Previewing the 2015 Isotopes -- Catcher

The Rockies signed free agent catcher Nick Hundley to a two-year contract in the offseason, hoping to improve the team's defense behind the plate. At the time, Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich said the signing wasn't a precursor to a trade of Wilin Rosario and the team might keep three catchers in the majors. Indeed, Rosario wasn't traded, he's been working at first base and the corner outfield positions, and could be a super-utility player.

With the usual caveat that injuries and trades can change things, we'll project the Rockies major-league club to carry three catchers: Hundley, Rosario and Michael McKenry (who is out of options).

Now let's see what remains for the Rockies triple-A team in Albuquerque.

Top prospects at the position, according to Baseball America: Tom Murphy (#7 in 2014 and #6 in 2015); Jose Briceno (#29 in 2015).

Tom Murphy

Tom Murphy is considered by most to be the top catching prospect in the organization. He was drafted in the third round out of Buffalo University in 2012 and signed for $454,000. But he only played in 23 games last year at double-A Tulsa due to a shoulder injury, so it was essentially a lost year. He's been compared similarly to former Rockies catcher Chris Ianetta. Based on last year's injury, it's tough to imagine Murphy starting with the Isotopes, but a strong first half could put him in the PCL before the season ends.

Jose Briceno was at low-A Asheville last year and still only 21 years old, so he's a couple years from triple-A. [Jan. 30, 2015 update: Briceno was traded to the Braves, along with fellow Rockies minor league catcher Chris O'Dowd, for right-handed relievers David Hale and Gus Schlosser.]

Audry Perez

Minor league free agent signed: Audry Perez (62 games for triple-A Memphis).

Audry Perez spent the last seven years in the Cardinals organization, slowly climbing from a 19-year-old in Rookie Ball and initially reaching triple-A in 2013. He was called up to the majors the last two Septembers, getting into a combined three games and two plate appearances. Last year, he slashed .292/.298/.419 in 248 plate appearances with Memphis. Perez went 1-for-8 with four strikeouts from Aug. 12-13 at The Lab, the lone hit an RBI double off Barry Enright. He threw out 31 percent of base stealers, slightly below his 35 percent career total. This is why minor league free agency exists. Perez wasn't going anywhere in the Cardinals system. Now he gets a chance with the Rockies. On the surface, Perez appears to be solid organization depth and headed to Isotopes Park.

Last year's catchers at then-AAA Colorado Springs: Jackson Williams (72 games), Dustin Garneau (42 games), McKenry (22 games), Michael Ramirez (6 games), Rosario (2 games), Jose Gonzalez (1 game).

Williams was claimed off waivers by the Angels in October. His spot was essentially filled by Perez.

Dustin Garneau

Dustin Garneau is entering his seventh professional season, all with the Rockies, after they selected him in the 17th round of the 2009 draft out of Cal State Fullerton. Baseball America listed him as the best defensive catcher in the Rockies organization entering the 2014 season. He was promoted from double-A Tulsa to triple-A Colorado Springs in mid-June. However, Garneau wasn't the primary catcher on either team, logging 24 and 42 games, respectively. His slash line was .240/.327/.395 combined at the two levels. Garneau allowed Joc Pederson's 29th stolen base on August 22, then threw him out as he attempted his 30th the same game. The next night, Pederson had such a huge jump off Rafael Betancourt, Garneau didn't attempt a throw as Pederson reached the 30-30 Club. This is Williams' age-27 season, and it's likely we'll see him in Albuquerque.

Michael Ramirez spent most of last season at high-A Modesto, with a couple brief cameos at double-A Tulsa and triple-A Colorado Springs. Jose Gonzalez was signed out of the independent Frontier League in early June, and played sparingly at Tulsa and Colorado Springs. You would figure that neither would start in Albuquerque.

Last year's catchers at then-AA Tulsa: Ryan Casteel (39 games), Chris O'Dowd (25 games), Garneau (24 games), Gonzalez (23 games), Tom Murphy (23 games), Will Swanner (8 games), Ramirez (1 game).

Ryan Casteel, photo courtesy of Tulsa World

Ryan Casteel was invited to the play in the prestigious Arizona Fall League, so he's high on the team's radar. In addition to his 39 games catching at double-A Tulsa, he played 59 games at first base, while slashing .280/.341/.445 in 481 plate appearances. Not much left for Casteel to prove at double-A, so he's the likely ticketed for the Isotopes. However, how much does he catch? Casteel threw out 24 percent of base stealers last year and 27 percent for his career. He played more at first base than catcher last year. The Rockies place a high value on versatility. Maybe they keep three catchers in the majors and triple-A, knowing that Casteel will play a lot at first base.

Chris O'Dowd, the son of former Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd, began the season at high-A Modesto and was promoted to double-A Tulsa in mid-July. He also played in the Arizona Fall League. O'Dowd's combined slash line was .271/.335/.385. He only threw out 19 percent of base stealers. My instinct is that O'Dowd would have a high baseball IQ, since he's been around the game his whole life. But that's not fair to other catchers in the system whose dad wasn't a high-profile executive. I'm also not going to pretend like I have any idea how good any of these catchers are at framing pitches, blocking pitches and calling a game. A strong spring could bring him to Albuquerque, but with such quantity abound, it seems like a return to double-A is more likely for Opening Day.

(Jan. 30, 2015 update: O'Dowd was traded to the Braves, along with fellow Rockies minor league catcher Jose Briceno, for right-handed relievers David Hale and Gus Schlosser.]

Will Swanner began the season at high-A Modesto, where he spent all of 2013. Swanner was moved up to Tulsa in mid-July, where he played 11 game at first base and caught eight games. It would be a stretch to see Swanner in Albuquerque to begin the season.

Summary: The top candidates to begin the season with the Isotopes are Dustin Garneau, Audry Perez and Ryan Casteel. Considering the versatility of Casteel, three catchers are possible. Of course, if the major-league team only keeps two catchers, somebody from that trio is back at Tulsa, or on the dreaded "phantom" Disabled List.

Tom Murphy should get the bulk of the playing time at double-A Tulsa New Britain and a mid-season promotion wouldn't be a surprise. Catching is such a volatile position though. The Isotopes had 10 different catchers in 2013 and six in 2014. Just when it seems like you have too many, something happens and you don't have enough.