While most clubs deploy a clear starter and backup with regard to their catching tandem, the Mariners will have a much more balanced workload behind the plate in 2020, manager Scott Servais told reporters this week (link via Greg Johns of MLB.com). Tom Murphy and Austin Nola will split time in a roughly “55-45” timeshare, per Servais, who acknowledged that Murphy will likely get the nod on Opening Day (and, presumably, receive the slightly larger workload at catcher).
Both Murphy, 28, and Nola, 30, were plucked from relative obscurity by Seattle — the former in a minor trade and the latter on a minor league deal. Both turned in productive efforts in limited time in 2019, as well. Murphy was a clear backup to Omar Narvaez (traded to Milwaukee this winter), catching 67 games while hitting .273/.324/.535 with 18 home runs in 281 plate appearances.
Statcast graded Murphy’s framing efforts nicely behind the plate, and in spite of below-average pop time, Murphy was able to nab 39 percent of the runners who attempted to steal against him. The former top prospect was cut loose by the Rockies organization without ever being afforded an extended look in the Majors, landing with the division-rival Giants on a waiver claim. Four days later, the Giants traded him to Seattle for minor league righty Jesus Ozoria.
As for Nola, the older brother of Phillies righty Aaron Nola, he was simply cut loose by the Marlins organization after making the transition from infielder to catcher while in Triple-A. He functioned more as an infielder with the Mariners in 2019, catching only seven games but appearing in 59 games at first base and another 15 at second base.
However, Nola is focused “strictly” on catching in 2020, per Johns, which is surely due in no small part to the expected emergence of prospect Evan White as the Mariners’ Opening Day first baseman. White signed a six-year contract with three club options before ever appearing in a big league game and is poised to break camp with the club. But even with first base now spoken for, it seems Nola’s strong showing in 2019 will earn him an extended audition elsewhere. Nola ripped through the Pacific Coast League with a .327/.415/.520 slash (134 wRC+) in 55 games last year before being called to the Majors — a promotion to which he responded with a .269/.342/.454 slash (267 plate appearances, 114 wRC+).
Given Nola’s versatility, it’s still possible he’ll see time at other positions, but with Narvaez out of the picture, he’ll have his first extended run as a catcher at the MLB level. Eventually, top catching prospect Cal Raleigh could push his way onto the MLB scene, although at that point, one can imagine Nola as an ideal candidate for the newly created 26th roster spot, given his experience at catcher, first base, second base and third base (as well as a couple of corner-outfield cameos). The 23-year-old Raleigh was Seattle’s third-round pick in 2018 and batted a combined .251/.323/.497 between Class-A Advanced and Double-A last year.
nats3256
geez, some of the headline got cut off on my pop up. I thought it was saying daniel murphy and nolan arrenardo to split time at third.
MetsFan22
Should we even talk about this team?
bigdaddyhacks
I often wonder this about the Mets as well.
MetsFan22
Why wouldn’t you talk about a potential WS winner??
bigdaddyhacks
You poor soul
martevious
Ha ha….you are humorous!
martevious
The best thing about your Mets is that we got them to take Cano’s salary. Ha! The jokes on you!
MetsFan22
Jokes on you… your still paying cano. You didn’t get rid of the whole contract. And we will probably still be better than you when your prospects come up!! How was your last WS for ya?!!!
myaccount
Please don’t. Let Sheffield, Dunn, Gilbert, Williamson, White, Lewis, Kelenic, and Rodriguez develop in a low pressure environment. Ignore them until we get Marte, Kirby, Campbell, etc coming up the pipeline,
MetsFan22
Rodriguez Kelenic and Lewis should be good but the others. I don’t really see it
threefires42
Dunn will be a 4/5 one day and kelenic will be an all star. Every scout and GM for the most part believes that. Don’t be salty just because Brody got fleeced and the mets still cannot get out of their own way.
MetsFan22
Yes I said Kelenic will be good! Read! Dunn will be a reliever I’m not sad one but we got rid of him.. Kelenic is another story…..
MetsFan22
That* where the one but is
isoar
It appears you feel you need to.
dynamite drop in monty
Sounds like a good way to demotivate both players early in spring. Well done?
Michael Chaney
What’s demotivating about that? They’re both getting an extended opportunity in the majors (neither of them have really had that opportunity before part of last year), they’ll both stay fresh, and they can be played in matchups that will set them up to succeed.
mlb1225
Plus it’s not like Nola is limited to just catcher. He can be used anywhere over the infield, so he’ll get almost regular playing time as he probably will get reps at every infield position when he’s not behind the plate.
khopper10
Seems like Nola is going to seriously regress this year. I hope I’m wrong.
pinkerton
Yeesh. Some of you are a happy bunch!
spooky
Zaidi traded Murphy so he could add Kratz. Nice call Farhan
SFGbreezy
Not a quality move
HalosHeavenJJ
Solid opportunity for each guy to show what he has. Maybe this takes a little pressure off, too, as they know a rough game or two won’t end their MLB time.
loota.
55-45 is not even.
DarkSide830
it a day in age where most teams have a C1 and C2 its pretty even.
emt126
Hoping Tom stays healthy. Will have a great year
houkenflouken
Murphy didnt hit righties particularly well last year while Nola did. So maybe looking at a very light platoon situation here. I’m exited for these guys this year
throwinched10
Let’s just fast forward to 2021/2022 when the Mariners roster looks like this:
C – Raleigh
1b – White
2b – Long
SS – Crawford
3b – Marte/Seager
LF – Lewis/Smith
CF – Kelenic
RF – Rodriguez
DH – Haniger/Vogelbach
SP – Gilbert, Gonzales, Dunn, Sheffield, Kikuchi.
khopper10
Plus a free agent SP and middle infielder hopefully
painterman360
Die hard Ms fan here, but no one on that lineup instills fear in an opposing team. And the ones that may later, have not even seen mlb pitching yet
24TheKid
Lol… this might in the top 10 worst takes I’ve seen on here. Yeah, I’m guessing the A and AA prospects don’t instill fear into the major league players. I’m also pretty sure no major league player was fearing Jose Altuve, Christian Yelich, Kris Bryant, or Francisco Lindor when they were 18, 19, 20 or 21 years old either.
painterman360
When was the last time seattle produced an Altuve or Yelich?
painterman360
Griffey? Arod?
24TheKid
What does that have to do with Jerry Dipoto or my point?
painterman360
You say I have a bad take because I refute the other member posting a “scary” lineup for 20-21 seasons. That’s all
painterman360
I never mentioned Jerry dipoto
24TheKid
Jerry Dipoto hasn’t been in charge of player development the last 20 years. So what does he have to do with the Mariners not producing superstars during that time period? Because he’s in charge now, not then.
painterman360
Considering the Ms brass over the last 20, I feel a bit skeptical about any of their management endeavors and choices for manning the ship