Rafael Flores Jr. rounded the bases at Comerica Park on September 25 after a three-run homer that shook up the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2026 season. His power surge late in the year offered a stark contrast to the struggles and strengths seen across the Pirates’ catching corps, which played a significant part in the team’s 82-80 finish, their best since 2018.
The Pirates’ catchers produced a mixed bag of results, with Henry Davis excelling defensively while continuing to battle offensively, and Flores Jr. emerging as a power threat despite defensive shortcomings. Endy Rodriguez’s season was cut short by injury, complicating Pittsburgh’s plans behind the plate.
Henry Davis, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, remains a defensive standout but has yet to deliver on his offensive promise. His 2026 slash line was .172/.272/.313 with a .585 OPS across 256 at-bats, setting career highs in home runs (10) and RBIs (38). However, his batting average would have ranked worst in baseball among qualified hitters. Davis’s defensive work painted a different picture. He caught a career-high 744.2 innings with a .995 fielding percentage and threw out 17 of 37 attempted base stealers, the best caught stealing rate in all of baseball at 45.9 percent. He saved eight defensive runs but allowed six passed balls in 95 games. Davis earned the trust of multiple Pirates pitchers and served as Paul Skenes’ primary catcher, appearing behind the plate for all but one of the pitcher’s starts. The combination of his defense and work ethic has kept him in the lineup, but the offense remains a concern. A higher batting average and more consistent contact would likely increase his playing time and value to the team.
Rafael Flores Jr. stood out as the biggest surprise among Pittsburgh’s catchers. Acquired in the trade that sent David Bednar away, Flores Jr. brought a power game the Pirates had lacked behind the plate. In 47 games and 148 at-bats, he slashed .264/.331/.527 with an .858 OPS, including six doubles and 11 home runs. Seven of those homers came in his last 30 games, highlighting a strong finish to the season. Flores Jr. walked 15 times and struck out 45, showing a patient approach at the plate. He drove in 25 runs during his first extended major league season.
Defensively, Flores Jr. still has work to do. He ranked in the 19th percentile in blocks above average, 35th in caught stealing, and 53rd in both framing and pop time, with a pop time of 1.94 seconds. However, his defense improved during the final weeks of the season. After a disappointing August, when he hit just .212, Flores Jr. rebounded in September with a .313 average and .361 on-base percentage over 67 at-bats. He recorded eight RBIs during that stretch and even moved up in the lineup, especially against left-handed pitchers. The Pirates appear likely to start Flores Jr. as their primary catcher in 2027, with David serving as a situational option.
Endy Rodriguez’s season was hampered by injuries, limiting him to just 45 games. He debuted on May 14 after starting the year in Triple-A Indianapolis but suffered a left glute strain and later a significant left hip injury that required surgery and ended his season early. Rodriguez is expected to resume baseball activities in seven to nine months. When healthy, he showed promise, slashing .267/.373/.467 with six doubles, seven home runs, and 20 RBIs in 135 at-bats. Rodriguez also stole six bases and displayed athletic versatility, having played multiple positions in the minors. Defensively, he ranked in the 29th percentile in blocks above average and 24th in caught stealing but posted a strong pop time of 1.89 seconds, placing him in the 80th percentile. The severity of his injury raises questions about whether he will continue as a catcher or transition to other positions.
Other catchers appeared briefly for the Pirates in 2026. Joey Bart, who began the season on the Opening Day roster, was traded to the Atlanta Braves on June 18 after hitting two home runs and driving in six over 21 games. Shawn Ross saw limited action but made an impact with a two-run homer in a July 26 win against the Cubs.
The Pirates’ catching situation remains fluid, with Flores Jr.’s late-season power surge likely influencing the club’s plans for 2027. Meanwhile, Davis’s defense keeps him in the conversation despite offensive struggles, and Rodriguez’s future depends heavily on his recovery from hip surgery.
According to Yahoo Sports.
