Braves Open Spring Training With Catching Curveball: Nacho Alvarez Jr. Joins the Mix
Spring has officially sprung in North Port, and with it, the Atlanta Braves are back on the diamond. Pitchers and catchers have reported, signaling the unofficial start of another season full of expectations-and, apparently, surprises.
The Braves quietly made a move to bolster their depth behind the plate, signing Jonah Heim to an MLB deal. With Sean Murphy still working his way back, Heim figures to provide a steady veteran presence and could serve as a backup to Drake Baldwin in the interim. But that wasn’t the only catching development to come out of camp on Tuesday-and the second one turned more than a few heads.
Nacho Alvarez Jr. Is Working Out With the Catchers
Yes, you read that right. Nacho Alvarez Jr., one of the Braves' top prospects and a natural infielder, is getting reps behind the plate. It’s a move that came out of nowhere and immediately raised eyebrows around the complex.
To be clear, Alvarez has never caught a professional game. Not in the minors, not in spring training-nowhere.
But the Braves are known for getting creative with roster flexibility, and this could be another example of that philosophy in action. Think back to Charlie Culberson, who was once considered an emergency catching option despite never playing the position regularly.
This could be a similar situation-just in case the club finds itself in a bind.
A Glimpse Into the Braves’ Thinking
On the surface, the move seems like a long shot. Alvarez’s bat hasn’t exactly forced the issue at the big league level-he hit just .216 across 66 games.
But his glove? That’s a different story.
He filled in admirably at third base when Austin Riley was sidelined, showing instincts, quick hands, and the kind of defensive versatility that teams covet.
That might be the key here. The Braves could be betting that Alvarez’s defensive instincts will translate behind the plate, at least well enough to serve as an emergency option.
And for Alvarez, it’s a smart play. He doesn’t have a clear path to regular playing time right now, so adding another tool to his belt could be the difference between riding the shuttle to Triple-A and sticking on the 26-man roster.
Why the Sudden Focus on Catching Depth?
It’s fair to wonder what this says about the Braves’ catching situation overall. Murphy is still recovering, and while Baldwin is a promising young backstop, the team might be looking to use his bat more frequently in the DH spot-especially with Marcell Ozuna now in Pittsburgh and no clear replacement signed.
That could explain why the Braves are being proactive in exploring every possible catching option, even if it means thinking outside the box. Having someone like Alvarez as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option isn’t ideal, but it’s better than being caught unprepared.
Big Picture: A Roster in Better Shape Than Last Year
Despite the catching shuffle, the Braves are in a much more stable position than they were at this point last year. Most of the core is intact, the rotation has depth, and the lineup still packs plenty of punch. The key now is staying healthy and ironing out the few remaining wrinkles-like who fills the DH role and how the catching depth shakes out over the next few weeks.
As for Alvarez, his spring just got a whole lot more interesting. Catching might not be his future, but in a game where versatility is currency, every new skill adds value. And the Braves, as always, are looking for every edge they can find.