After playing with minor league affiliates of the Blue Jays for seven years,from 2002 through 2008,Kratz signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009. He made his big league debut for the Pirates on July 17,2010,starting as catcher and going 2-5 with 1 RBI.[2][1] Before the 2011 season,Kratz signed a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. He played with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs,appearing several times in 2011 and 2012 at the Major-League level and ultimately winning the backup catcher job on the Phillies' 2013 roster.
Kratz was dealt back to the Toronto organization prior to the 2014 season,and divided his playing time between MLB and the Blue Jays’Triple-A Buffalo Bisonsfarm team before being traded to the Kansas City Royals in July. He returned to the Phillies in 2015,and played for the Houston Astros and Pirates in 2016. Kratz played for the New York Yankees in 2017. He was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018,and played for the San Francisco Giants and Tampa Bay Rays in 2019. He finished his career with the Yankees in 2020.[1]
Kratz was selected by the Blue Jays in the 29th round,the 866th overall pick,of the 2002 MLB draft.[8][4] He was the first player to be drafted out of Division III Eastern Mennonite University.[8]
After the draft,Kratz worked his way up through the minor leagues over the course of three years with the Medicine Hat Blue Jays,Auburn Doubledays,Charleston AlleyCats,New Haven Ravens,and Dunedin Blue Jays. He then played the 2005 season with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats,the Blue Jays’Double-A affiliate.[9] There,Kratz batted .205/.283/.353,with 11 home runs,and 34 RBI.[9] From 2006 to 2008,Kratz alternated between the Fisher Cats and the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.[9] In 2006,he batted a combined .228/.294/.339,with 7 home runs,and 34 RBI;in 2007,he batted a combined .235/.299/.449,with 13 home runs,and 49 RBI;in 2008,he batted a combined .239/.313/.506 with 16 home runs,and 43 RBIs.[9] On June 9,2008,he was named the International League (IL) Player of the Week.[9]
In 2009,Kratz signed with the Pirates,who were in need of a primary Triple-A catcher after the call-up of Robinzon Diaz to replace the injured Ryan Doumit.[10] Kratz played the 2009 season with the Indianapolis Indians and finished batting .273/.337/.470,with 11 home runs,and 43 RBI.[9] He was named an IL Mid-Season All-Star,the IL Triple-A All-Star Game Top Star (on July 15),and an IL Post-Season All-Star (on September 1).[9]
Kratz began the 2010 season with Indianapolis and finished his minor league season batting .274/.380/.496,with 9 home runs,and 41 RBI.[9] On July 14,he was named an IL Mid-Season All-Star for the second time.[9] On July 12,the Pirates optioned catcher Jason Jaramillo to Triple-A Indianapolis and the team announced Kratz would be called up to replace him.[11]
Kratz made his MLB debut on July 17,2010,against the Houston Astros.[1] He recorded his first MLB hit against Astros starter Bud Norris,and drove in his first MLB run later in the game.
Philadelphia Phillies
Kratz signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 2011 season. He spent the season with their Triple-A affiliate Lehigh Valley IronPigs,in Allentown. Kratz did well there,batting .288/.372/.466,with 15 home runs,and 53 RBI.[9] On July 13,he won his third International League Mid-Season All-Star award.[9] Kratz was called up to MLB on September 16,[12] and went on to play two games with the Phillies,recording two hits in six at bats.[1]
Kratz opened the 2012 season with Lehigh Valley,but had several stints on the Phillies' active roster. He hit his first MLB career home run on May 22,a solo shot against Washington Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny that landed in the center field bushes at Citizens Bank Park. Playing initially as a pinch hitter to replace the injured Jim Thome,Kratz later assumed a catching job following injuries to backup catcher Brian Schneider and All-Star starter Carlos Ruiz. Kratz quickly began producing offensively,registering a 1.395 OPS in his first 16 games. Ultimately,he hit .248/.306/.504,with 9 home runs,in 50 games,and 141 at bats.[1]
Kratz made his first MLB Opening Day roster with the Phillies in 2013. He served as the team's primary catcher while Ruiz served a 25-day drug suspension,[13] but was placed on the disabled list on June 9 with a torn medial meniscus and underwent surgery.[14] Kratz returned to the club on July 21,and continued as backup catcher thereafter. He finished the season batting .213/.280/.386,with 42 hits,9 home runs,and 26 RBI.
