The Diamondbacks have begun to experiment moving Daulton Varsho out from behind home plate, per Nick Pecoro of the Arizona Republic. Varsho is the Diamondbacks #3 ranked prospect per Baseball America, #5 per MLB.com, while Fangraphs has him as the #77 overall prospect in their latest rankings.
Varsho’s bat has long been his calling card. Baseball America’s Best Hitter For Average in the Diamondbacks system following the 2018 season, he made the jump to Double-A this year and continued producing a rare combination of power and speed. His 20 stolen bases make him the first catcher in the upper reaches of the minors to hit that threshold since 2006. His overall numbers suggest he’ll reach Triple-A by next year at the latest (.301/.377/.527 with 25 doubles and 17 home runs).
The party line remains that Varsho can and will catch at the major-league level, but a move out from behind the plate has long been rumored for the Wisconsin native. Perhaps most telling is the fact that the Diamondbacks are now putting that plan into action: he started two games in centerfield this week, his first looks at game action from behind the mound. The Dbacks believe Varsho’s athleticism will allow for a smooth transition to the outfield.
Carson Kelly’s emergence as the full-time backstop in Phoenix has as much to do with this move as anything. Arizona is presumably preparing for a future in which Kelly and Varsho are in the same batting lineup. Kelly, 25, has shined in his first season as a regular starter, slashing .254/.349/.531 with 18 home runs. Defensively, he’s not the quickest off the mat, but he grades as an excellent pitch framer and he’s long been held in high regard as a game-caller.
The Diamondbacks have a solid collection of potential future centerfielders, but the likes of Alek Thomas, Kristian Robinson, and Corbin Carrol are years away from the major leagues. Ketel Marte started 78 games in centerfield, but he’s also a capable second baseman. As a franchise, take a look at the moves they’ve made in free agency and trades over the last year, and they clearly value versatility. Recent acquisitions with the utility gene include Wilmer Flores, Eduardo Escobar, Andy Young, and Josh Rojas. Varsho joining this group of highly flexible position players fits the organizational scheme, and for what it’s worth, it should make him a more marketable trade asset.
hitting .254 is now considered “shining”?
Catchers are always held to a different standard. .240 would be good. 18 HRs is huge
Yeah he’s got a nice line…debating on whether it’s time to choose him over Buster as a keeper in my dynasty league…pretty sure it’s time to mutually part ways with Buster lol
its the whole slash line. batting .254 is fine when you’re OPSing .880.
using average as the only metric for a player is no considered “idiotic”?
Ok .254 is shining for catcher… what will that make him as a CF?
Kelly isn’t moving to CF
It’s a good thing he’s the catcher and the one who isn’t moving to CF.
Reading comprehension is hard.
Who’s on first though?
Let’s not use batting average to measure a player please.
Solid OBP, great Slugging, and from a good defensive catcher. He’s been incredible
25 points higher than league average obp… slugging above the mlb average. He gets on pase and hits for power above average, I’d consider that shining, especially for a catcher.
That’s why you don’t look at BA and stop reading.
Shades of Dale Murphy!
First…it’s Kelly who’s hitting .254 and he’s not moving to CF. Second…batting average isn’t a key offensive statistic. You have to look at the overall numbers.
It’s not like Varsho was ever considered a plus as a catcher. It’s another good move by a FO that makes some pretty good decisions.
Even if he was, Mr. Kelly’s presence makes that a logjam. Carson knows all about the problems of being blocked behind the plate. Any added versatility you’d think is a good thing. Just have to hope he’s not another Blake Swihart.
I like the idea of moving Varsho to center. He has the speed and the hitting ability to become a top CF. Move Marte back to second and Kelly at catcher and Escobar at third and they have a very good foundation. Ahmed is a solid defender at short with some pop. Peralta is a top OFer. The D’backs have some very good players.
Any Relationship to Gary Varsho?
Son…..named after the late Darren Daulton.
RIP Dutch
It would be awesome for a club to have him as a full time center fielder and be their emergency catcher or even backup for short stints (due to roster movements)
Have a guy who can physically catch in a pinch is nice
Hopefully he will continue to catch once or twice a week in the minors. If he can remain credible behind the plate, being able to have the occasional spot start and be able to catch a couple of innings if they PH for the #2 catcher would provide great flexibility.
cmon, cant be moving on from catcher with a name like that.
Has a catcher ever moved to CF in the history of the game?
Didn’t Biggio initially go to center before 2nd?
Craig Biggio… Catcher, 2B, CF
Bryce Harper was also a catcher in high school.
Oh, and Votto too
Dale Murphy was a catcher before moving to first for most of his first two full seasons and then to center field.
I would think he would be more valuable in a trade for pitching, which you would think he could bring you back a good arm. Say like to the Brewers for maybe Peralta then you can plug him in at starting catcher next year. It would save you like 16 million that they paid Grandal. then they could use that money they save , plus money coming off the books for a front line pitcher. Just a thought
Giving him more versatility will only increase his value