The Atlanta Braves have been busy making adjustments to their catching corps during Spring Training this week. They released Curt Casali from his minor league deal and reassigned veteran catcher Sandy Leon to minor league camp.
Now, the Braves have added another name to their catching depth chart, signing former All-Star catcher James McCann to a minor league contract. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, McCann would earn $1 million if he reaches the majors with the NL East team. At 34 years old, McCann brings over a decade of MLB experience, having played in the big leagues for 11 consecutive seasons.
Last season with the Baltimore Orioles, McCann appeared in 65 games, hitting eight home runs, driving in 31 RBIs, and posting a .234 batting average. This followed a 2023 campaign with Baltimore where he played in 69 games, recording six home runs, 24 RBIs, and a .222 average. McCann’s standout season came in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox, when he earned an All-Star nod. That year, he played 118 games, setting career highs with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs while batting .273, the second-best average of his career.
For the Braves, this is a low-risk move to bolster their catching depth as they prepare for the regular season. It remains to be seen whether McCann can earn a spot on Atlanta’s major league roster, but his experience and past success make him an intriguing option. This signing adds another layer of competition and insurance behind the plate for the Braves as they gear up for the 2024 campaign.
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