Atlanta Braves Position Profile: Catcher

Sep 12, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) chases a pitch in the dirt that gets away allowing a New York Mets run to score during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

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Hello, readers. This will be the first part of a 9-part series I am writing over the status of each position on the diamond for the Atlanta Braves. In each piece, I will select a position and proceed lay out a road map for the next few years. I will look at the status of the current roster, the prospects waiting in the wings, the free agents that might become available and/or useful, and then finish by posting my prediction for the next five seasons.

Jul 12, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees catcher

(34) during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves are in the midst of a transformation and in any significant transformation, there is a need for a consistent presence to promote stability and continuity. The catcher position is a significant part of this, especially when your transformation bases itself so heavily around young and developing pitchers.

It is really an interesting time for Braves fans since over the past 15-20 years the club has maintained some of the best offensive catchers in the game. Javy Lopez, Johnny Estrada, Brian McCann, and Evan Gattis are all names that come readily to mind. For the first time in a long time, the position seems void of any immediate productive options.

Moving into SunTrust has and will define most of the roster moves for the Braves between the date of the announcement and opening day 2017. It is imperative that the Atlanta Braves look to find a semi-permanent solution to one of the most influential positions on the diamond.

Next: What's Already Here?