Newcomers, prospects and vets: 4 backup catcher options

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Just when you thought the Athletics had their catching situation settled ahead of Spring Training, an unexpected roster move shook things up.

Less than two weeks before pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 12, the A¡¯s claimed catcher Jhonny Pereda off waivers from the Marlins on Thursday. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, catcher Kyle McCann was designated for assignment.

McCann served as the backup to A¡¯s catcher Shea Langeliers for the entirety of the 2024 season, so Thursday¡¯s move comes as a bit of a surprise. In 54 games with the A¡¯s last season, McCann hit .236 with five homers and 15 RBIs, though he graded out as a below-average catcher in a few defensive metrics.

Pereda is now the only other catcher on the 40-man roster, though his lack of experience -- the 28-year-old has appeared in a total of 20 Major League games -- might suggest that he is not necessarily a lock to begin the season in the big leagues.

Langeliers, who has appeared in 254 games at catcher for the A¡¯s over the past two seasons, remains firmly entrenched as the club¡¯s everyday backstop. With McCann now likely out of the picture, let¡¯s take a look at who could fill that backup catcher job:

Pereda

It took over 11 years of grinding through professional baseball before Pereda finally received his first call to the Majors last season with the Marlins. In 20 games with Miami, he slashed .231/.250/.231. With the slugging Langeliers expected to get the majority of time at the position, offense likely will take a backseat to defense when it comes to determining his backup, so Pereda has a shot to earn that role if he can prove to be a capable defender.

Tyler Soderstrom

Taken 26th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft by the A¡¯s as a catcher, Soderstrom has seen his time behind the plate dwindle with each year that goes by. The former top prospect appeared in 59 games at first base last season for the A¡¯s, as opposed to one game at catcher. The A¡¯s still believe Soderstrom has special abilities as a hitter, and with another first baseman in Nick Kurtz (Athletics' No. 2 prospect/MLB No. 38) seemingly on the fast track to the big leagues, shifting the 23-year-old Turlock, Calif., native back to catcher might be an option here, with his left-handed bat presenting the possibility for more of a natural left-right platoon with Langeliers.

Daniel Susac

It¡¯s probably a bit too early Susac (Athletics' No. 11 prospect) to become a factor here as he has yet to play above Double-A Midland. He will get a chance to perform in big league camp as a non-roster invitee, and a strong performance this spring could go a long way in helping him earn a call to the Majors at some point this season.

Veteran outsider

There are a few veteran catchers available on the free-agent market such as Yasmani Grandal, Luke Maile and James McCann. The A¡¯s could also look to acquire a veteran backstop via trade or wait to see how roster crunches play out across the league during Spring Training.