Do the Chicago Cubs really not want to sign a backup catcher?

Chicago Cubs: Taylor Davis

Did you expect to see Taylor Davis on this list? Probably not. But there’s no reason not to include him when you’re talking about a capable backup. Davis has made a name for himself on social media and through the Iowa Cubs. If you haven’t seen, watch this. Davis always knows where the camera is at. He’s 29 years old but still has his rookie status intact. So he’s essentially Crash Davis (See the correlation?) of Bull Durham. If somehow you don’t know the movie and are a baseball fan, please go watch. Moving on.

Davis has spent eight years in the minors and has been relatively successful at the plate. He’s carried a slash of .282/.349/.407 with an OPS of .755 in his eight years in the minors. In his four seasons at Iowa, the numbers are similar with a .285/.352/.396 and an OPS of.748.

His caught stealing rate is right about league average. And in his abbreviated stints in Chicago, his frame rate is 1.5 (No . 37). But in 2017 at Iowa, it was 10.5, and in 2018 it dropped a bit, but still sat at 6.5 (Major League frame rates are adjusted.) Davis has been a September call-up the last two years, so his opportunities have been few. Caratini has seen his chances increase but isn’t the defensive type backup many teams have. And his bat hasn’t translated to the majors.

Maybe it’s time to give Davis a fair shot? Let Caratini work on his defense in Iowa, give Davis a chance to open the season as the No. 2.