Depth Check: The Blue Jays at Catcher in 2027

Since Alejandro Kirk's rookie campaign in 2021, Blue Jays catchers have averaged just over 5.0 fWAR per year, more than any other team's backstops. This past season was more of the same. Blue Jays catchers produced 4.8 fWAR, the third-most in MLB – despite the fact that Kirk only played in 79 games. That was thanks to a spectacular defensive showing from Brandon Valenzuela. In just over 600 innings, the rookie ranked second among all catchers in FRV and fourth in DRS. 

So, the Blue Jays will enter 2026 with one of the strongest catching tandems in the sport. Kirk is one of the most well-rounded catchers in the game, and Valenzuela looks like a worthy backup. Yet, as we learned in 2026, having two catchers isn't always enough. That's why I'm starting this year's Depth Check series behind the plate.

Starting Catcher: Alejandro Kirk

In his worst offensive seasons, Kirk was still an average hitter for his position. At his best, he blends contact skills, plate discipline, and pop into a very productive package. Defensively, he is consistently one of the league's most talented pitch-framers, while his pitch-blocking skills are unparalleled. In 2026, he took to the ABS system naturally, to no surprise. I could easily argue that Kirk is a top-five catcher in baseball.

Backup: Brandon Valenzuela

If there is any knock on Kirk, it's that he hasn't proven he can consistently handle a heavy workload. The 2025 campaign was the first year in which he started more than 90 games or fielded more than 800 innings. That isn't Kirk's fault; he shared his job with Danny Jansen from 2021-24, and the thumb injury he suffered in 2026 could have happened to anyone. Still, it's worth keeping in mind.

Thankfully, Valenzuela's breakout means Kirk's durability is much less of a concern than it could be. Don't get me wrong – the Blue Jays are better off with Kirk's bat in the lineup than Valenzuela's. Kirk uses a sharp eye and great timing to make the most of a slower swing. Valenzuela has yet to show the same skills. However, Valenzuela looked every bit Kirk's equal on the other side of the ball. 

Valenzuela still needs time to develop in the majors and show us who he really is. That said, I believe in the glove, and I think the Blue Jays do too. I'm more skeptical about his offense, but all things considered, that's low on my list of concerns. When your backup catcher plays Gold Glove-calibre defense, anything he does with the stick is just a bonus.

40-Man Depth

Right now, the Blue Jays only have one other catcher on their 40-man roster: 27-year-old Shawn Ross. It's anyone's guess how long they will keep him around – 40-man spots are valuable in November – but for now, he's the third-string catcher. 

Ross started his pro career with the Pirates and worked his way up their system until he made his MLB debut this past summer. He appeared in two games for Pittsburgh before he was designated for assignment. While he only had one hit in his five trips to the plate, it was a big one. Facing future Blue Jay Jameson Taillon, Ross hit a go-ahead two-run home run, getting his first big league hit, run, RBI, and home run out of the way with one swing.

The Mets claimed Ross off waivers in August and subsequently DFA'd him a month later. That's when the Blue Jays swooped in. He caught seven games for Triple-A Buffalo.

If I had to guess, I'd say that Ross isn't in the Blue Jays' plans for 2027. It made sense to claim him in September to have some experienced depth around in case of emergency, but he hasn't done enough to hold on to a 40-man roster spot through the offseason. Maybe if he goes unclaimed on waivers, he will return to the Jays on a minor league deal. 

Rule 5-Eligible Depth

The Blue Jays have two catching prospects who will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this winter: Edward Duran and Jacob Sharp. 

The Jays acquired Duran from the Marlins in 2022. FanGraphs currently has him ranked as the No. 21 prospect in the organization, with a 40 FV. Before the season, their evaluators praised his framing and arm strength but questioned his bat and other defensive skills. Brendan Gawlowski wrote that he "projects as a solid backup."

Unfortunately, the 2026 season was a step backward for Duran. The 22-year-old finished the season with a .605 OPS and 61 wRC+ in 65 games, mostly at High-A Vancouver. He fell off Baseball America's list of the top 30 Blue Jays prospects after their July update, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's lower on the next FanGraphs ranking as well. 

All of this to say, I would be very surprised if the Blue Jays protected Duran from the Rule 5 draft. He might be ready to debut at some point in 2027, but no other team should be willing to guarantee him a 26-man roster spot. 

Sharp joined the Jays in 2024. He came over from the Mariners with Jonatan Clase as the return for Yimi García. Now 25, he's about three years older than Duran, and he has more experience at the Double-A level. However, he's never been a ranked prospect. It's highly unlikely he would be selected in the Rule 5 draft, and even if he were, the Jays could stomach that loss.

More Minor League Depth

Aaron Parker spent the 2026 season with Double-A New Hampshire. He was a three-true-outcomes hitter, knocking 19 homers with a 12.3% walk rate and a 32.3% strikeout rate. It all added up to a 115 wRC+. The 23-year-old is currently playing in the Arizona Fall League, where he's continued to hit well in a handful of games.  

Parker is a bat-first catcher, which goes against the Blue Jays' MO, but he's probably the closest to MLB-ready of any of the prospects in Toronto's system. We could see him in 2027 if the Jays need an emergency stopgap behind the plate, though I think they're more likely to sign a veteran on a minor league contract to play that role.  

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