Let's dive into the Rays' catching situation as we gear up for the 2026 season. The front office made a strategic move last season by bringing in Nick Fortes and Hunter Feduccia, both expected to share the bulk of the catching duties. Dom Keegan is also in the wings, ready to contribute as the season progresses.
Defensively, Fortes shines across the board, while Feduccia is solid in blocking and throwing, excelling as a receiver. The real focus, however, is on their offensive potential, which is showing promising signs early in Spring Training. The Rays are hoping for a boost in offensive production from their catchers this year, thanks to better contact and enhanced power metrics.
Let's talk numbers. Fortes and Feduccia have combined for an impressive 11.9% whiff rate this spring, a significant drop from the 26.0% mark the Rays' catchers posted last year.
This shift aligns with the team's quiet transition towards a more contact-oriented offense. While maintaining a sub-15% whiff rate might be ambitious over the long haul due to the demanding nature of the position, aiming for around 20% seems both possible and beneficial.
Now, onto power. The duo's 90th percentile exit velocity (EV90) is clocking in at 104.0 mph, a noticeable improvement from last season's 102.8 mph. This uptick suggests there's more power potential in Fortes and Feduccia than what the Rays saw from their catchers in 2025.
However, there's a catch-literally. Their average hard-hit launch angle needs a boost.
Last year's group, despite not hitting the ball as hard, managed a decent average hard-hit launch angle of 12°. Fortes and Feduccia might be focusing on contact, which has flattened their contact profiles.
A touch more aggression in their swings could unlock further power, even if it introduces a bit more swing-and-miss.
Finally, their zone-minus-out-of-zone swing rate stands at 40.7% this spring, slightly trailing last year's 43.6%. Maintaining disciplined swing decisions will be crucial for maximizing their power. If these trends continue, the Rays could see a significant offensive upgrade from the catching position, a welcome change from the 70 wRC+ they endured in 2025.
In essence, Fortes and Feduccia are poised to make a real impact, both defensively and offensively, and could be key players in driving the Rays' success this season.