Shea Langeliers

Langeliers opened the season as the Athletics primary catcher. He gathered a taste of the majors down the stretch in 2022 but struggled making contact. In his first full season, Langeliers lowered his strikeout rate to a still elevated 29.2 percent while hitting the ball with more authority. However, as a fly ball hitter in the cavernous Coliseum, Langeliers' BABIP was well below average, but his 22 homers was fifth most among catcher-eligible hitters and his 63 RBI tied for 12th highest. Langeliers is still a work in progress behind the plate as his -13 defensive runs saved was the third worst in the league and he graded as one of the poorest pitch framers. Langeliers' 31 percent success rate catching base stealers was one of the best marks in the league. Langeliers will share catching duties with Tyler Soderstrom, with Langeliers likely to get the heavier workload. The volume will generate mixed league worthy counting stats, but Langeliers is a batting average liability. Read Past Outlooks