The oddity that is Freddy Fermin

Freddy Fermin came up to little fanfare in 2023 and then proceeded to be an above-average hitter and post 1.9 fWAR in just 70 games. He was 28 years old. Catchers rarely come up that late in their career. Since 1930 only 42 catchers have gotten their first year over 200 plate appearances at that age or older. That means only once every couple of years does a team bring up this old of a catcher and play him a significant amount. When it does happen, it tends to not go very well. Only 16 of them were worth 1 win or more in that season. Only one of those 42 went on to have a reasonably accomplished career. And yet, Fermin has backed last year up by hitting about the same and continuing to play good defense, so maybe he is the second of the 42 who will become more than you would expect.

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