SF Giants rookie catcher can make a strong case for role on 2027 team

Ever since the SF Giants traded Patrick Bailey earlier this year, the catcher position has been pretty open for anyone to take it. Daniel Susac has probably impressed the most, but his season-ending knee injury has given another rookie catcher a chance to work his way into the 2027 picture.

Drew Cavanaugh should get the majority of starts at catcher for the rest of the season and he’s been a solid player so far. He’s hitting .250/.363/.265 with five runs batted in. He’s drawn 12 walks and struck out 19 times which is not a terrible ratio at all.

While he hasn’t really displayed any power at the big league level so far and only has one extra-base hit, he does have some pop. In the minors last year he had 14 home runs and this year he had nine homers before his promotion. If he can hit some home runs before the end of the year that would certainly help his chances of making the 2027 team as Susac’s backup.

His main competition for that role is Jesus Rodriguez and he is currently on the IL with an elbow issue. The only other catcher on the roster is the recently acquired Andrew Knizner and Cavanaugh should definitely get the bulk of starts over him.

The main question is how comfortable the Giants would be going into 2027 with Susac and Cavanaugh as the top two options at catcher? Both have shown promise but they lack experience and the front office may decide they want a more proven veteran backup in the mix.

The Giants haven’t exactly had the best luck with free-agent backup catchers in recent years, though. Tom Murphy was an absolute disaster so maybe if the Giants can claim someone off waivers that would be the way to go especially considering the options available in free agency.

Right now the catchers set to be free agents, not including the ones with mutual options, are players like Ryan Jeffers, Tyler Stephenson, Travis d’Arnaud, and Kyle Higashioka. Not exactly the cream of the crop.

Giants may be best served rolling with their young catchers in 2027

Plus, given the uncertainty surrounding the 2027 season and the potential for the looming lockout to shorten it, the Giants may be better served rolling with their young catchers next year and then waiting until after the 2027 season to reassess things at the position.

The opportunity is there for Cavanaugh though. If he can continue to get on base at a respectable rate and hit some home runs that will go a long way. Heck, if he finishes the year with better numbers than Susac he could have an argument to be the starter or at the very least to split time with Susac.

Arguably more important will be how he handles the pitching staff, though. His performance behind the plate will be watched very closely so if he does a good job in the eyes of Buster Posey then that will really help his chances going into next year. 

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