Kansas City Royals: Top Ten Catchers In Team History

Kansas City Royals mascot Slugger at Kauffman Stadium – Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

As a Royals fan, how can you not love John “Duke” Wathan? At some point, he was on the roster every season during the Royals’ Golden age – from 1976 through 1985. In his ten seasons, he received just 2,764 plate appearances but he was an absolute team player.

Did you know that John Wathan played 572 games at catcher, 196 games at first base (but only 103 starts), 28 in left field, and 39 in right field? The only season in which he started more than 100 games at catcher was 1982. In that season, he set a Major League record Stolen Bases by a Catcher, with 36.

For the most part, Wathan was a back-up catcher who was athletic enough to play some other positions in a pinch. His 105 career stolen bases are 11th for the Royals all time.

Wathan’s versatility earned him enough playing time that he ranks well in some stats.

• Seventh in Home Runs –  21
• Third in Runs Scored – 305
• Fourth in Runs Batted In – 261
• First in Stolen Bases – 105
• Third in Batting Average – .262
• Fifth in On Base Percentage – .318
• Eighth in Slugging Percentage – .343
• Fifth (t) in Wins Above Replacement – 5.5

Wathan even managed the Royals from 1987 through 1991, compiling a record 287-270. His winning percentage of .515 is the highest of any Kansas City manager since Royals’ Hall-of-Famer, Dick Howser.

Some argument might be made that Wathan should a bit higher, but his back-up status most seasons kept is WAR down. He accumulated 4.9 of his 5.5 Wins Above Replacement in just two season – 1980 (2.1) and 1982 (2.7).

The catchers ahead of Wathan are good players, so ranking fifth on this list is not a negative. John Wathan is a life long Kansas City Royals, and has a sentimental place in the hearts of most long-time fans.

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