Plawecki trying to catch on
New Sox catcher looking to fit in behind Vazquez
FORT MYERS — After five seasons of playing in the majors, all as a backup catcher, Kevin Plawecki didn’t know what to expect when he was non-tendered and became a free agent this winter, but he’s more than happy with how it ended up.
When the Red Sox traded Sandy Leon to the Indians early in the offseason, it created an immediate need for a backup catcher behind Christian Vazquez. They pounced on Plawecki, who didn’t have many options but loved the fit with the Red Sox.
Plawecki said he had just two suitors, but after speaking to general manager Brian O’Halloran and then-manager Alex Cora, it became an easy decision.
“I didn’t come here for a certain person, I came here to play for the organization, and this organization speaks volumes,” Plawecki said here at JetBlue Park, where pitchers and catchers reported on Wednesday. “It’s a great place to be, it’s a great place to play. I love Fenway. I love that this team is competing every year and that’s ultimately what I want, is to win, so I felt like this was the best fit for me. …
“I think the market was what it was. I didn’t know what it was going to be. It wasn’t up to me, I wasn’t in control of that, so I trusted in the process and I’m happy that we were able to work something out down here with them. … When it came down to it, it was a no-brainer.”
After breaking out offensively with 23 homers last season, Vazquez slots in as the Red Sox’ potential everyday starter behind the dish, and if not, seeing the bulk of the playing time. That makes
Plawecki, who signed a oneyear deal with the Sox, the top candidate to be his backup.
Interim manager Ron Roenicke said Wednesday that if Vazquez is healthy and performing well, “we’re going to try to get him out there as much as possible.” He cautioned against putting a number on how many games he would play.
Vazquez played in a career-high 138 games last season, and based on Roenicke’s comments, that number in 2020 could be expected to be similar. But though Plawecki has struggled offensively in his first five big-league seasons, he could provide a decent complement to Vazquez.
A former top prospect with the Mets, Plawecki has prided himself on defense and calling games. In 2019, he ranked 13th in Baseball Prospectus’ Fielding Runs Above Average metric, which was two spots ahead of Vazquez.
“I’d like to say calling a game is a strong point,” Plawecki said. “My receiving’s strong, so other than that, I just try to be the best all-around player I can be.”
The Red Sox now have some options at catcher, a position they’ve recently been weak in developing. They acquired 23-year-old prospect Connor Wong from the Dodgers in the trade that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to Los Angeles, and though he probably needs some more time to develop, he’s easily their best catching prospect.
Wong has the ability to play the infield, too, but he projects best as a catcher. His time may not come soon, but an impressive season last year, when he hit .349 with a .997 OPS in 40 games in Double-A, suggests he’s on the right path.
“We haven’t really talked about what they want to see out of me,” Wong said. “I assume catcher because that’s what I am, but I see myself as a guy who can help the team anywhere, and that’s what I plan on doing.”
For now, Vazquez is the clear-cut top guy, which puts less pressure on those behind him.
Plawecki’s focus right now is simply getting comfortable. He admitted he didn’t know anyone on the Red Sox before joining them, though he barely knew Andrew Benintendi through a mutual friend, and he said he’s using his time to start camp to pick Vazquez’s brain and get his body right for the season.
“I’m not here to prove anything,” Plawecki said. “I just try to give it 100% every day, work hard, put good at-bats together, try to catch a good game and really just try to get as many wins as possible when I’m in there. There’s nothing, I don’t think, I need to prove or anything exactly, it’s just sticking to my routine and having fun and working hard.”