The Yankees keep losing catchers and somehow keep dominating the position
The Yankees traded catcher Alex Jackson to the Orioles on Saturday morning for international bonus pool money and either cash or a player to be named later. It's the kind of minor move that barely gets noticed. But it says a lot about how the Yankees develop catchers—and why so many of them are thriving somewhere else.
Advertisement
Jackson didn't come up through the Yankees' system, but he spent time in it. After coming over from the Reds with Fernando Cruz in the Jose Trevino trade, he got a chance to work with catching coordinator Tanner Swanson, the same catching coach who helped mold Jose Trevino and Kyle Higashioka into major league regulars.
New York Yankees teammates Jose Trevino and Austin Wells in 2024Michael McLoone-Imagn Images
Now, he joins a growing list of former Yankees catchers who are contributing around the league.
Trevino is starting for the Reds.
Higashioka has a steady role in Texas.
Luis Torrens has carved out a nice spot with the Mets. He is hitting .217/.614 OPS, 2 HR, 14 RBI, and has a .630 caught-stealing rate (9 of 21). Of course he is credited with solid framing and a 2.79 catcher ERA, fourth-best among regular backstops
Carlos Narvaez, who made his debut last seasons hitting .274/.787 OPS, with 7 HR and 28 RBI across 67 games for Boston
Even Red Sox manager Alex Cora had to admit it this week on Power Alley: 'I hate to admit it, but [the Yankees] are the best at turning out catchers right now.'
Cora's not wrong.
Swanson was brought in before the 2020 season to try and help Gary Sanchez become a better catcher. He teaches catchers to receive with one knee down on the ground and frame pitches with minimal movement.
Advertisement
He helped turn Trevino into an afterthought into a an All-Star in 2021.
Not every guy sticks in the Bronx, but a lot of them stick somewhere. Jackson may not have cracked the lineup, but like others before him, he leaves more polished than he came in.
Ironically, the Orioles were in need of a catcher because Sanchez is dealing with a knee injury.
Related: Yankees Add Experienced Third Baseman Amid Infield Concerns
Related: The Yankees Are Not Firing Aaron Boone No Matter the Noise
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
9 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Former No. 1 Overall Pick Predicted to Play Elsewhere Next Season
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. This season did not go the way the Baltimore Orioles hoped it would. A promising young core of players were expected to lead the Orioles to the top of the American League East for a second straight season, but that is not at all what happened. The lack of success from one player in particular has sparked trade conversations and left folks wondering what the likelihood is that former No. 1 pick Adley Rutschman could be traded in the offseason. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 08: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 08, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 08: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the Athletics at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 08, 2025 in Baltimore, Report's Kerry Miller believes that Rutschman may be a top trade target when the offseason rolls around. "Adley Rutschman felt like the long-term face of this franchise almost immediately upon his arrival in the big leagues in May 2022. Yet, here we are, 39 months later, and the Orioles have failed to sign him (or any of their other young stars) to a long-term extension," Miller wrote. There were hefty expectations for Rutschman coming into the big leagues and he lived up to those in his first two seasons. The 2023 season, especially, was the best in the young career of the former top pick. A season slash line of .277/.374/.435 with 31 doubles, 20 home runs and 82 RBIs made it look like Rutschman was already one of the best catchers in MLB and would remain one for foreseeable future. That has not, however, been the case as injuries and poor play over the last two seasons have taken Rutschman out of those conversations. He entered Monday hitting .227 with nine home runs after hitting just .250 with 19 home runs last season. The struggles from Rutschman are just one factor that could lead to him being traded. Sunday, the Orioles promoted MLB's top catching prospect Samuel Basallo to the major leagues for his debut. Combine the impending production from Basallo with the fact that Baltimore's top two picks in this season's MLB Draft were catchers, and it feels like the writing may be on the wall for Rutschman's departure from the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2019. More MLB: Dodgers' Blake Snell Has Padres Message After Taking Back First Place
CBS News
9 minutes ago
- CBS News
Philadelphia boxing gym owner overcame heavyweight battles before he was able to give back to the community
Maleek Jackson was born and raised in South Philadelphia and fell in love with boxing at an early age. "Once we get to that point where you can feel the mistakes and the errors, and you can self-correct. Then we start learning," Jackson said. But after witnessing the death of his older brother, boxing was on the ropes as he was absorbed into a life of crime. "By the time I turned 16, I was a different kid, involved in different things," Jackson said. He landed a dangerous combination, being sentenced to 10 years in prison until he was 26. Three of those years, he was in solitary confinement. "I had to put myself in the fight of life and say, 'Yo, round 1 through 5 not gonna be fair. You know that, but you got to survive,'" said Jackson. Survival became hard when he lost two more brothers to gun violence while incarcerated, including his younger brother, Azzim. "The pain that I felt was unlike any other pain, and that one was younger than me, and I felt more responsibility to him as a protector," he said. Through his inconsolable pain, Jackson rediscovered his love for boxing, which helped him get through his long sentence. "I was able to practice it again in a hopeless situation and extract the mentality of a boxer," he said. That mentality helped Jackson to fight, and after serving his sentence, he shadowed the business workings at a local gym. "I had this light about overcoming and moving forward with my life," Jackson said. Before you know it, he opened his own gym, Maleek Jackson Boxing, in Northern Liberties. He trains everyone from beginners to professionals. "The last part you get is a sweat. That's the icing on the cake," he said. "What you really taking is how to use the gift of boxing when you're out there in your life ... and life is getting tough. Close to his heart is his nonprofit named after his younger brother, the Azzim Dukes Initiative, which offers free year-round training for children. "It gives kids a gift, just like boxing has given to me ... and ultimately … learn to separate your emotions between your actions. That's what boxing does," he said. Jackson's story proves that new beginnings are possible with hard work, dedication and of course, a good one-two punch.
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Romano: AC Milan want 'useful player' from Chelsea – but £50m+ price tag makes move hard
Who's going to buy Nicolas Jackson? Fabrizio Romano's Tweet from last night assures those following the saga that 'Premier League clubs and AC Milan are informed on Jackson situation,' but also reiterates that 'nothing is advanced yet.' Milan move impossible, some Premier League sides ready in theory Chelsea are waiting for bids for Nicolas Jackson says Fabrizio Romano. The AC Milan situation seems like a non-starter. Chelsea wouldn't sell him for less than £50m at a bare minimum as far as we can see. And there's no way that Milan are ready to spend that on a player. The Premier League options are interesting – but even then, can a deal get done? Aston Villa would love him. And maybe they could spent £50-60m on him. But even then, that would be dependent on them selling Ollie Watkins for a similar price, and that doesn't look likely right now. Manchester United's interest was serious, and they could afford him, but they'll have to move on Rasmus Hojlund first, and that won't be easy. Newcastle are in a tangle with Alexander Isak, and right now he looks more likely to stay than go. That means no move to Tyneside for Jackson as things stand. Jackson's future in the balance with 2 weeks of window left There is a lot of interest in Jackson. He wants to go. Chelsea are willing to sell him. All that is in place. But unless the money is right it just can't happen. Teams can get desperate as the window comes to an end – it's amazing what a few early season defeats can do – but right now we're not seeing a clear angle for the Senegal star to go anywhere. The forward Harry Redknapp once called a 'useful player' could end up being more useful for Chelsea than anyone else at this rate.
