Chris Herrmann

Herrmann spent the 2017 season in a sort of three-headed catching platoon with Chris Iannetta and Jeff Mathis while also serving as a reserve outfielder (24 games). He had a woeful year at the plate, slashing .181/.273/.345 with a brutal .207 BABIP. The 30-year-old did smack the most home runs of his six-year major-league career with 10, though that number is wholly uninspiring given the league-wide power surge. He walked at a good clip (11.9 percent), but also struck out in 26.2 percent of his plate appearances and actually wound up with fewer hits this past year than he did in 2016 despite logging 90 additional plate appearances. The Diamondbacks tendered Herrmann a contract for 2018, so he will be back to fill a similar role, but it's a stretch to think he'll return positive value in mixed leagues. Those scouring for a second catcher in 15-teamers should be able to do better than Herrmann.

Before 2016, Herrmann never posted an OPS above .611 in any of his four MLB seasons as a reserve in Minnesota. He shattered that mark last season, posting a career-best .845 OPS to go along with a career-best .284 average. Herrmann also posted career highs with six home runs, 21 runs and 28 RBI as the primary backup to Welington Castillo behind the plate. Now that Castillo has moved on to Baltimore, Herrmann will enter camp as the favorite to be Arizona's catcher on Opening Day. While his value is trending up due to an anticipated increase in playing time, his .364 BABIP and 15 percent HR/FB scream regression. He should operate the strong side of a pretty strict platoon, with Jeff Mathis or Chris Iannetta starting against lefties, so 100-plus games is a possibility. His role means he should be drafted in most two-catcher formats, but do not expect him to pick up where he left off last year from a per plate appearance production standpoint.

Despite some decent seasons with the bat in the minors (.727 career OPS at Triple-A), Herrmann was awful in the majors again with a .486 OPS in 45 games. After spending most of his time in the big leagues working as a reserve outfielder with the Twins prior to last season, Herrmann was used mostly as a catcher in 2015 and he had a decent season with the glove. Sporadic playing time likely contributed to his increased strikeout rate (32.7-percent), but his lack of power and low contact rate would appear to limit his upside if he carves out any kind of regular role. Herrmann will compete for the backup catcher role after being traded to Arizona in November.

Herrmann had a bounceback season at Triple-A by hitting .304 with a .878 OPS, but struggled again to hit in the majors (.520 career OPS). He draws walks at a decent rate and makes good contact. His defense is seen as adequate at catcher and he has enough versatility to be an option in the outfield. However, neither his bat nor his glove are strong enough to consider him a future starting catcher, and he'll likely add depth at Triple-A.

Despite hitting just .227/.297/.312 at Triple-A, Herrmann got extensive playing time the final two months of last season with the Twins after Joe Mauer was lost due to a concussion, but failed to make a strong impression by hitting .204/.286/.325. Herrmann draws walks at an outstanding rate and makes good contact. His defense is seen as adequate at catcher and he has enough versatility to be an option in the outfield. He could make Minnesota's roster as the third catcher or move into a backup role if injuries strike, but neither his bat nor his glove are strong enough to consider him a future starting catcher.

Herrmann got a cup of coffee with the Twins in September after a productive season at Double-A where he displayed some power and strong plate discipline. Herrmann draws walks at an outstanding rate and makes good contact. His defense is seen as adequate at catcher and he has enough versatility to be fungible in the outfield. He could make Minnesota's roster as third catcher or move into a backup role if injuries strike, but neither his bat nor his glove are strong enough to consider him a future starting catcher.