Top three catching tandems in MLB

Ask an avid baseball fan who the top three catchers are in MLB and you're almost certain to hear the same three names: J.T. Realmuto (Phillies), Adley Rutschman (Orioles) and Will Smith (Dodgers). In today's game, though, even if a team has a star behind the dish, an Option B is needed as only two catchers (one being Realmuto) have caught more than 125 games in a season since 2021. 

Teams able to turn to a reliable backstop for the other 50 or so games have a distinct advantage during a 162-game season. Here are the three best catching tandems heading into the 2023 season.

1. Toronto Blue Jays

Alejandro Kirk burst onto the scene last season, racking up 14 homers and 63 RBI, drawing more walks (63) than strikeouts (58), earning his first All-Star nod and winning the Silver Slugger Award -- all in his first full season in the majors. 

Danny Jansen, Kirk's counterpart, was no slouch either, smacking 15 home runs and driving in 44 runs last season in just 72 games. Combined, their 29 HRs and 107 RBI would easily top any individual catcher's numbers, and their combined 6.8 WAR would have been the seventh highest in the MLB last season. 

2. Atlanta Braves

Sean Murphy, acquired from Oakland this offseason, might not be a household name, but he's a darling in the eyes of executives. 

Defensively, Murphy is a revelation. Last season, he finished sixth in Catcher Framing Runs (despite catching 300 more pitches than the second-place finisher) and his 12 Defensive Runs Saved since 2020 places him in the top-10 league-wide. Winning the Gold Glove in 2021 simply reinforced his defensive dominance. 

Murphy's platoonmate is veteran Travis d'Arnaud, who's not your typical backup. A big-leaguer since 2013, he is somewhat of a late bloomer. D'Arnaud achieved his finest individual accolades in the past few years: a first-time Silver Slugger in 2020, World Series championship in 2021 and his sixth All-Star game nod in 2022. 

Murphy and d'Arnaud both launched 18 homers last year and drove in 66 and 60 runs, respectively. Now on the same team, they'll form one of the most formidable catching duos in the league.

3. Kansas City Royals

Salvador Perez, entering his 13th season with the Royals, is one of the more decorated catchers of all time. Since 2013, Perez has made seven All-Star teams and won five Gold Gloves, four Silver Sluggers and the 2015 World Series MVP. 

On top of this, he set the MLB record for most home runs by a catcher in a season with 48 in 2021. Last season, Perez hit 23 home runs and drove in 76 runs (both third most among catchers) despite missing over a month with a thumb injury.

Fortunately, the Royals' heir apparent at catcher, MJ Melendez, made an instant impact in his rookie season, hitting 18 homers with 62 RBI. 

At just 24, Melendez looks to be Kansas City's next great catcher. This season, he should lighten the load for Perez, who could be destined for Cooperstown.