Andrew Knapp gives Phillies quality insurance as backup catcher | Bob Brookover

Since the Phillies acquired J.T. Realmuto in a trade with the Miami Marlins before the 2019 season, they have often referred to him as “the best catcher in baseball.” That flattering opinion is shared by many outside the organization as evidenced by Realmuto’s No. 1 ranking in the MLB Network’s Top Ten Right Now series.

Unsurprisingly, there is no list of the top 10 backup catchers in baseball. If there were, Andrew Knapp’s name would belong on it. In fact, with James McCann moving from a backup role with the Chicago White Sox to a starting role with the New York Mets after signing a four-year deal worth $40.6 million during the offseason, the Phillies might just have the best catcher and the best backup catcher in baseball now.

“I don’t know if there is necessarily a best backup, but I just try to fill in the best I can when I can,” Knapp said Tuesday morning before the Phillies game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Clearwater, Fla. “Obviously J.T. is now the highest paid catcher in the history of the game and I’m going to be his backup, so for me it’s about going out and … trying to keep that level of play when he’s not in the game.”

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Knapp, 29, is coming off the best season of his career and is in the midst of his busiest spring training as Realmuto continues to recover from the fractured right thumb he suffered just before the start of camp. Knapp was prepared for the extra work because he had to make sure he was ready for a more rigorous workload in the regular season just in case the Phillies did not re-sign Realmuto.

“I was preparing to catch 100 to 120 games both mentally and physically because you can’t wait until J.T. does or doesn’t sign to then get ready, so I took the offseason to make sure my body was ready to go and do that,” Knapp said. “I feel really healthy and strong, so that’s good.”

Though there is no ranking of backup catchers, there is a way to measure how good the tandem of Realmuto and Knapp were last season. Only the White Sox pair of Yasmani Grandal and McCann rated higher according to fangraphs.com, but the Realmuto and Knapp ranked higher offensively.

Knapp batted .278 with a .404 on-base percentage and .849 OPS while starting his highest percentage of games at catcher in his career. He was the starter for 22 of the team’s 60 games because Realmuto was used eight games as the designated hitter and missed time late in the season with a hip injury.

“The more you play, the more you get into a rhythm,” Knapp said. “I think what helped me get off to a quick start last year was the second spring training because I was getting at-bats in Philly leading into the season and then I was able to keep that rhythm,” Knapp said.

He has continued to play a lot in Grapefruit League games, but Realmuto is expected to be back in time for the April 1 season opener against Atlanta. The National League, at least for one more season, is expected to go without the designated hitter again in 2021, which will also likely cut into Knapp’s playing time. Manager Joe Girardi has said he still plans to play Knapp quite a bit, but if Realmuto is healthy he will want to be in the lineup as often as possible.

“It was great last year (with the DH),” Knapp said. “It was nice for J.T. to stay in the lineup and for me to also get at-bats. The DH created that opportunity, but I also love the National League’s strategy of the game. We can add value by bringing good at-bats off the bench with pinch hits. I’m just happy that it’s going to feel a lot more normal this year with 162 games and National League rules. I think we’re all looking forward to that.”

Knapp is also looking forward to the day when he might have the opportunity to be a starting catcher. He was a second-round pick by the Phillies out of the University of California in 2013 and after hitting a combined .308 with 13 home runs and 84 RBIs at double-A Reading and triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2015, he was ranked 96th among Baseball America’s top 100 minor-league prospects.

Players with that kind of minor-league pedigree do not aspire to be the best backup catcher in baseball.

“I do think some of that has been lost because I did play every day coming up through the minor leagues,” Knapp said. “I didn’t pinch-hit in the minor leagues and then I get to the big leagues and that’s kind of my role. It took me a little bit of time to figure out how to adjust to that type of play. But, listen, I would much rather be in the big leagues than be a highly regarded prospect. I’m very happy with the way my career has gone so far, but I would love an opportunity to go out and show what I can do every day.”

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With Realmuto signed through 2025, it’s not likely to happen in Philadelphia, but Knapp can become a free agent after next season and he knows if he is still among the best backup catchers in baseball that he should generate interest on the open market.

“I definitely want to have that opportunity,” Knapp said. “Right now, my career is under team control and you let the chips fall where they may. But I think all the preparation that I’ve put in through these first four years makes me realize I can go out and do this every single day. I know what it takes. I’ve seen guys do it. My body feels great. I’m 29 years old and I haven’t had that many innings on my legs. I’m still really fresh.”

For now, Knapp must wait for his chance and the Phillies are more than happy to have him as their catching insurance policy.