Phillies re-sign backup catcher for battery depth

The Philadelphia Phillies want to see more from backup catcher Garrett Stubbs in 2025.

Phillies sign C Garrett Stubbs to one year

According to Bailey Digh of Phillies Nation, Philadelphia has signed Stubbs to a one-year deal next season:

“Some clarity regarding the position was provided on Friday when the Phillies announced they had agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Garrett Stubbs. “He has been the team’s backup catcher for the past three seasons and was considered a potential non-tender candidate,” Digh wrote.

“Stubbs has no guarantee that he will play in the big leagues next year. Signing him means the Phillies want to keep him. He will likely compete in spring training to serve as the team’s secondary backup.”

Stubbs showed potential scoring runs and responded to base stealers in 2024

Maintaining his performance in 2022, the 31-year-old has been an inefficient hitter in the field. That wasn’t much different in 2024, when he slashed .207/.296/.262 with 18 runs and 11 RBIs in 54 games played.

Stubbs managed to steal five bases and posted a strong launch angle sweet spot percentage of 40.9 percent on the campaign. Behind the plate, the California native also excelled with an elite pop time of 1.88 seconds, proving he can catch base stealers with momentum at second.

The six-year veteran will return to the Phillies for his seventh MLB season and fourth with the team in 2025. He will try to help Philadelphia get over the hump in the National League and go for its first World Series crown since 2008.