Kansas City Royals Countdown: Top Five Catchers

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals have just finished their 45 year in grand style, making the World Series for the third time in franchise history. After 29 years, the Royals made it back to the postseason, reinvigorating a fanbase and a city. A new era may be about to dawn, and the Royals appear primed to retake their place among baseball’s best.

With that 45th anniversary of the Royals inaugural season behind us, it seems like a good time to take a look back over the top players at each position in the Royals past. Today, we begin at catcher, and will continue our trip around the diamond each week, going over the top players at each position.

For all of the great players the Kansas City Royals have had in their vibrant history, catcher has historically been a weaker position. Some of the players on this list may not necessarily be on the top five lists for other teams, but that does not diminish what they accomplished for the Royals during their tenure in Kansas City.

To compile this list, the Fangraphs list of career Wins Above Replacement was used as a guideline. However, a bit of personal judgment went into this as well, particularly as both Fran Healy and John Wathan were tied for fifth on the list with a career mark of 5.5 WAR with the Royals. One of the two needed to be cut.

Here is the list of the top five catchers in Kansas City Royals history. Let us know if there is someone you feel should be on the list, or if you feel someone should be ranked higher!

Next: A true Royals lifer

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5. John Wathan (1976-1985, 5.5 WAR)

Not only did Wathan have a ten year career as a catcher with the Kansas City Royals, but he remained with the team after his retirement. Serving as a coach, manager, broadcaster, scout, and currently, as a special assistant to General Manager Dayton Moore. For all the notoriety George Brett has received due to his loyalty to the Royals, John Wathan is not far behind.

As a catcher, Wathan was something of a rarity – a catcher who could had legitimate speed and could steal bases. During his career, Wathan posted a .262/.318/.343 batting line with 21 home runs and 105 stolen bases. In 1980, one of only four years that Wathan was truly the Royals starting catcher, he posted a .305/.377/.406 batting line with six home runs and 17 steals, earning him his only MVP vote. In 1982, Wathan stole 36 bases, and was caught only nine times.

Defensively, John Wathan was primarily a catcher, but he played at first and both corner outfield positions. Behind the plate, he was not exactly special, but Wathan had his moments. In 1985, his final season, Wathan ranked third with a 43.2% caught stealing rate and fifth with four total zone runs saved.

Wathan’s last moments as a professional player came when the Royals won their only World Series title. He struck out in his only at bat, but was involved as a pinch runner in that amazing comeback in Game Six. As far as final moments go, being a part of that inning had to be special.

John Wathan is a true Royal. His service to the Kansas City Royals got him the tiebreaker.

Next: An original Royal

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

3. Salvador Perez (2011-present, 10.8 WAR)

Here, we have another player who has made this list despite not having spent much time behind the plate. However, unlike Kirkpatrick, Perez is just starting his career. In fact, he only has two full major league seasons to his credit.

Those two full seasons with the Kansas City Royals, however, have been impressive. Both years, Perez has made the All-Star team and won a Gold Glove award, cementing his place as one of the top young catchers in baseball. These accomplishments have been even more impressive considering that Perez is out on the diamond almost every game.

While there may be quibbles about Salvador Perez’s approach in the batter’s box, the results have been solid. A career .285/.315/.433 hitter with 44 home runs, Perez has seen his home run totals increase each season. Even if he will never be a 30 home run hitting catcher, he could well end up consistently in the 20 to 25 home run range during his prime.

Defensively, Perez has been among the best in the game since he first came up. Even in the 2012 season, when Perez played in 76 games, he finished second in total zone runs and led the American League with a 41.9% caught stealing rate. Teams just do not run on Perez any longer.

Right now, Salvador Perez has the third highest WAR of any catcher in Royals history. Considering how young he is, Perez could be atop this list in the next couple of years.

Next: Mac the Catcher? Eh, I'll think of something better.

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2. Mike Macfarlane (1987-1994, 1996-1998, 14.2 WAR)

It is likely no surprise to see Mike Macfarlane on this list; after all, he has caught more games than any other catcher in Kansas City Royals history with 798 games behind the plate. Yet, he did not get his chance to be a full time starter until the age of 26, which he received due to an injury to Bob Boone at the start of the 1990 season.

Once he took over, Macfarlane proved to be a solid performer with the bat. During his time with the Royals, Macfarlane posted a .256/.327/.439 batting line with 103 home runs. While Macfarlane was not exactly great at drawing a walk, his ability to get hit by pitches was excellent, as he led the American League in that category in both 1992 and 1994.

Defensively, Mike Macfarlane was a steady player, but was not spectacular. He had his issues with passed balls at times, particularly in that one season he spent in Boston, but had a strong throwing arm and was solid behind the plate. He was never Gold Glove caliber, but Macfarlane was not a disaster either.

Mike Macfarlane was a steady, solid catcher for the Kansas City Royals. Given his longevity and decent performance, it is not a surprise he would make this list.

Next: The gold standard

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1. Darrell Porter (1977-1980, 16.9 WAR)

Darrell Porter was a member of the Royals for only four seasons, but he made a tremendous impact upon the team. Coming over at the beginning of the Kansas City Royals Golden Era, Porter made three All-Star teams and twice finished in the top ten in the MVP ballot during his tenure with the Royals.

It is easy to see why that would have been the case. A very good player throughout his career, Porter had some of his best seasons with the Royals. In those four years, Porter produced a .271/.375/.435 batting line, slugging 61 home runs. While his power numbers were solid, where Porter truly shined was in his ability to draw a walk. During that time in Kansas City, Porter walked 318 times, striking out in only 260 plate appearances.

Defensively, it was obvious that Porter was an offensive minded catcher. While he would occasionally appear among the leaders in a positive defensive category, Porter was typically among the league leaders in passed balls and errors. However, he possessed a strong throwing arm, rating in the top five in caught stealing percentage in both 1979 and 1980.

Even though Salvador Perez is likely to leave Darrell Porter behind in the next couple of years, he still left his mark upon the Royals. For now, Porter remains the top catcher in Kansas City Royals history.