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Kansas City Royals: Year-end review, catchers

By Ryan Sikes |
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Royals are officially in the offseason and it’s time to review how the catchers did in Salvador Perez’s absence.

The Kansas City Royals took a huge blow during Spring Training when their perennial Gold Glove catcher, Salvador Perez was lost for the season with a tear of the UCL. Perez required Tommy John surgery and suddenly the team was searching for answers for a new backstop. They signed Martin Maldonado who had previously spent time with the Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, and Milwaukee Brewers.

Maldonado was traded to the Chicago Cubs in mid-July in exchange for Mike Montgomery. At the time, it made perfect sense. The Cubs needed a backup catcher while Willson Contreras was nursing a foot injury and the Royals needed another starter in a lousy rotation. Let’s see how each catcher did this season for the team.

B-. Prior to his trade, Maldonado was the everyday player behind the plate for the Royals. In 73 games, he slashed 0.227/0.291/0.366 with 15 doubles, 6 home runs, and 17 RBI’s. In 604.2 innings behind the plate, Maldonado committed just 2 errors. He was the closest catcher on the roster to the league average in terms of range factor per 9 innings while throwing out 33 percent of all runners.. . . MARTIN MALDONADO

. CAM GALLAGHER. C+. <a rel=.

. MEIBRYS VILORIA. B-. <a rel=.

. NICK DINI. C-. <a rel=.

Next. Moore on Gordon “We want you back”. dark

Obviously, the Royals will be relying on Salvador Perez to return healthy next season but the backup going forward will likely be Gallagher given his experience and Viloria should probably start next year at Triple-A Omaha.

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