The New York Yankees’ catching situation remains uncertain, with former Rays backup Alex Jackson currently listed as the team’s backup catcher on FanGraphs’ Roster Resource page. Behind him, there aren’t many inspiring options. Enter Ronaldo Hernández, another former Rays player, who has now signed a minor league deal with the Yankees.
Hernández, once considered a promising bat-first catcher, was quickly moved by the Rays despite his potential. He struggled to break into the majors with the Red Sox and Diamondbacks, two teams that didn’t have a solidified catching duo at the time. Despite opportunities, Hernández remained in Triple-A with both organizations.
Now, he’s looking to compete for a backup spot behind 2024 AL Rookie of the Year candidate Austin Wells. The 27-year-old Colombian catcher is joining the Yankees on a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training, where he’ll battle Jackson and potentially others for the backup role.
Hernández has shown impressive power at the minor league level, including a .203 ISO in 99 games in Triple-A in 2023 with the Red Sox. However, his free-swinging approach, with a 39.1% chase rate and a 4.6% walk rate, has hindered his ability to make it to the majors. Still, he posted a 114 wRC+ in 2023, though it wasn’t enough to earn a call-up, and he ended up seeking a minor league contract.
The Yankees likely hope they can improve Hernández’s defense, which has always been a weak point. His scouting report indicates below-average defensive abilities, both currently and in the future. On the positive side, his right-handed bat could give him a chance to serve as a platoon option, spelling Wells when needed. However, the Yankees may prefer to keep a glove-first catcher like Jackson to maintain solid defense behind the plate, especially given Wells’ strong framing skills (+12 framing runs last season).
It’s worth noting that whether it’s Jackson or Hernández, one of these former Rays catchers could be backing up Wells for the 2025 season—an interesting development after the Rays traded for Ben Rortvedt late in the 2024 offseason.
