Braves’ catchers are a well-rounded bunch

MIAMI — In the big leagues, it seems catchers are grouped. Fair or not, they may be placed into a bucket.

Offensive catcher. Defensive catcher.

It’s rare to find both in the same catcher. One usually is sacrificed for the other.

In Sean Murphy and Travis d’Arnaud, the Braves have two who can do both. They provide pop in the batting order while also leading the pitching staff. And with d’Arnaud on the injured list because of a concussion sustained last month, Chadwick Tromp has filled in nicely when needed.

“We’re very fortunate in the organization to have that kind of depth,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “But to have two No. 1 guys, kind of like Murph and Travis, is kind of rare.”

Murphy, known for his defense, was one of the best catchers in the sport – and that was before he experienced the strongest offensive start of his career. And d’Arnaud, on the other hand, is an All-Star catcher.

Both would start on a lot of teams.

Murphy entered Tuesday’s series opener in Miami leading all qualified catchers in OPS (1.060), home runs (8) and on-base percentage (.413). He ranked tied for first with 22 RBIs.

Last season, d’Arnaud hit 18 homers and drove in 60 runs. He posted a .791 OPS.

“Everybody in our lineup can get you at any point,” pitcher Spencer Strider said. “Everybody’s going to fight, put up good at-bats, and we have a bonus of them playing great defense. That’s especially the case with our catchers. And no matter who we roll back there, we’re in good shape.”

Since the start of last season, Braves catchers – which includes everyone who has played the position, even someone like Manny Piña – lead the sport with an .877 OPS. Their 43 homers are the most of any team’s catchers, as are their 121 RBIs.

This wouldn’t matter as much if they didn’t prioritize defense. The Braves give their catchers a ton of responsibility. It’s an important position for them.

So, yes, the Braves’ catchers have produced a lot – relative to the position – since the beginning of last year.

But they’re not sacrificing the important part of their job.

“In terms of run prevention, having guys that are back there that really, really care about their jobs as catchers, it really helps on the pitching side,” pitcher Charlie Morton said. “Pitching and defense wins baseball games. Over the course of the season, that’s what wins games, and especially in the postseason.

“When you know the guy out there cares as much about his job – if not more about his job – behind the dish as he does his offense, isn’t taking bad at-bats to home plate – when guys aren’t doing that, they’re doing what our guys do, it’s (great). And to have two guys like (Murphy and d’Arnaud) has been pretty good. And Tromp, too. No matter what, you show up at the park, you’re gonna have a guy that cares about his job behind the dish.”

Iglesias getting closer

Relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias is scheduled to pitch in the next couple of days, Snitker said Tuesday. He’s still day to day.

“Everything’s pointing in the right direction,” Snitker said. “I think we’ll see him sooner than later.”

Arcia ‘not far off’

Last week, infielder Orlando Arcia said he hopes to play again by the time the Braves return for their homestand.

That is Friday.

“He’s still just doing his daily stuff,” Snitker said. “He’s getting better, stronger.”

Arcia is not yet swinging the bat.

Snitker said the re-testing and re-imaging on the fractured wrist has shown that everything is headed in the right direction.

“He’s amping up stuff, but should be not too far off, I wouldn’t think,” Snitker said.

One top prospect promoted

Right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver, one of the Braves’ top prospects, was promoted to Double-A Mississippi on Tuesday.

In three starts for High-A Rome, Smith-Shawver hurled 14 scoreless innings. He allowed only six hits. He struck out 23 batters and walked four.

The Braves drafted Smith-Shawver in the seventh round in 2021. Before signing with the Braves, he’d planned to go to Texas Tech to play football (as a quarterback) and baseball.

Smith-Shawver is the No. 4 prospect in the Braves’ system, according to MLB Pipeline.

Ozuna in the lineup versus Miami’s ace

Snitker put Marcell Ozuna in the lineup Tuesday as the designated hitter against Miami ace Sandy Alcantara.

“He’s done well off of him,” Snitker said. “He’s one of the guys on our team that’s seen him a lot and got a little history.”

In his career versus Alcantara, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, Ozuna is 7-for-15 with a double and an RBI.