#catching

#catching

Kelly was at it again last night, taking a two strike pitch WAY out to center field to turn what had become an uncomfortably close game into more of a blowout.

He is an elite competitor, a consistent winner, and one of the greatest ever at his position, and we look forward to many contributions during his visits with us in this new role, both in and out of uniform. Yadi will provide input on our catching program, will advise our staff on catching and game planning strategy, and will give me and our front office valuable perspective from his unique vantage point.

The catching position in Tampa has been a revolving door for many years now. Mike Zunino got the majority of the playing time back there in the 2019 to 2022 stretch but his performance tailed off in the final year of that span. In 2023, the Rays used Francisco Mejia, Christian Bethancourt and without any of those three taking firm hold of the job.

Catcher Edgar Quero has surprised the White Sox with his offensive performance, holding a .278 batting average, .725 OPS, three home runs, and 26 RBI in 70 games. His development behind the plate has impressed teammates, particularly due to improved game awareness and pitch management, as noted by right-hander Jonathan Cannon. This contrast from his early career highlights significant growth and adaptation necessary for navigating the complexities of big-league catching, which includes mastering pitching strategies and adapting quickly to the demands of fast-paced gameplay.