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| James McCann |
McCann was a below-average catcher in 2018. He batted .220/.267/.314 with only eight home runs, 16 doubles and 39 RBIs in 118 games for the Detroit Tigers.
The Tigers were one of the worst teams in the league -- only two wins better than the Sox at 64-98 -- and they chose not to offer McCann a contract.
Signing this player looked like the usual dumpster diving by the Sox front office. But for once, it appears Sox brass was right and I was wrong.
At the one-third mark of the season, McCann is hitting .350/.385/.528 with four home runs, 10 doubles and 12 RBIs. He's even got three stolen bases. Maybe his power numbers are so-so, but there's no arguing with that batting average and on-base percentage. He's been swinging the bat well since the season began.
And the Sox have been winning consistently when he starts behind the plate. Keep in mind this team is 25-29 overall. Here is the Sox's record with each starting catcher:
McCann: 18-12 (.600)
Welington Castillo: 7-16 (.304)
Seby Zavala: 0-1 (.000)
Total: 25-29 (.463)
Let's add one caveat here: McCann has caught all of Lucas Giolito's starts. The right-hander is 7-1 after his 4-3 win over the Royals on Tuesday night. In fact, Giolito has won each of his past five starts.
But isn't it interesting that Giolito's ERA has gone from 6.13 to 2.85 this season, and he's been quick to credit McCann for helping him make in-game adjustments during this career-best streak. Giolito has to make the pitches, yes, but his catcher is clearly helping him along.
McCann went 3 for 4 and scored the go-ahead run in Tuesday's win, so his bat is helping Giolito and other Sox pitchers as much as his game-calling.
No way is McCann going to hit .350 all year. His career slash line is .248/.295/.378. But even when the inevitable regression happens, McCann's numbers might be good enough to get an all-star nod in the American League this year.
The way he and Giolito are working together, they both might end up making the AL roster in mid-July.
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