As we bring this season preview on the catching position, it also brings to mind the endgame for J.T. Realmuto. We’ve written often about the need to start bringing his innings down both for the good of the team and for the health of the player. While he has been a relative paragon of health when considering all the things a catcher has to go through, he is also reaching the point in his career where maybe expecting him to catch 130+ games shouldn’t be expected anymore.
We know that Realmuto isn’t out of shape. Ask any of his teammates about his ability to keep himself at peak performance level and you’re likely to hear earfuls.