Austin Hedges has been all but handed the Opening Day starting catchers job. Since the San Diego Padres went out and signed veteran backstop A.J. Ellis, we could only assume that he was the de facto backup.
Then Rafael Lopez began absolutely raking in Peoria and, while the situation may not have changed all that considerably, he has put his name in the proverbial hat for a roster spot on Opening Day.
Everyone who follows the Friars, myself included, would be more than satisfied with Ellis going into the season behind Hedges, with Lopez in the minors (Triple-A at the rate he’s going now).