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Ben Rice may not be the Yankees’ primary backup catcher in 2026.
The New York Yankees split their catching duties in the stretch run of the season last year between Ben Rice and Austin Wells.
Yet, with the Yankees’ season now days away from opening in Tampa, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reminded fans of JC Escarra, who he believes will back up Wells during the regular season.
Escarra had a .629 OPS and two home runs in 98 plate appearances over 40 games in his rookie season. He was supplanted by Rice, especially over the final two months of the season, where Rice played 22 games behind the plate while also splitting duties at first base.
JC Escarra Is Going To Start The Year As The Yankees’ Backup Catcher
Some Yankees fans may have forgotten about Escarra, since he was optioned to Triple-A in August and did not return to the active lineup. But Escarra was reportedly dealing with an injury that cost him winter ball experience.
Still, according to Kuty, the Yankees value Escarra’s ability to pitch frame.
“The team values Escarra’s lefty power potential but also his framing ability,” Kuty wrote. “. Last season, Escarra finished 13th in MLB in framing runs, at 3.3, according to Baseball Prospectus. That was despite having far fewer framing opportunities (1,831) than the catcher just ahead of him on the list, Jose Trevino (6,262). (Wells finished third in framing runs, at 11.0.).”
Kuty noted the odd dynamic of using two left-handed hitting catchers, though that would be the case if Rice were the backup as well.
But it remains to be seen how valuable pitch framing will be this season, since the ABS system will start this season in the major leagues full time. Batters will have the option to challenge missed ball-strike calls starting in spring training.
Amed Rosario Is Learning To Play First Base
Rice played 138 games at first base, DH and catcher last season yet largely ceded his first-base spot to Paul Goldschmidt against left-handed starting pitchers.
Yet, with Goldschmidt’s time with the Yankees likely to be over, the Yankees are trying out Amed Rosario at first due to his career dominance against lefties. Rosario, who the Yankees acquired Washington Nationals on July 26 then re-signed this offseason, has an .800 OPS in 1,196 plate appearances against lefty pitchers.
“Rosario will be used to mash against lefties (.819 OPS versus southpaws last season),” Kuty reported. “Mostly a third and second baseman, Rosario is expected to work out at first base this spring and potentially platoon with Ben Rice.”
Fans of Rice may be disappointed to see him having to split time again at catcher and first base again, particularly with how well he played at both positions and his 26 home runs and .836 OPS last year.
But Rice still expects to be start nearly every game against righties, which last year was 126 games. Plus, Kuty dropped in a valuable nugget that should offer optimism for Rice supporters, especially if Escarra’s value plummets due to ABS.
“Rice has also been working on his catching this offseason while preparing to be the full-timer at first base,” Kuty noted.
Pat Pickens is an experienced sports writer and media personality who has written for outlets like NHL.com, the Associated Press, the New York Times and USA Today. He covers the NFL, NBA, NHL and NBA as a breaking news contributor at Heavy. More about Pat Pickens
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