Topped by Grandal, McCann, White Sox loaded at catcher
They have two all-stars, and more.
From top to bottom, the White Sox are loaded at the catching position.
In 2018, Seby Zavala pushed his way to Class AAA Charlotte and was rated No. 3 on the organizational depth chart.
This spring, Zavala checks in at No. 5.
"A hallmark of a good team is having quality depth," Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "That's something we talked about from the start of being one of the goals that we set out to accomplish through this rebuild and quite frankly, it was one of the things I've talked about publicly perhaps of not being entirely there yet in terms of organizational depth at certain spots.
"Catcher isn't one of those spots."
Even though he had all-star James McCann returning this season, Hahn signed Yasmani Grandal to a four-year, $73 million contract on Nov. 21.
Playing for the Brewers in 2019, Grandal led all major-league catchers with 109 walks and a .380 on-base percentage while establishing career highs with 28 home runs and 77 RBI.
A two-time all-star, Grandal is also one of the best pitch framers in the game.
He takes over as the White Sox's starting catcher, dropping McCann to the backup role.
Zack Collins, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2016 draft, is No. 3 but Yermin Mercedes is making a strong push for major-league playing time this spring.
In his first 13 Cactus League games, the 27-year-old Mercedes is batting .381 with 4 home runs and 9 RBI.
It's never wise to put too much emphasis on March statistics, but Mercedes captured the Sox's attention last season when he hit a combined .317 with 23 homers and 80 RBI over 95 games with Charlotte and Class AA Birmingham.
"I'm feeling great because I'm just doing my job here," Mercedes said earlier in training camp. "Keep working hard every day and wait for the White Sox to give me the opportunity."
With rosters expanding to 26 this year - up from 25 in the past - the Sox might very well open the season with three catchers.
Grandal and McCann are locks, assuming the latter isn't traded.
Mercedes gives the Sox a power bat from the right side of the plate and Collins has great pop from the left side.
"It's a good group," said McCann, who batted .273 with 18 home runs and 60 RBI in 118 games for the White Sox last season. "You get ready to play, you get ready to take care of your business each and every day. Obviously, it's a team-first mentality, but there is a personal side to it of making sure that you're ready to play and whatever that means to get yourself ready to play."