Jeez, what is it with us picking apart every single position on the field? We just seemingly solved first base with Nathaniel Lowe!

This catching issue HAS to be talked about though.

Since the All Star Break, neither Carlos Narvaéz nor Connor Wong have hit the ball well at all. Neither are above the Mendoza Line in August, and for Narvaéz that goes even further back into July. Each have different reasons for their drop off and causes of concern.

Let’s start with Narvaéz. The rookie has had a fantastic breakout season, including leading the Majors in caught stealing by five runners; he has a walk-off against the team that discarded him; he even joined MLB Network to discuss his season so far, which is awesome for him personally.

So what’s wrong? Usage time and, frankly, it’s Connor Wong’s fault. Aside from being Brayan Bello’s personal catcher, Wong seems to only make sporadic starts, leaving Narvaéz to fend for himself in 92 games played so far. He’s already been sidelined because of a knee issue, so the wear and tear on him is starting to show. Can Narvaéz bounce back with the bat? Absolutely. His OPS+ is still 100, bang average. Is it the most imperative issue considering he’s one of the best defensive catchers in the league? Not at the moment, but he’s gonna have to find the time to step it up at some point.

Wong has been a MUCH bigger concern for me. Connor Wong has been Connor Wrong just about all season long. A slash line of .169./239/.202/.441, only five RBIs, no homers and only four extra base hits? His OPS+ is 26. 26! He’s so far beyond replacement level, it’s astounding. I was frankly shocked because he was put into a very similar position last year and won the catching spot back. In 2024, he was in a race with Reese McGuire who had come out the gate HOT—yet Wong maintained the consistency to claim catcher no. 1, so much so that it behooved the Red Sox to DFA McGuire. Yes, they did trade for Danny Jansen, but Jansen was the certified backup and just a right-handed bat for bench balance. It was Wong’s backstop.

In 2025, there has been zero pushback to Narvaéz taking the reigns behind home plate.

What hurts even more is there’s no end to this in sight.

The Red Sox chose to trade backstop heir apparent Kyle Teel to the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade, something no one in Red Sox Nation would ever say they regret. Still, it leaves the organization severely thin to virtually empty at projectable Major League catchers. Newly signed Chadwick Tromp? Not the answer. Seby Zavala barely projects to be a backup, not consistent enough at the dish despite power. Ali Sanchez came and went, I’d be surprised he even landed in the New England area.

Whether this is something the Red Sox address in the draft next season, free agency in the winter, or via the trade market, what the club has behind the dish isn’t sustainable for the long term. We can watch Narvy and enjoy for now, but I sincerely hope the lack of depth at that position is not only noticed by the front office, but addressed properly.