With the full team not required to report to camp until next week for the Philadelphia Phillies, all eyes are on the pitchers as they get their initial workouts in. While the pitchers get the attention, they can only start their work in tandem with the catchers in camp. In a camp defined by repetition and routine, the catcher’s presence is what allows pitchers to turn preparation into progress.
The Phillies have eight catchers reporting to Spring Training this year. J.T. Realmuto returns after a lengthy free agency, re-signing with the Phillies on a three-year, $45 million contract. Also invited to Spring Training are five catchers on the non-roster invite list: Kehden Hettiger, Mark Kolozsvary, Paul McIntosh, René Pinto, and Caleb Ricketts.
The final two catchers are, perhaps, the most important to pay attention to this Spring Training. Spoiler alert, they are the same two catchers as in 2025: Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs.
For nearly as long as Realmuto has caught in Philadelphia, one of the pair has been his backup. Marchán was first called up in September 2020 before earning the backup role in 2021. After Philadelphia acquired Stubbs from Houston in November 2021, however, Marchán was relegated back to the minor leagues in deference to Stubbs.
For three years straight, Stubbs served as the backup catcher and became known as the “chief vibes officer” and clubhouse disc jockey. In 2024, Stubbs batted .207 with a .558 OPS. He hit six extra-base hits (one home run) with 11 RBI over 187 plate appearances.
Last season, the Phillies chose to keep Marchán, who had exhausted his minor league options, and optioned Stubbs instead. Marchán’s 2025 season rang a similar note to Stubbs the previous year with a .210 average and .587 OPS. He did, however, provide a bit more power with six extra base hits (two home runs) and 13 RBI in only 118 plate appearances.
Now, offensive output from a backup catcher position is not of utmost concern. Providing strong defense and working well with the starting pitcher core, however, is.
This is where the Phillies have had a blessing the past several years in Marchán and Stubbs. The pair have two of the strongest arms and pop times in Major League Baseball. The pair, however, do struggle a bit in the framing department. In 2024, Stubbs had a catching value of -3 in pitch framing. Marchán, meanwhile, was -2 in 2025.
For all intents and purposes, the backup catcher job belongs to Marchán. The 26-year-old still has three years remaining on his rookie contract with no options remaining. Stubbs, 32, is on a one-year minor league contract.
If Stubbs wants to make the team out of Spring Training, his bid begins now. He needs to prove that he is the better option than Marchán, both offensively and defensively. He also will have a limited time to do so, as he will depart Spring Training early to compete in the World Baseball Classic.
Regardless of which catcher starts the year on the 26-man roster, the Phillies will likely need to employ both catchers to make it through the 2026 season. Catching is a taxing business, and at 34, Realmuto is not getting any younger, making depth behind him less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
