Chris Herrmann

Chris Herrmann

36-Year-Old CatcherC
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Chris Herrmann in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the Nationals in March of 2022. Released by the Nationals in August of 2022.
Cut by Washington
CFree Agent  
August 10, 2022
The Nationals released Herrmann on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Herrmann had spent the entire 2022 season with the Nationals' Triple-A affiliate at Rochester, hitting .160 in 86 plate appearances. The 34-year-old catcher last appeared in the majors in 2019 with the Athletics and appears unlikely to get another look at the big-league level, given his current career trajectory.
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Chris Herrmann See More
The Z Files: My Top 350 Rest-of-Season Hitters
August 11, 2021
Todd Zola offers up his hitter rankings for the rest of the season, as scheduling and a stacked lineup makes Bo Bichette one of a trio of Blue Jays in the top 10.
Games Played By Position: 2020 Eligibility Notes
October 16, 2019
Clay Link looks at appearances by position and makes note of multi-position eligibility and lost eligibility for 2020.
AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week
August 18, 2019
Erik Siegrist looks over the free-agent pool in the Junior Circuit as Sean Manaea inches closer to making his 2019 debut for Oakland.
FanDuel MLB: Friday Breakdown
July 26, 2019
Adam Zdroik expects results from Matt Olson and the A’s against Lance Lynn and the Rangers on Friday.
FanDuel MLB: Friday Breakdown
July 19, 2019
Adam Zdroik recommends an A’s stack against Jake Odorizzi and the Twins on Friday.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Herrmann's .237/.322/.421 line last season was good for a 107 wRC+, the second-best mark of his seven-year career, though it's hard to get too excited about a performance that took place over just 87 plate appearances. He did increase his walk rate for the fourth straight season to a career-high 11.5%, but he also relied on a .314 BABIP that sat well above his .262 career mark. There isn't a whole lot of reason to believe the 31-year-old is anything significantly different from the career backup who's never received more than 256 plate appearances in a season and who owns a career wRC+ of 68. The Athletics seem to believe in him to a greater degree, as he appears to have a good shot at the team's starting catcher job. With increased playing time and a decent batting line in two of the last three years, there's at least a chance that Herrmann provides value outside of very deep leagues, though it would take a career year to get him there.
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.
More Fantasy News
Gets MiLB deal from Nats
CWashington Nationals  
March 16, 2022
Herrmann signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Monday, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.
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Activated from IL
CBoston Red Sox  
September 29, 2021
Triple-A Worcester reinstated Herrmann from its 7-day injured list Wednesday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.
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Lands on injured list
CBoston Red Sox  
Undisclosed
September 20, 2021
Herrman (undisclosed) was placed on the injured list at Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Bill Koch of The Providence Journal reports.
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Sent to minor-league camp
CBoston Red Sox  
March 26, 2021
Herrmann was sent to minor-league camp Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
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Signs minor-league deal
CBoston Red Sox  
February 11, 2021
The Red Sox signed Herrmann to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
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