The Boston Red Sox enter the 2025 MLB season with higher expectations than in previous years.
To bolster their roster, the AL East side brought in big names through trades and free agency, including third baseman Alex Bregman and starting pitchers Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler.
In the deal to acquire Crochet, catching prospect Kyle Teel was sent to the Chicago White Sox. Additionally, the Red Sox secured Carlos Narvaez from the New York Yankees in December and Blake Sabol from the San Francisco Giants in January.
Projected as the Red Sox' Opening Day starting catcher, Connor Wong could remain in that role throughout the regular season.
The 28-year-old enjoyed a career year in 2024, hitting .280 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs. Defensively, he ranked in the ninth percentile for pitch framing and the 63rd percentile in pop time on Baseball Savant.
With Wong likely to be the starting catcher, the backup job is up for grabs.
Narvaez appeared in only six MLB games in 2024, registering three hits in 15 plate appearances. His limited experience at the MLB level could prompt manager Alex Cora to favor Blake Sabol, who is capable of batting against righties on Wong's day off.
Sabol played 110 games for the Giants in 2023 and 11 in 2024. In 2023, he posted a 92 OPS+ at the plate—slightly below league average but still solid offensive production for a catcher.
His 13 home runs in 2023 suggest there may be more power in the tank, especially if he can pull the ball toward right field's Pesky Pole at Fenway Park.
Though the Red Sox backup catcher battle could extend until the final day of Spring Training, Sabol appears to have the edge at this stage.
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