'25 Overview: Catcher's position

I think any discussion about the catching position has to begin with reasonable expectations and standards for a Beaver backstop. Where have we set the bar for catchers? Certainly not at the level Adley played during his OSU career, you can hope for that but it isn’t realistic. What do we expect to see offensively, defensively and with the leadership from that position?

IF Smith and/or Weber don’t sign to play professionally and decide to return for one more year, you could expect to see offensive improvement from one or both. The Beavers also redshirted two freshman catchers this year with Evan Gustavson from Eau Claire-Altoona HS Wisconsin and Anthony Marnell Jr. from Las Vegas-Bishop Gorman HS. OSU will also welcome two skilled catchers in the fall, Martin Serrano from Pocatello, Idaho HS and PBR’s Oregon’s POY, Ryan Vandenbrink from back-2-back state 6A Champion West Linn HS. If by chance all of that were to happen, we would have six catchers competing in the fall. In my view, that scenario seems impossible. Also, we shouldn’t forget that outfielder Easton Talt can catch at this level. and Coach Canham has mentioned that on several occasions.

Starting with the Slash, quantitatively the combined results from the catcher's position in 2024:
Combined Slash Line was .250/ .370/ .500 with 870 OPS.

AB: 220, H: 55, R: 55, XBH: 11 DBL, 4 TRP, 12 HR, TB: 110, BB: 37, HBP: 6, K: 66, SB: 1-2, BA: .250, OBP: .370, SLG: .500, BB:K RATIO: 1:1.54, K:AB % = 34.9%

Defensively, our catchers had 600 chances, made 588 put-outs, had 36 assists, and executed 4 DP’s. Our catchers were charged with 6 errors. Our pitchers uncorked 39 WP this year and probably 39 more that were gloved on the short hop or 3’ wide of the strike zone. Our catchers were charged with 5 PB. Smith’s fielding % was .994, Weber’s was .986.

In looking at our production from the catcher’s position over the last seven years, 2024 appears to fare better than 2020 (Pandemic year), 2022 and 2023. Offensive output in 2018 and 2019 was exceptional and 2021 saw very good productivity from 3 catchers. Here is a thumbnail look at those years.

2018
Rutschman .407/ .503/ .630 with 9 HR’s, 52 passes and 39 K’s.
Claunch .321/ .512/ .571 with 2 HR’s. 8 passes and 16 K’s.

2019
Rutschman .411/ .575/ . 751 with 17 HR’s, 77 passes and 38 K’s.
Claunch .264/ .333/ .347 with 1 HR

2020 (Pandemic shortened season)
Claunch ,244/ .306/ .489 with 3 HR, 4 passes and 20 K’s.
Hamilton .167/ .211/ .278 with 1 pass and 3 K’s.

2021
Claunch .305/ .379/ .399 with 4 HR’s, 26 passes and 39 K’s.
Logan .318/ .375/ .545 with 1 HR and 2 passes.
Hamilton .316/ .483/ .364 with 1 HR, 7 passes and 5 K’s.

2022
Logan .281/ .370/ .431 with 3 HR’s, 24 passes and 21 K’s.
Smith .232/ .327/ .411 with 4 HR’s, 14 passes and 32 K’s.

2023
Smith 236/ .323/ .379 with 3 HR’s, 19 passes and 41 K’s.
Weber .198/ .287/ .346, 11 passes and 18 K’s,

* * * "Passes" stat is the sum of BB and HBP combined.

Looking forward to 2025, a few comments; I think we should anticipate a higher batting average, a higher OBP, and a reduction of the K% from 34.9% to about 20 % next year. The 12 home runs and .500 SLG were the bright spots at the position and might be difficult to duplicate. Gustavson is 6-2, 218 and has some HR pop in his bat, Vandenbrink hit 8 Dingers in 28 games at West Linn HS this spring.