LAKELAND, Fla. — Eric Haase, who has never started more than 91 games at catcher in a season, is primed to be the Detroit Tigers’ starter there this season.
The 30-year-old notched his career high in 2019 for Triple-A Columbus, the Cleveland Guardians’ affiliate, but hasn’t surpassed the mark since joining the Tigers in 2020. He started just 61 games in 2021 and 68 games in 2022 despite earning an established all-around role in the big leagues.
But Haase is ready to catch more often.
“I’ve definitely put in a lot more work behind the plate,” Haase said.
As spring training begins, Haase is the only catcher guaranteed to make the Opening Day roster, with 27-year-old Jake Rogers, 26-year-old Donny Sands and 31-year-old Andrew Knapp competing for the backup job.
Spanning the past two seasons, the hometown catcher — a Dearborn Divine Child alumnus — has been the Tigers’ best offensive player, hitting .242 with 36 home runs in 208 games. The advanced analytics, as well as the eye test, support the claim. His 106 wRC+ ranked first among 15 Tigers with at least 200 plate appearances, and his powerful swing has instilled fear in opposing pitchers.
He seems like the clear-cut starting catcher.
“He’s not given the reins yet,” Hinch said. “I think he’s going to be an important part of our team, but I wouldn’t put it as ‘given the reins.’ I don’t say that to say he’s not going to catch the bulk of the games. I have no idea how the lineups are going to go based on performance.”
Last year, Haase entered spring training as the backup catcher behind defense-first veteran Tucker Barnhart.
Haase, a right-handed hitter, prepared in the offseason to serve as a lefty specialist in a utility role as a catcher, left fielder and first baseman, only to play 84 games (68 starts) at catcher and 11 games (four starts) in left field.
Barnhart is no longer with the Tigers. Rogers must reestablish himself in his return from Tommy John surgery. Sands, acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Gregory Soto trade, has played three MLB games. Knapp is a career backup catcher and doesn’t fit the profile of a starter.
The door is wide open.
“That’s the ultimate goal for everybody,” Haase said in January. “Just getting up here is a feat in and of itself. Staying up here is another feat. Being able to do that every single day, there’s a very small fraction of people who get to do that. I’m definitely putting in the work to try to be one of those people.”
To get there, Haase needs to improve his work behind the plate.
As a catcher, he was worth minus-9 defensive runs saved and minus-5 framing runs last season. Two seasons ago, he was worth minus-3 defensive runs saved and minus-6 framing runs.
The Tigers recently implemented technology and data to determine where Haase needs to crouch behind the plate. This spring, he has been asked to move closer to the plate. Moving closer could help him steal more strikes for his pitchers, thus improving his framing metrics.
“You can see where he sets up compared to some of the better framers in the league,” Hinch said. “He’s close to 12 inches deep, and 12 inches matters a lot. We’re going to tweak where he sets up behind the hitter and how much distance he gives himself.
“Nobody wants to get hit by a bat, but you cut off 12 inches of movement, depth-wise from a pitch, you’re going to be able to control that pitch better. If we can get him better in and around the strike zone, with his power and his offensive potential, it will be very good for him and us.”
Haase ranked 51st among 59 catchers with at least 1,000 pitches called.
“I think there’s a lot of low-hanging fruit on the defensive aspect, especially the receiving,” Haase said. “We had a coaching staff, or a front office, who prioritized different things in the past. With Scott (Harris) coming in, it’s very, very clear he likes to control the strike zone.
“I thought the importance of 90 feet (blocking pitches) was more important than getting the strike. It’s shifted the way I see the game now. I understand the importance of the receiving aspect, and I think with a little more effort specifically to that, I think there’s a lot to be had.”
Haase also needs to continue his development against right-handed pitchers.
He went from hitting .204 with a .661 OPS in 2021 to hitting .239 with a .731 OPS in 2022. Against lefties, his strong suit, he hit .283 with a .907 OPS in 2021 and .281 with a .778 OPS in 2022.
“It’s how you use the data, like how guys are attacking me and what to look for,” Haase said. “Having a better plan going up to the plate allows me to use my athleticism, allows me to be in those (hitting) positions. When you’re seeing righties consistently, like how I started to at the end of last year, I really started seeing the approaches and different things pay off for me.”
On offense, Haase’s production improved from a 101 wRC+ in 98 games in 2021 to a 112 wRC+ in 110 games in 2022. His 112 wRC+ last season ranked 10th among 37 catchers with at least 250 plate appearances.
“The power is real,” Hinch said. “We’ve got to improve his defense.”
With the bat, he took a step forward despite launching fewer home runs in his second season as a regular. It’s now time for his defense, specifically his receiving and framing, to do the same.
There could be a long-term opportunity for the taking this season.
“I have to be ready to catch,” Haase said. “That’s priority No. 1 because that takes the most, like meeting with the pitchers and what I have to do behind the plate. I’m always preparing to catch 162 (games). Even though that might not be the case, that’s how I have to prepare every day. If I get in there, I have to be ready to do it.”