There were questions heading into the season about whether Victor Caratini could serve as a competent enough backup catcher to prevent Joe Maddon from wearing Willson Contreras out for a second consecutive season. And those who believed in Caratini’s skills no doubt wondered how he’d be able to develop at and behind the plate with very limited playing time.
Not only does Caratini play the most labor-intensive defensive position in the game, he’s a switch hitter. Trying to achieve mastery of the nuances of catching while also maintaining swings from both sides is no easy task, even for someone who’s doing it every day.