Pittsburgh Pirates: 2021 Infield & Catcher Player Grades

Sep 26, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Colin Moran (19) celebrates with catcher Jacob Stallings (58) and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (13) after hitting a three run home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2020; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Colin Moran (19) celebrates with catcher Jacob Stallings (58) and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (13) after hitting a three run home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 21: Michael Perez #5 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a RBI single in the 8th inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 21, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Image
CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 21: Michael Perez #5 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits a RBI single in the 8th inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 21, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Image /

Michael Perez

GRADE: F

2021 Stats: 70 games, .143/.221/.290, 7 home runs, 21 RBI, -0.8 WAR

I’ve really only got one word: yuck!

Michael Perez put together potentially the worst offensive season on the entire team this year. As the backup catcher, Perez didn’t see consistent playing time. However, his offensive production was beyond disgraceful.

Defensively, he isn’t the flashiest catcher in the league but he certainly can handle his own which is his main value on the roster.

I don’t know that the Pirates have any plans to look elsewhere for a new backup as in-house options like Christian Bethancourt and Taylor Davis won’t quite cut it either. The Pirates could, and likely will, give Perez another shot. They’ve got Endy Rodriguez elevating through the minor leagues and Henry Davis as well assuming he stays at catcher.

They have a great starting catcher so finding an adequate backup may not be very high on the list especially if they don’t plan to complete for a playoff spot in 2022.