Mariners Sign Cameron Rupp to Minor League Deal

The Mariners have added some catching depth to a depleted Minor League system. This catcher, however, could be in Seattle sooner rather than later.

After Mike Marjama’s recent retirement, the Mariners have been in desperate need of catching for their Minor League ranks. Per MLBTR, the Mariners have signed former Phillies backstop Cameron Rupp.

Rupp was released by the Phillies back in March and has since played for the Triple-A affiliates of both the Texas Rangers and Minnesota Twins.

Before that, Rupp was regarded as one of the better defensive catchers in the MLB. His defense carried him to one-win seasons in 2015 and 2016, as well as a near-one-win season in 2017.

The problem is his offense. He’s a significant liability at the plate, striking out 34.4% of the time in 2017. This was a key contributor to his release.

In 2016, he did slash .252/.303/.447 with 16 homers to the tune of a 98 wRC+. Still, he struck out at a clip of 27.2% that year.

But he has some serious pop for a backup catcher. In 206 at-bats in Triple-A this year, Rupp hit 11 home runs. However, his strikeout numbers are so egregious that he just hasn’t been able to stick with a team this year.

The Mariners may be in a position to overlook that for now, considering the injury to Mike Zunino. David Freitas and Chris Herrmann have been defensive liabilities since Zunino hit the disabled list, and it’s cost the Mariners during their current skid.

While Herrmann has been solid with the bat, Freitas has been mediocre at best. At least with Rupp, you get a power threat every plate appearance.

Rupp’s deal is of the Minor League variety and he’ll initially report to Tacoma. I don’t think his stay will be very long, especially if Zunino can’t make it back after the All-Star break.

Next: Mariners Fan's Shouldn't Give Up on Zunino Yet.

If Zunino does return later this week, though, then at least you have a defensive upgrade over Herrmann waiting in Tacoma.

Either way, Rupp will likely be in the navy and teal at some point this season. It’s just a matter of when, not if.