The Seattle Mariners have recently acquired a potential backup catcher from the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade. The Mariners sent minor league pitcher Luis Pardo to the Rays in exchange for catcher Kevon Smith.
Smith, 25, is a right-handed hitter who has spent the last two seasons in the Rays’ minor league system. He has a career batting average of .262 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs in 288 games. In 2019, Smith hit .239 with four home runs and 20 RBIs in 78 games split between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham.
The Mariners have been looking for a backup catcher for their starting catcher Omar Narvaez. Smith could provide some depth at the position and could be a valuable asset to the team. He has experience playing at both Double-A and Triple-A, so he should be able to adjust quickly to the major leagues if needed.
Smith is a solid defensive catcher and has a strong arm. He is also known for his ability to handle a pitching staff and call a good game. He is not known as a power hitter, but he does have some pop in his bat and could provide some offense off the bench.
The Mariners are hoping that Smith can be a valuable asset to the team and provide some much needed depth at the catcher position. He could be a great fit for the team and could be a key contributor if called upon. Time will tell if this trade was a good move for the Mariners, but it looks like they have acquired a potential backup catcher who could be an important part of their future success.