On March 30,Kratz was recalled from Triple-A after Casey Janssen was placed on the disabled list.[17] Kratz appeared in six games for the Blue Jays before being optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to make room for J. A. Happ.[18] Kratz was later recalled and played in 34 games with the Blue Jays,batting .198,with 3 home runs,and 10 RBI before being traded.[1] With Buffalo,he batted .299/.354/.517.[19]
On July 28,2014,Kratz was traded with Liam Hendriks to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Danny Valencia.[20] He had his first career multi-homer game on August 18 in a 6-4 win over the Minnesota Twins. Kratz batted .276/.290/.517 in 29 at bats for KC.[19]
On June 21,2015,Kratz was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox.[22] He was designated for assignment on June 25,[23] and elected free agency on June 29.[24]
Seattle Mariners
Kratz signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners on July 2,2015. He was released on July 15.[25]
Second Phillies stint
On July 17,2015,Kratz signed a minor league deal with the Phillies.[26] He batted .312/.433/.558 for Lehigh Valley in 77 at bats.[19] Kratz was added to the Phillies active roster on September 1 and made his first appearance the following day,hitting a pinch-hit,two-run double against Matt Harvey of the New York Mets. He had 22 at bats for the Phillies.[19]
San Diego Padres
On December 11,2015,Kratz signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.[27]
Houston Astros
On March 28,2016,Kratz was traded to the Houston Astros for pitcher Dan Straily.[28] On April 26,he was pressed into service as a pitcher during a blowout with the Astros. After 29 at bats,Kratz was designated for assignment on May 16 and released on May 22.[29]
On June 11,2016,Kratz was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates,who added him to their 40-man roster.[31] On June 21,he became the first player since 1879 to pitch and catch for two different major league teams in a single year. He tossed a scoreless inning while forced into relief for the Pirates in a 15-4 loss to the Giants. Kratz allowed two hits and struck out Brandon Belt for his first out of the inning.[32] After 56 at bats,Kratz was designated for assignment on July 19,[33] and elected free agency on July 22.[34]
Third Blue Jays stint
On July 28,2016,Kratz signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[35] In 19 games with the Buffalo Bisons,Kratz hit .155 with one RBI.[19] On November 7,he elected free agency.[36]
Cleveland Indians
On December 1,2016,Kratz signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians.[37] With their AAA team,the Columbus Clippers,he batted .270/.359/.472,with 13 home runs and 37 RBI,in 282 at bats.[19]
New York Yankees
The Indians sold Kratz to the New York Yankees on August 31,2017.[38] The Yankees promoted him to the major leagues the next day.[39] Kratz appeared in his first game for the Yankees as a pinch hitter,on September 10,hitting a two-RBI double.[40] For the 2017 Yankees regular season,he had two hits in two at bats.[1] Kratz declined an outright assignment to Triple-A at the start of November 2017,and became a free agent. On December 13,he signed a minor league contract with the Yankees.[41] In 2018,playing for the team's AAA affiliate in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre,Kratz batted .269/.356/.538 in 52 at bats.[19]
The Yankees traded Kratz to the Milwaukee Brewers on May 25,2018,in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He hit his first home run of the season the next day in his Brewers debut,off of AJ Ramos of the Mets.[42][43] On June 16,the Yankees received Wendell Rijo to complete the trade.[44] During the regular season,Kratz hit .236/.280/.355,with 6 homers,and 23 RBI,in a career-high 219 plate appearances. In the NLDS against the Rockies,he went 5-for-7 with 2 RBI,including a 3-hit game in the series-clinching Game 3,and was the oldest player to make his postseason debut since Lave Cross of the 1905 Philadelphia Athletics.[45] As of September 2018,Kratz had played for 30 minor league teams,and 11 major league franchises,in 17 seasons.[46]
San Francisco Giants
On March 24,2019,Kratz was traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for C.J. Hinojosa.[47] He was the 3rd-oldest player in the NL.[48] Kratz batted .222 in 32 at bats,and was designated for assignment on May 13.[49]
Tampa Bay Rays
On May 16,2019,Kratz was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league pitcher Matt Seelinger.[50] Kratz had one hit for the Rays in 17 at bats over six games. He was the 4th-oldest player in the AL.[51] On May 31,Kratz was designated for assignment and received his release shortly afterward.[52]
Second Yankees stint
On June 8,2019,Kratz signed a minor league deal with the Yankees.[53] He batted .299/.375/.500,with 7 home runs,and 31 RBI,in 154 at bats for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.[19] Kratz became a free agent following the 2019 season.[54] He re-signed on a minor league deal for the 2020 season.[55] He was called up to the Yankees on August 8 after an injury to Kyle Higashioka.[56] During a pre-game interview in early September,Kratz became emotional when asked about his influence and role in helping young pitchers,particularly Latin pitchers develop their game and succeed at the major league level. Kratz said "I love seeing what they can do... I think sometimes some people forget where they come from,some people forget that they want (to succeed) just as badly,and there's people back home who want it just as badly for them."[57]
In 2020,Kratz was the third-oldest player in MLB at age 39.[58]
On November 6,2020,Kratz announced his retirement in a video posted to Google and his Twitter account.[59]
In March 2021,Kratz was teaching baseball at a middle school near his hometown.[63] In 2021 he said the Colorado Rockies team in the 2018 playoffs had been cheating using a "sign stealing" method.[64] He made the allegation on YES Network[65] that the system involved banging a Theragun on a metal bench.[66] In March 2022,Kratz joined the Phillies radio broadcast team as a part-time color analyst.[67] In July 2023,Kratz's experiences as a catcher (as well as other MLB backup catchers) was chronicled in The Tao of the Backup Catcher:Playing Baseball for the Love of the Game,co-written with bestselling author and sportswriter Tim Brown.[68] Kratz now is a co-host on the YouTube Podcast "Foul Territory" with ex-MLB Network on air talent Scott Braun,and other MLB players such as Jason Kipnis and A.J. Pierzynski.
