemental First Rounders: 2
Second Rounders: 5
Third through Sixth Rounders: 7
Seventh through Tenth Rounders: 1
Later than 10^th round: 5
Undrafted North American Free Agents: 2
International Free Agents: 7
North American high schools: 11
Junior College: 3
Four-Year College: 12

Make of this what you will. One thing I notice: there are no high school catchers from California or Texas on this list, but several from Florida.

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Read More: Ramon Hernandez (C - COL), Kurt Suzuki (C - OAK), Kelly Shoppach (C - BOS), Carlos Ruiz (C - PHI), Rod Barajas (C - PIT), John Buck (C - FLA), Ryan Doumit (C - MIN), Miguel Olivo (C - SEA), Yorvit Torrealba (C - TEX), Chris Iannetta (C - ANA), Mike Napoli (C - TEX), Joe Mauer (C - MIN), Jeff Mathis (C - TOR), Miguel Montero (C - ARI), Geovany Soto (C - CHC), A.J. Pierzynski (C - CWS), Russell Martin (C - NYY), Yadier Molina (C - STL), Jarrod Saltalamacchia (C - BOS), Brian McCann (C - ATL), Ryan Hanigan (C - CIN), John Jaso (C - SEA), J.P. Arencibia (C - TOR), Eli Whiteside (C - SFG), Matt Wieters (C - BAL), Drew Butera (C - MIN), Nick Hundley (C - SDP), Carlos Santana (C - CLE), Wilson Ramos (C - WAS), Buster Posey (C - SFG), Alex Avila (C - DET), Jonathan Lucroy (C - MIL), Josh Thole (C - NYM), San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Miami Marlins, Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers

Comments

Out of curiosity

Was the idea for the article born from the Fangraphs article a few days ago? I found that article to be quite lazily done, and I’m glad you looked into this further than Hulet did. As it turns out, drafting a college catcher is not quite as much of a “risky business” as the article implied.

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by free f.p. #14 on Mar 16, 2026 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

was thinking the same thing

go long with extenze...i do

by angelsownredsux on Mar 16, 2026 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

hmmmm

You know, honestly it wasn’t…i missed the fangraphs piece.

by John Sickels on Mar 16, 2026 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

ok

OK, I just read Hulet’s piece. I don’t know if anything I wrote here invalidates what he wrote. It would be necessary to see what percentage of high school catchers drafted early panned out, compared to what percentage of college catchers. But that would be a much larger study.

by John Sickels on Mar 16, 2026 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I was more struck by the lack of California and Texas HS talent than anything, granted a 30-player sample is quite small

by John Sickels on Mar 16, 2026 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Here is what my

study produced

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by Matt Garrioch on Mar 16, 2026 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

You're correct that he is not a regular

but a notable C from a CA high school would be Hank Conger. He should have been a regular IMO if not for Sciosia’s enigmatic bromance with Mathis.

go long with extenze...i do

by angelsownredsux on Mar 16, 2026 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

fair enough

by John Sickels on Mar 16, 2026 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Shoppach

He’s on the Red Sox now. I’m blanking on the Rays’ backstop now…

by AGuinness on Mar 16, 2026 4:41 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions

Duh

Jaso, as it says above

by AGuinness on Mar 16, 2026 4:42 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

certainly isn't Jaso :)

A flying Molina brother gets the opening day nod

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by Jason Collette on Mar 16, 2026 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Way to go Florida...

Arencibia - played HS in Florida
Avila - played HS in Florida
Butera
Lucroy - HS in Florida
Martin
Mathis
Napoli
Hanigan
Posey
Salty

Follow @jasoncollette

by Jason Collette on Mar 16, 2026 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

relievers

I’d love to see something like this for closers/top relievers.

by TheBigOne on Mar 16, 2026 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

Austin Hedges

hopefully he becomes the first CA guy on this list.

by walnut falcons on Mar 16, 2026 6:02 PM EDT reply actions

Was thinking the same thing

Can’t wait to see how the bat does this year.

