Sep 28, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (11) throws the ball to first base for an out in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Photo Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Phillies landed All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto in a trade from the Miami Marlins in exchange for catcher Jorge Alfaro, right-hander Sixto Sanchez, left-hander Will Stewart and $250,000 in international bonus slot money.
Realmuto will turn 28 in March. He’s arguably the best offensive catcher’s in baseball and could be in line for a spike offensively moving to the hitter-friendly confines of Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.
In 2018, Realmuto hit. 277 in 477 at-bats. He had 30 doubles, three triples and established a new career-high with 21 home runs. He also established a career-high in runs scored (74).
Realmuto doubles as a good defensive catcher. He had seven errors in 879 total chances (.992 fielding percentage) and threw out 21 of 34 potential base stealers.
Alfaro, 25, was the top catcher in the Phillies organization. He hit .262 with 16 doubles, 10 home runs and two triples in 344 at-bats last season. He also tied Realmuto in throwing out a National League-high 21 would-be base-stealers last season.
The downside of Alfaro is his swing-and-miss rate. He struck out 138 times last season.
Right-handed pitcher Sixto Sanchez, 20, has a fastball that can reach triple-digits combined with an above-average curveball and changeup. He’s not a big guy (6-foot, 185 pounds), but he could develop into a top-of-the-rotation starter with continued development.
Stewart doesn’t throw as hard as Sanchez, but he possesses low 90s heat and a good circle changeup.
