Tyler Heineman is a 33-year-old journeyman catcher who has played in parts of five major league seasons. When a catcher gets his backup catcher union card, he can often play for years.
He’s played for six MLB teams and played in several team’s minor league systems. He’s the type of guy teams like to have in Triple-A, to be ready to come up when a catcher is injured. He can handle the defensive part of the position and get along with the pitcher. As a rule, these guys are likable, don’t rock the boat, and don’t make a fuss when they are sent back down to the minors. They know their role.
Tyler isn’t there to win us the game, but he’s there not to lose us the game. I used to get irritated that teams wouldn’t use a young catcher with some potential in the role. If someone is going to come up for three weeks to fill in for an injury, why not give someone a chance to learn the majors a bit? But then, the younger catcher may make a mistake which costs a game. He might not work as well with the pitching staff. All that stuff.
Anyway, in his five partial MLB seasons, Tyler has played 111 games, hit .212/.298/.273 with 1 home run (off Zack Wheeler, in Tyler’s fourth MLB game in 2019).
The Jays claimed Tyler off waivers from the Red Sox in mid-September. He played in five games with the Jays, getting one hit in 16 PA.
In one of those five games, Tyler pitched. One inning, allowed one hit, no runs in a 15-5 loss to the Marlins. It is the second time he pitched an inning in the majors (and has a 0.00 ERA).
Right now, Heineman and Kirk are the only catchers on the 40-man roster, but the Jays signed Christian Bethancourt to a minor-league contract, and Bethancourt would be a better choice for second catcher.
Heineman is out of options, so if he doesn’t make the Jays, he’ll have to be DFAed.
But that’s a decision for the end of spring training. I’d be happier if the Jays found someone else to share the catching job with Alejandro Kirk, but I don’t think it is happening.
Steamer thinks that Heineman will play in 33 games, have 130 PA, and 2 homers,