Padres Have Multiple Options For 2024 At Catcher

The biggest priority for the San Diego Padres as they head into their offseason is fielding a team that can get them back to the playoffs. The team missed the postseason this season in disappointing fashion after a strong offseason filled with plenty of hype.

It was a frustrating year all around for the team and one that they would love to forget about. But, the team feels good about where they are right now and they believe that a few tweaks can get them back into championship contention.

One of the biggest questions for this team heading into the winter is what they will do at the catcher spot. They have a few options to work from, but nothing is set in stone for right now.

All indications seem to be pointing to young catcher Luis Campusano being the main catching option for this team, but he is very inexperienced. In just 49 games with the Padres this past season, he hit .319 with seven home runs and 30 runs batted in. Campusano was very productive for the Friars down the stretch of the year, and he may be given a chance to show what he can do over a full year.

The Padres would then look to a veteran for a backup to Campusano to help him throughout the year, and to get someone with more experience in. Some options could be either Gary Sanchez, who saw a resurgence with the team last season, or Austin Nola, but he had an eye procedure that could keep him out for a while.

Sanchez remains the most likely to return between the two, and both sides seemed to enjoy the pairing. The veteran hit .217 with 19 home runs and 47 runs batted in 72 games with the Padres.

San Diego gave him a chance to revive his career, and he did just that. There was a time last season when Sanchez likely wondered if he would play in the big leagues again, but he seemed to thrive during his time with the Friars.

Prospect Ethan Salas could make a case for the spot as well, but he seems like more of a long-term piece for this team. The Padres number one number-one-ranked prospect in their system may need a little more time in the minors before he is fully ready to help this team compete for a title.

No matter what the Padres decide to do for next year, they will need to make sure that they get the decision right. They want to get back to the postseason, and having a viable option behind the plate is one way to do just that.