The backup Catcher has had a valuable role on a baseball team since the beginning of baseball. Catching is physically the toughest job on a baseball team. Foul tips, the constant squatting behind the plate, the now rare home plate collision, and blocking pitches in the dirt takes it's toll on any catcher. That is what makes a backup Catcher so valuable. Being a great hitter is not a necessity for a backup. Being able to call a good game, handle a pitching staff, throw out the occasional baserunner, and play solid defense is all a backup catcher needs to do to cement his roll on the team.
The backup catcher probably does need to bat higher than the .116 which is what Dodger backup Catcher A.J. Ellis is currently hitting. That is barely over half of the infamous Mendoza Line. This is after he batted .191 last year as the primary starter. Starter Yasmani Grandal and his .291 average is on the seven day concussion disabled list so Rookie Austin Barnes got the call from AAA Oklahoma City and went 1 for 3 in his debut on Sunday.
I don't know if the Dodgers are shopping for a backup Catcher or not but it will be interesting to see what happens around the trade deadline.
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