GO Friars

by mrbarneydangles on Mar 17, 2026 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Love it

one thing would make it better is to break down the catchers into tiers.
Making a team and being an everyday is one thing, but being successful and long lasting is another.
How often does a 17th rounder become a tier 3 catcher?
How often does a 1st round catcher out of college not ever make it?

by team name deleted on Mar 16, 2026 6:42 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, thse are good questions. I will do more research on this if you guys are interested

by John Sickels on Mar 16, 2026 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

pretty clear

I got another reason to love Mike Zunino

before there was law, there were the Cowboys!!!

by orli on Mar 16, 2026 7:15 PM EDT reply actions

Interesting that 11 came from HS

as HS catchers usually break your heart.

XandyMan Coming for you!!!!1

by DominicanDandy on Mar 16, 2026 7:28 PM EDT reply actions

Though none in the 1st round,

XandyMan Coming for you!!!!1

by DominicanDandy on Mar 16, 2026 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Brain fart

Joe Mauer.

XandyMan Coming for you!!!!1

by DominicanDandy on Mar 16, 2026 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Would be interested in....

…..how many catcher-to-pitcher conversions have worked; we had Troy Percival with the Angels, and if I’m not mistaken Kenly Jansen was converted from catcher as well….

by jkaflagg on Mar 16, 2026 8:52 PM EDT reply actions

Billy Wagner and WS champ Jason Motte

go long with extenze...i do

by angelsownredsux on Mar 16, 2026 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions

No to Wagner

unless you know something I don’t

by cookiedabookie on Mar 16, 2026 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought it was known fact that he was once a catcher

and I’m not talking little league. I’ll have to search

go long with extenze...i do

by angelsownredsux on Mar 16, 2026 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

He started throwing left-handed as a youngster

And not many/any left-handed catchers.

by cookiedabookie on Mar 16, 2026 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually

I once played with two left handed catchers on the same team. It was only little league/high school level ball, but it was still odd.

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by sportznut3081 on Mar 16, 2026 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions

The 4 1st round catchers on that list

Have all been fairly successful in their (short) careers.

by oriolekid on Mar 16, 2026 11:29 PM EDT reply actions

Converted...

How many of these players started off elsewhere on the diamond. I seem to remember that Santana was converted to C… any others?

by BoBtheMule on Mar 17, 2026 8:00 AM EDT reply actions

Posey

Buster was an All-American shortstop his freshman year of college.

by DavidS on Mar 17, 2026 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

NY Guys

I believe Martin was 3rd or 2nd baseman before being converted and Thole was a first baseman

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by Pelferized on Mar 17, 2026 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Martin was at third

by cookiedabookie on Mar 17, 2026 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Thole was a catcher in HS

He converted to 1B in the low minors.

by acerimusdux on Mar 18, 2026 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I enjoyed this ...

Lee Cress

by Cowboy33 on Mar 17, 2026 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

hey john

just FYI John Jaso is no longer with the Rays, I think they traded him to the Mariners

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by feslenraster on Mar 18, 2026 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

the article clearly says that the team listed is the guy the player played for in 2011

by John Sickels on Mar 18, 2026 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

So, I kinda hoped...

…that we’d get a “bitten by a radioactive catcher” or “bombarded by Munson rays” joke out of this article.

But other than that, I thought it was a really good read. :-)

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by Bryan Grosnick on Mar 18, 2026 6:42 PM EDT reply actions

Drafting catchers

Yeah I took a less formal look at this myself recently when someone said something about the failure rate of first round catchers. Maybe it used to be they hadn’t fared as well, but recently it seems they have worked out pretty well.

Especially if you lok at the most productive catchers of recent years, a good number of them were high picks. And just looking at the first rounders, Weiters, Posey, and Mauer are obvious successes, and Arencibia is off to a decent start. And if you look at guys still in the minors, Mesoraco, D’Arnaud, and Grandal all still look pretty promising as well. So I certainly wouldn’t shy away from a catcher in the first round, if there’s one of that level of talent, HS or college.

by acerimusdux on Mar 18, 2026 9:54 PM EDT reply actions