Padres Add Catching Depth

The Padres are already pretty deep at catcher with Yasmani Grandal and Rene Rivera at the major league level and Austin Hedges as one of the top catching prospects in the game. That’s why all three have mentioned in trade rumors lately as the Friars look to add more offense.

You need depth at catcher since so many random injuries can happen at the position. Concussions, foul tips, broken fingers catching 100 MPH fastballs.

I’m sure Logan White had a part in this move as the Padres signed former Dodgers catcher Griff Erickson to a minor league deal. Erickson played in 60 games for the Dodgers AAA affiliate. He posted a .297/.384/.510 with seven homers and 29 RBI. Erickson only threw out 11% of baserunners last season after throwing out twice as much in 2012.

Erickson will turn 27 in March during Spring Training. I can’t see him being on the MLB roster at any point this upcoming season, but you never know. Maybe with a different organization, and a different set of eyes watching him, he could get a chance if someone goes down.