Ryan Jeffers

After an injury-plagued 2022 season, Jeffers showed significant improvement by placing second among catchers in OPS and becoming the primary catcher for the Twins by season end. Jeffers had just a .648 OPS in 2022 and played just seven games after breaking his thumb in July 2022. He began the 2023 season as the backup catcher to Christian Vazquez, though the Twins split the workload behind the plate pretty evenly all year. However, Jeffers started behind the plate in every playoff game. Jeffers has good power with above-average exit velocity (5th among catchers) and Hard Hit % (11th among catchers). He draws walks at a good rate (9.9BB%) which helps somewhat offset a high strikeout rate (27.8% K%). He also improved dramatically against right-handed pitching (.828 OPS) after struggling against righties (career .695 OPS) while feasting on lefties (career .840 OPS). Jeffers was seen as a strong defender but declined in pitch framing last season and his other fielding metrics graded below average. That's a concern for increased playing time. The Twins like to utilize two catchers to reduce wear and tear, so Vazquez will likely split duties again, but Jeffers has more upside with the bat and his power.

After a slow start to the season (hitting .189 with a .601 OPS through his first two months), Jeffers started to get in a groove and was hitting .247 with a four home runs and a .769 OPS from June 1 to July 13. He then broke his right thumb July 14. Jeffers returned for seven games in September, but it was somewhat of a lost season. Jeffers reduced his strikeouts (26.3% K%) and made more contact (career-high 78.8%) but his power declined, which was a little odd since he was in the 91st percentile for Max Exit Velocity. He hit better against lefties (.909 OPS against LHP) continuing a sharp platoon split (career .794 OPS against LHP). The Twins brought in Christian Vazquez on a three-year deal, and they are paying Vazquez more than backup money, so Jeffers may be on the short side of a platoon. Jeffers is seen as a strong defender with grades slightly above average as a pitcher framer and below average as a thrower (45th percentile Pop Time 2B). Given his power and ability to draw walks (9.7% BB%), he could be a viable starting fantasy catcher in AL-only leagues, but the Vazquez addition dampens his mixed-league appeal.

Jeffers had a minor elbow surgery last offseason and dealt with knee and heel injuries in season, and it was largely a season to forget for the 24-year-old backstop. He still brought his trademark excellent defense, and his .202 ISO was in line with career norms. His 36.9 K% looks like a massive outlier, leading to his first pro stop as a below league-average hitter (82 wRC+). With the Twins trading Mitch Garver to Texas, the decks are clear for Jeffers to get as much playing time as he can handle. We shouldn't expect him to approach his career .286 batting average in the minors, but he isn't as bad as the .199 mark he posted last season. Jeffers is a fine C2 in 15-team two-catcher leagues, and he is young enough to take a big enough step forward to become relevant in shallower formats, assuming the Twins don't bring in anyone above him on the depth chart.

Jeffers had a strong rookie year and should be part of the mix at catcher for the Twins this season. Jeffers made the jump to the majors from playing Double-A in 2019, becoming the primary catcher after Mitch Garver was sidelined in August. He responded by hitting .273 with a .791 OPS. His average exit velocity of 91.5 mph was well above average, according to Baseball Savant. He also had a solid 41.7% hard-hit rate. He did strike out at an alarming 30.6% clip and had a high .364 BABIP. His defense was a question earlier in his career, but he was in the 90th percentile for pitch framing and a -2 DRS shows he may not be a liability. His outlook for playing time is uncertain since both he and Garver are right-handed. However, the Twins have made it a point to give catchers adequate rest, so the duo may split playing time evenly.

When the Twins selected Jeffers out of UNC Wilmington with the No. 59 overall pick in 2018, most evaluators believed in his bat but questioned whether his defense would be good enough for him to stick behind the plate. He has been as advertised at the plate and has improved enough as a receiver that his defense is no longer a concern. The pitcher-friendly Florida State League suppressed his numbers at High-A, where he was 20 percent better than league average. His numbers improved across the board after a promotion to Double-A, where he showed off his plus raw power (.195 ISO) and a patient, all-fields approach. Jeffers elevates with intent (45.6 FB%), and is similar in many ways to the player atop the organizational depth chart, Mitch Garver. This year should serve as Jeffers' final tour of the minor leagues before he forms a potent duo with Garver in 2021.