Francisco Cervelli

2013

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2012

Cervelli is a serviceable enough backup catcher, and the Yankees like both his defense and his personality, but if Jesus Montero can demonstrate even a basic level of competence to play 20-30 games behind the plate, Cervelli is likely to be out of a job. He's unlikely to hit enough to ever be a full-time starter, but he should carve out a career as a backup somewhere.

2011

With Jorge Posada battling injuries and demonstrating increasing defensive deficiencies, Cervelli logged over 300 plate appearances last season. He makes decent contact and was good at generating walks (.359 OBP), but his .335 slugging percentage means the Yankees are basically devoid of any power from the catching position when he's in the lineup. Posada will transition to DH in 2011, leaving Cervelli and Russell Martin to handle the bulk of the playing time behind the plate until prospects Jesus Montero and Austin Romine are ready to enter the picture.

2010

Cervelli’s defensive prowess is rarely questioned; it’s his production with the bat in his hands that has some scouts believing he’ll top out as a reserve catcher in the bigs. He made some strides at the plate in 2009, hitting .298 with a .309 OBP in 94 at-bats with the Yankees, though he’s still almost completely devoid of home-run power. Still, his superb work behind the dish led New York to let the aging Jose Molina walk, so they may rely primarily on Cervelli as the No. 2 backstop behind Jorge Posada in 2010.

2009

A wrist injury took away most of Cervelli's 2008 season, but he did manage to put together a .315/.432/.384 line at Double-A before getting a late-season callup to the Yankees for depth behind the plate at Triple-A. He hasn't swung the bat well enough in the minors to get fantasy owners excited about him, but Cervelli is excellent defensively and should have a future in the big leagues as a capable reserve. Jorge Posada is expected to be ready for Opening Day, so veteran Jose Molina will slot in as the team's backup catcher barring an unforeseen setback. Unless another devastating injury strikes, Cervelli will spend most of 2009 at Triple-A preparing to take over as the eventual No. 2 backstop in New York.