John Hester

John Hester

41-Year-Old CatcherC
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for John Hester in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Phillies in June 2014.
CPhiladelphia Phillies  
May 7, 2015
Hester (knee) went 0-for-3 for Double-A Reading on Wednesday in his return from the disabled list.
ANALYSIS
Hester underwent knee surgery in March to repair a complex tear of his medial meniscus. He is expected to be moved up to Triple-A by early next week.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
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Hester competed for the role of backup catcher for the Halos in the spring of 2013, but only saw one plate appearance in the big leagues after that role was assumed by Hank Conger. Hester struggled mightily in the minors last season, slashing .237/.307/.391 while hitting eight home runs in 74 games played with Triple-A Salt Lake. To his credit, Hester showcased an above average walk rate (9.5%) in 2013, but did not hit for enough power to compensate for his strikeout rate (26.4%). With the tandem of Conger and Chris Iannetta posting a combined 3.1 WAR last season, it seems unlikely that Hester will see any time with the Angels in 2014. Instead, he will probably spend the season at Triple-A Salt Lake once again.
Hester saw more playing time than expected last season after the Angels' top two backstops, Chris Iannetta and Bobby Wilson, both missed time with injuries. He wasn't able to take advantage of the situation and make a name for himself, however, slashing just .212/.287/.329 with three home runs in 95 plate apperances. Bobby Wilson is gone now, leaving the Angels' backup catcher job up for grabs, although Hank Conger is generally expected to get the nod over Hester for that opportunity.
When Miguel Montero was sidelined by knee surgery, Hester was called up from Triple-A Reno to work as the backup behind Chris Snyder. As the variance between his Triple-A and big league numbers suggest, we're probably looking at a catcher destined to be a career No. 2. Hester offers a little bit of pop, which is all most clubs will ask of their part-time backstops. If he can improve his contact rate, there's enough here for him to be a $1 option as a second catcher in NL-only leagues. Unfortunately, the signing of Henry Blanco hurts his chances of opening the season in Arizona.
Hester formed the other half of a formidable pair of catchers at Triple-A Reno last season, hitting .328/.375/.539 in 329 at-bats while sharing time with Luke Carlin. Neither backstop looks like a future big league starter, but they'll be competing to eventually back up Miguel Montero, depending on how Chris Snyder's future with the club unfolds. Hester received a late-season taste of Arizona when Snyder was shut down with a back injury, homering as a pinch-hitter in his first big league at-bat, but he ultimately did not get enough at-bats to reveal just how inflated his numbers were from playing in the Pacific Coast League.
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CPhiladelphia Phillies  
Knee
March 16, 2015
Hester (knee) was optioned to minor league camp Monday.
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CPhiladelphia Phillies  
Knee
March 11, 2015
Hester underwent knee surgery to repair a complex tear of his medial meniscus, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
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CPhiladelphia Phillies  
October 23, 2014
The Phillies have signed Hester to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training, Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish reports.
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CLos Angeles Angels  
Hand
March 8, 2014
Hester (hand) cleared waivers and has been outrighted off the 40-man roster to Triple-A Salt Lake.
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CLos Angeles Angels  
Hand
March 7, 2014
Hester (hand) did not require X-rays after being hit on the hand in a Cactus League game Thursday, MLB.com reports.
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