Is Mitch Garver Still a Catcher?

An evolution in catchers head protection that goes well beyond the current state seems past due.

I think the answer is yes. In the last month of a lost season after suffering a September concussion, it seems very prudent to keep him away from the tools of ignorance. But I fully expect him to be sharing catching duties with Castro this year.

As for Chirinos—perhaps the front office is considering either of the current catchers in trade packages?

And yes, agree that catcher’s need better protection, better helmets. There should also be very serious penalties for batters hitting catchers on their follow-through swings. It one of the reasons I think batters should have to keep two hands on the bat during their swing.

Excellent article, Nick.  And one which doesn't have an answer and won't, until spring training.  We will then learn whether Garver remains a catcher.  If he does, expect he can be their starter.  If he isn't, I see either he or Austin making the 25-man roster.  All is subject to change should there be additional moves over the winter at catcher or first base.

Hopefully, Castro comes back and is healthy and can at least hit his weight. Not sure where this will leave Garver in the team's plans. The concussion issue certainly is a big concern. I like Astudillo, but more as a utility guy rather than someone who can be a reliable starter. Then again, why not give him a chance too? Or maybe we need to look beyond Plan B and opt for a Plan C or D.

Castro’s not gonna be around in 2020, Jeffers and Rortvedt may still be in the minors, and I’m not sure what to expect Astudillo, sooo what’s the plan here?? Still holding out hope that Garver can stay behind the plate, but realistically we’re probably gonna need expensive “backup.”

Then again, ‘if’ Sano rebuilds his stock next season, maybe he could involved in some sort of blockbuster revolving around him and New York’s Gary Sanchez next offseason.

What a fantastic article!  Thanks, Nick!

Two things not directly related to the article:

1) Is there a better adjective to describe the 2018 season than 'dispiriting"?

2) Is it just me or does Manny Machado "inadvertantly" hit catchers with his back swing often?

They need to eject, suspend, and fine hitters who hit catchers with back swings, not unlike pitchers who intentionally throw at hitters.

 

That will help a lot with concussions.

Amen.  A team is penalized if a batter interferes with the catcher on a ball in play.  Shouldn't the team be penalized if the batter hits a catcher in the head with his bat?  I'm looking at you, Adam Jones.

Absolutely! Football, at any level, has not found a perfect solution to helmet protection as of yet. But there have millions of dollars spent spent developing and testing different helmets and padding to help. Back in the day, remember some of the big foam exo-helmets? Baseball needs to examine better gear NOW for all catchers. Were I a professional catcher, I'd be looking at wearing the latest football helmet with the most up to date facemask padding I could find. Every athlete responds to the rigors of their sport, and injury, differently. Simply because we are all built differently. For Garver's sake, and the Twins, I hope he is fine. I never bought in to the sometimes exposed mantra of "he's too told to be a real prospect". I think he could have a really nice career behind the dish as a solid receiver with a much better than average bat. Even if Castro is 100%, I see Garver as the starter with Castro as a productive, experienced and knowledgeable platoon partner. Hoping for the best. And hoping this will be a small blip not worrying about. But I'd be contacting Bike, or Riddell, or whoever makes helmets these days looking for the best protection I can find.

They are making strides in better catching gear.  Tyler Flowers is part owner of what is supposed to be the new revolution of catcher masks, Force3.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/the-year-of-catcher-concussions-and-mlbs-battle-to-do-better-with-head-trauma/

Castro will be the main catcher still in 2019 so Mitch will get to prove himself a bench bat. Then we approach 2020. But if Garver can’t catch we have Willians. they need to fix the gear!

They need to eject, suspend, and fine hitters who hit catchers with back swings, not unlike pitchers who intentionally throw at hitters.

 

That will help a lot with concussions.

If the batter is in the batters box, it's the catcher responsibility to move back enough so he doesn't get hit in the head. 

I am sorry to read about this speculation.  If Garver is not able to catch he is really not valuable to the Twins future.  A very sad thought.

Yes, from a pure baseball standpoint: it's odd to say because Garver isn't even that great of a catcher (ok offensively, not great defensively) but that is his only value to this team. If he can't catch, there is zero reason for him to be on our roster

All catchers should switch to hockey goalie-type masks.  Goalies get hit in the head far more often than baseball catchers and yet the occurrence of a concussion is rare.  The design of the goalie helmet deflects the impact of direct hits.  The traditional baseball catcher mask does not.

It's also worth noting the fact that a baseball has a much broader surface to create an impact whereas a hockey puck (unless it's tumbling) is much narrower.

I think the Twins are fine with him as C but if there is another concussion then what....I think they are more worried about the next one ending his C career.

Has Castro suffered concussions?

I hope he's ok.

If he can catch, he's a nice player. If he can't...he hits like Kepler. Great behind the plate, not so great in other positions.

Would be a shame if concussions drive him out from behind the plate (and possibly out of the league). I'd like to see him as the primary catcher the next 2-3 season.

I heard or maybe read somewhere that the evolution of the catchers mask is partially responsible for the rash of concussions in recent years. I can't remember where I got it from so there is that. The point of it was that in years pst the catchers used masks with beefier (ie. iron) bars that provided solid protection. The newer masks have lighter weight materials that relieve pressure on the catchers (and umpires) but do not provide the same protection. Having played goalie in hockey, I can tell you that my bell was rung more than once while wearing a hockey mask. 

Nice to meet a few fellow goalies! No wonder why we get along... We're all crazy enough to willingly let someone shoot a puck as hard as they can against us!

Goalie??  Obviously, you didn't have a younger brother!