Let’s talk about the latest move behind the plate. The Atlanta Braves have brought in veteran catcher James McCann on a minor league deal, as Robert Murray of FanSided reported. At first glance, this might seem like a routine depth move, but there’s a little more going on here.
McCann Brings Experience but Limited Offense
For starters, this comes right on the heels of the Braves cutting loose Curt Casali and reassigning Sandy León to minor league camp. That left Atlanta a little thin at catcher, especially with Sean Murphy set to start the season on the injured list.
With Chadwick Tromp left on the 40-man roster, the Braves clearly needed another option. Here comes McCann, who brings experience and leadership to the table.
Now, let’s be real—McCann isn’t here to set the world on fire offensively. Over the past two seasons as Adley Rutschman’s backup in Baltimore, he hit .228 with a .274 on-base percentage. Not exactly eye-popping numbers.
He’s got some pop in his bat, but his biggest value comes from his ability to handle a pitching staff. He’s well-respected in that department, even if his pitch-framing and blocking metrics don’t scream “elite.”
Is Drake Baldwin Still the Favorite for Opening Day?
So, what does this mean for the Opening Day roster? All signs still point to top prospect Drake Baldwin getting the call. The 23-year-old has been raking this spring, hitting .333 with a great strikeout-to-walk ratio.
He also put up impressive numbers in the minors last year, slashing .270/.384/.460 across two levels. There’s no question he has more offensive upside than McCann or Tromp, but young catchers often face a steep learning curve when jumping to the majors.
That’s where McCann’s presence becomes interesting. With only a week left in Spring Training, he’s not expected to be ready for Opening Day. The plan is for him to start the season in Triple-A Gwinnett, per MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.
If Baldwin struggles early, or the Braves decide they want a more experienced option until Murphy returns, McCann could find himself in the big leagues sooner rather than later.
A Smart Depth Move for the Braves
This move is all about depth and insurance. McCann gives Atlanta another veteran option in case things don’t go smoothly with Baldwin. According to Buster Olney, he will only have a $1M salary when he reaches the big leagues. He was not an expensive option all in all.
It’s not a flashy signing, but it’s a smart one. Because in baseball, you never know when you’ll need an extra catcher—especially when your starter is on the shelf.
