As Opening Day approaches in just one week, the 26-man roster for the Boston Red Sox is becoming clearer. On March 20, they settled on their catching duo for the beginning of the season.
The Red Sox sent catcher Blake Sabol to minor league camp, leaving Connor Wong and Carlos Narváez as two of the final 45 players in Sox camp. Unless there are any injuries or significant alterations, they are anticipated to be the Sox’s top two catchers.
Boston obtained Sabol, 27, through a trade with the Giants to serve as a depth catching alternative after 2024 catchers Danny Jansen and Reese McGuire left in free agency last year. Sabol recorded a batting line of .211/.348/.263, accumulating four hits, five strikeouts, and four walks over 11 appearances in the Grapefruit League.
Wong appeared to be a guaranteed choice for the starting catcher position following his impressive season last year. The Red Sox traded top catching prospect Kyle Teel to the White Sox, and with Wong as the final remnant from the Mookie Betts trade, they seem intent on making something happen.
Red Sox assign Blake Sabol to minor league camp, with Connor Wong and Carlos Narváez expected to be Boston’s catching duo in 2025.
Wong had a batting average of .280/.333/.425 with 24 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs, and 52 RBIs across 126 games last season. He maintained a batting average well into the .300s until July, when both he and the Red Sox collectively started to slow down. He’s hitting .190/.280/.476 in nine appearances during spring training.
The Sox obtained Narváez this offseason as part of an unusual trade with the Yankees. On December 11, they traded right-handed pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz along with cash considerations to New York. Narváez has played six games in the major leagues during the 2024 season, where he recorded a batting average of .231/.333/.231 with three hits, six strikeouts, and two walks. He has recorded a .226/.333/.290 batting line in 14 appearances during the Grapefruit League.
Narváez will add a fresh level of defense to Boston’s primary catching duo. Wong was positioned below the 10th percentile in blocking above average and framing during the last season, while Narváez performed at roughly league-average in those areas during his brief time in the majors. Red Sox catching coach Parker Guinn discussed the ex-Yankee’s defensive skills with Christopher Smith of MassLive on March 29.
“He was among the best, if not the best, defenders in Triple-A last year,” Guinn stated. “Amazing receiver.”
Wong’s hitting surge and Narváez’s defensive prowess create a strong duo behind the plate for Boston. Ideally, Wong will overcome his spring training difficulties at the plate and remain an important right-handed bat in the Sox’s 2025 roster.
A New Look Behind the Plate
The Red Sox’s decision to move forward with Wong and Narváez represents a blend of offensive potential and defensive reliability. Wong, who has already demonstrated his ability to be a solid contributor at the plate, will be expected to carry a significant workload this season. Meanwhile, Narváez, though relatively unproven at the major league level, has drawn praise for his defensive skills and could be a steady presence behind the plate, especially when Wong needs rest.
Wong’s 2024 campaign showed glimpses of a player who can be an everyday catcher. He excelled in the first half of the season but struggled in the latter months. His ability to sustain offensive production across a full season will be crucial for the Red Sox, who are looking for consistency from their backstops.
His spring training struggles are slightly concerning, but given the small sample size, they may not be indicative of his regular-season performance. It’s common for veterans to take time to adjust before hitting their stride when the games begin to count.
On the other hand, Narváez’s role will likely be more focused on game management and defense. His ability to work with the pitching staff and control the running game will be valuable, especially considering Boston’s young rotation. While he may not provide the same offensive upside as Wong, his presence behind the plate should give pitchers confidence.
Guinn’s comments suggest that the Red Sox are betting on Narváez to provide the defensive stability that Wong lacked last season. If Narváez can maintain his reputation as a strong receiver and game-caller, he could play a crucial role in Boston’s pitching success.
Impact on the Pitching Staff
A catcher’s influence extends far beyond their offensive contributions. A reliable presence behind the plate can have a profound effect on a pitching staff, and the Red Sox are hoping their catching tandem can help guide their arms through a competitive AL East race.
Boston’s pitching staff features a mix of veterans and young arms who could benefit from a dependable backstop. Wong has experience working with the team’s starters, but Narváez’s fresh perspective could be useful. His defensive skills and framing ability could aid in getting favorable calls from umpires, potentially giving Sox pitchers an edge.
It remains to be seen how manager Alex Cora will split playing time between the two, but a traditional starter-backup dynamic could emerge. Wong, given his experience and offensive track record, is likely to see the majority of starts, while Narváez could be utilized strategically against certain matchups or to give Wong needed days off.
Additionally, with MLB’s emphasis on limiting stolen bases and controlling the running game, both catchers will need to be sharp. Wong and Narváez will have to improve in this area, especially against teams that aggressively test opposing catchers.
The Bigger Picture
While neither Wong nor Narváez are star-level catchers, they represent an intriguing combination of offense and defense that the Red Sox believe can be effective. This duo might not be the long-term answer, but they are the best immediate option given the team’s current roster construction.
The decision to trade away Kyle Teel, once considered the franchise’s top catching prospect, signals that the Red Sox are committed to Wong at least for the near future. If he continues to develop offensively, he could cement himself as a long-term fixture in Boston’s lineup. However, if his struggles continue, the Red Sox may need to explore other options, whether through midseason trades or looking ahead to the 2026 campaign.
Narváez, meanwhile, has an opportunity to carve out a role for himself. If he proves to be an elite defensive catcher in the majors, he could stick around as a backup for years to come. The Red Sox have historically valued defense at the catching position, and Narváez fits that mold.
Final Thoughts
With Opening Day right around the corner, the Red Sox’s catching picture is taking shape. Wong will have the chance to build on his breakout 2024 season, while Narváez will look to make a name for himself in his first extended big-league opportunity.
If Wong can rediscover his offensive rhythm and Narváez delivers on his defensive potential, the Red Sox could have a well-balanced catching duo capable of making an impact in 2025. However, if either struggles, Boston may be forced to reevaluate its strategy behind the plate.
For now, the Red Sox appear set on Wong and Narváez, and the success of their partnership will be one of many storylines to watch as the season unfolds.
