2023 Look Ahead: Predicting the Red Sox catching prospect that will be Boston bound
The Boston Red Sox currently have two catchers with expiring deals at the end of 2022... Where does this position group sit this next offseason?
Christian Vazquez is the longest tenured player on the Red Sox in 2022. As a ninth round pick in the 2008 draft, one could say the Red Sox got all the value and more out of the catcher. Taking over as the primary catcher in the 2017 season, Vazquez has held onto the position ever since. Could 2023 be the same case?
Vazquez and backup catcher Kevin Plawecki both have expiring deals at the end of the 2022 season. While Vazquez has turned it up at the plate as of late, it remains a mystery if the Red Sox will want to bring him back for another season. Plawecki on the other hand, seems like this will be his last season in Boston. A fan favorite and a clubhouse favorite, it will be tough to see him go. We are talking about the guy who created the idea of the home run cart:
There is no telling if one or both are gone this offseason, but one thing is certain. At least one catching prospect will most likely make the roster in a back up role, and the prospects in the high minors have some potential. Here are a few names to keep an eye out for next season.
Connor Wong
Connor Wong remains the most realistic option to land a roster spot next season. Wong came over to the Red Sox in the infamous Mookie Betts trade, and has yet to crack the roster for an extended period of time. It honestly feels like it is now or never for Connor Wong to stick around in a Red Sox uniform. At 26 years old, Wong has his eyes set on joining the big league roster in 2023 in a backup role and making the most of his chances. He is the first man up this season, as he had a six game stint due to Covid issues with Christian Vazquez. All signs point to Wong serving as the third catcher on the team once the rosters expand in September.
Ronaldo Hernandez
Acquired from the Rays in early 2021, we have not yet seen Hernandez in the big leagues in his Red Sox tenure. Hernandez is a bat-first catcher, and he has hit well throughout the lower minors. Scouts say he has a chance to become an everyday catcher, but his defense is holding him back. At just 24 years old, Hernandez could benefit from more time in AAA and working on his defense to make the leap to the majors. We do know that the Red Sox like this player a lot, and he had gotten called up in April and served as the backup catcher.
Kole Cottam
This last one is a bit of a long shot here, but Kole Cottam is an awesome story. His comeback after 13 surgeries around his eye is an insane story. A fourth round pick in 2018 out of the University of Kentucky, Cottam has the talent to make it to the pros. Was a non-roster invite to Red Sox spring training this year and will be invited again in 2023. The 25 year old hasn’t shown much pop, but has proven to be an average defender with a decent amount of contact in his bat. Look for Cottam to try to grab some attention during the 2023 Spring Training.
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