Fansided · Mar 1, 2021
Phillies: Jeff Mathis should back up catcher J.T. Realmuto
Philadelphia Phillies catcher Jeff Mathis (Jonathan Dyer/USA TODAY Sports)
Although Andrew Knapp showed great signs of improvement this past season, another catcher in Philadelphia Phillies spring training camp should come away with the nod as the backup catcher to J.T. Realmuto for the 2021 season — non-roster invitee Jeff Mathis.
Mathis is a well-traveled 37-year-old veteran with eye-popping offensive numbers. No, not eye-popping in a good way, but rather numbers so abysmal at the plate. It may be confusing why he’s rostered each year, but when you look at his defensive numbers, it’s easy to understand.