Personal life
Kratz is a member of the Souderton,PennsylvaniaMennonite Church. Up until 2009,he worked a construction job in the winter to support his family. Kratz and wife Sarah have two sons,Brayden and Ethan,[3] and a daughter,Avery.[69]
Related Research Articles
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees,Los Angeles Dodgers,Tampa Bay Rays,Cincinnati Reds,Chicago Cubs,Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. With the Rays,Navarro was an All-Star in 2008.
Salvatore Frank Fasano is an American former professional baseball catcher,who played for nine different Major League Baseball (MLB) teams over his 11-year big league career. Upon retiring as a player,he became a coach within the Toronto Blue Jays organization between 2010 and 2016. After coaching for a single season within the Los Angeles Angels minor league system,Fasano joined the major league coaching staff of the Atlanta Braves.
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is an American former professional baseball catcher and is currently serving as the Field Coordinator for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). Barajas served as the interim manager for the San Diego Padres after Andy Green's firing on September 21,2019. As a player in Major League Baseball (MLB),he played for the Arizona Diamondbacks,Texas Rangers,Philadelphia Phillies,Toronto Blue Jays,New York Mets,Los Angeles Dodgers,and Pittsburgh Pirates. With the Diamondbacks,he won the 2001 World Series over the then reigning,three-time world champion New York Yankees. Barajas also played for the Mexico national baseball team.
Jeffrey Stephen Mathis is an American former professional baseball catcher. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim,Toronto Blue Jays,Miami Marlins,Arizona Diamondbacks,Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves.
Russell Nathan Coltrane Jeanson Martin Jr. is a Canadian former professional baseball catcher. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers,New York Yankees,Pittsburgh Pirates,and Toronto Blue Jays,and is a four-time MLB All-Star. In 2007,Martin won the Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger Award.
Jay Allen Bruce is an American former professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds,New York Mets,Cleveland Indians,Seattle Mariners,Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees. The Reds drafted Bruce in the first round,12th overall pick,of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft;he made his MLB debut in 2008. Bruce was named an All-Star three times during his career,and won the Silver Slugger Award twice.
Wilkin Alexis Castillo is a Dominican former professional baseball catcher and current bullpen catcher for the Oakland Athletics. He made his major league debut in 2008 for the Cincinnati Reds. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Reds and Miami Marlins. Listed at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) and 215 pounds (98 kg),Castillo throws right-handed and is a switch hitter.
Jason Cory Jaramillo is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2009 to 2011.
Gregorio Jesus Petit is a Venezuelan professional baseball former infielder and current manager for the Stockton Ports of the California League. Petit made his major league debut in 2008 with the Oakland Athletics. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Athletics,Houston Astros,New York Yankees,Los Angeles Angels,and Minnesota Twins.
Brad Eric Lincoln is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates,Toronto Blue Jays,and Philadelphia Phillies. Prior to playing professionally,he attended the University of Houston,where he played college baseball for the Houston Cougars.
Mpho' Gift Ngoepe is a South African former professional baseball shortstop and second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. In 2017,he became the first native of continental Africa to reach the Major Leagues.
Joshua Michael Thole is an American former professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays.
Andrew Edward Butera is an American former professional baseball catcher who is currently on the coaching staff of the Chicago White Sox. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins,Los Angeles Dodgers,Los Angeles Angels,Kansas City Royals,and Colorado Rockies.
Adeiny Hechavarría Barrera is a Cuban professional baseball shortstop for the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays,Miami Marlins,Tampa Bay Rays,Pittsburgh Pirates,New York Yankees,New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. He has also played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chiba Lotte Marines.
Robinson David Chirinos González is a Venezuelan former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Tampa Bay Rays,Texas Rangers,Houston Astros,New York Mets,Chicago Cubs,and Baltimore Orioles. He signed with the Cubs as an undrafted free agent out of Venezuela in 2000.
Eric Joseph Fryer is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates,Minnesota Twins,and St. Louis Cardinals. A product of Ohio State University,the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the ninth round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft.
Ryan Cole Lavarnway is an American-Israeli former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox,Baltimore Orioles,Atlanta Braves,Oakland Athletics,Pittsburgh Pirates,Cincinnati Reds,Miami Marlins,and Cleveland Indians. In international competition,he plays for Team Israel,and competed for them in the World Baseball Classic and in the Olympics.
Robert Jacob Brantly is an American professional baseball catcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. The Detroit Tigers drafted Brantly in the third round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins,Chicago White Sox,Philadelphia Phillies,San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees. Before beginning his professional career,Brantly played college baseball for the UC Riverside Highlanders.
Reese Jackson McGuire is an American professional baseball catcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox.
Tyler Andrew Heineman is an American professional baseball catcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins. The Houston Astros selected Heineman in the eighth round of the 2012 MLB draft. He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins,San Francisco Giants,Toronto Blue Jays,and Pittsburgh Pirates.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
