Kansas City Royals: Top Ten Catchers In Team History

Joel Wagler

Salvador Perez #13 of the Kansas City Royals. – (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

KANSAS CITY ROYALS: WHO ARE THE TOP CATCHERS IN FRANCHISE HISTORY

The Kansas City Royals played their first games in 1969 season, and in their 50 years of existence, some great players have plied their craft for Royals. As we continue our series of the best players in team history by position, Catcher is next on the list.

As with our countdown of the best second basemen ever for the Royals, players had to meet certain criteria to be included in this list. Here are the rules and criteria that helped decide what players were eligible, and at which positions.

At least 1,000 plate appearances with the Royals
Players qualify at the position they played the most games at in a Royals uniform
Only games played for the Royals will count

Only seven second basemen qualified at that position, but ten made the cut at catcher. While second base had a clear-cut number one player, catcher is a bit more cloudy. This is not because there has been a lack of quality talent at this position for the Royals over the years, but because there have been some strong catchers for the Royals over the years.

To compile this list, we looked at a variety of stats to rank the players. Such things as time with the team come into play. Sometimes, two or more players may be very close statistically.

In those cases, a bit of subjectivity will come into play. We all have our fond memories of certain players, and on occasion, with most things equal, maybe a personal favorite will win out. It’s always fun to try to guess what players will make the list, and where they will be placed.

So, let’s get to it. Enjoy our list of the top ten catchers in Kansas City Royals history.

(Note – updated 12/12/18)

Next: Number TEN

Rush singer Geddy Lee (center) talks with former Kansas City Royals catcher Buck Martinez (left) – Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Who remembered that Buck Martinez, who has been an announcer for the Blue Jays for years now, played eight seasons with the Royals?

In his eight seasons, Martinez was pretty much a back-up, playing in only 361 games (an average of 45 a year) and seeing only 1,073 Plate Appearances. Let’s see how he ranked out on our statistical categories among other qualifying catchers:

Last in Home Runs – 15
Last in Runs Scored – 72
Last in Runs Batted In – 104
Last in Stolen Bases – 1
Last in Batting Average – .222
Last in On Base Percentage – .277
Ninth in Slugging Percentage – .322
Ninth in Wins Above Replacement – .9

It is crazy in this day and age to imagine a team keeping around a catcher, even a back-up for eight years based on this total lack of production. He spent parts of the 1969, 1971, 91972, and 1973 seasons in the minors.

The most games Martinez ever played for the Royals was 95 in 1976. His career high in RBI, 34, also came in that season. His WAR was 1.1 that year, meaning he accumulated a negative the rest of his career with the Royals.

This was an easy number ten.

Next: Number NINE

Outside of Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium – Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Brent Mayne is another player who spent quite a bit of time with the Royals, predominately as a back-up. Mayne, for a few seasons here and there, was the Royals most active catcher, playing more than 100 games in 1995, 2002, and 2003. The most games he played in for Kansas City was 113 in 2003.

In reality, his numbers are not much greater than Martinez’s. The fact he was more of a regular in some seasons, and his RBI and Runs Scored totals are better, plus his batting average and on-base percentage were slightly better, help push him into ninth.

Eighth in Home Runs – 20
Seventh in Runs Scored – 191
Seventh in Runs Batted In – 205
Fourth in Stolen Bases – 11
Eighth in Batting Average – .244
Seventh in On Base Percentage – .305
Last in Slugging Percentage – .322
Last in Wins Above Replacement – .2

Mayne ranks in the middle of the pack on a few things, but the fact he is at the bottom in WAR is a good reason to keep him at ninth. When he did play, he did not offer much value. In fact, the highest WAR Mayne earned in all his seasons with Kansas City was in 1991, when it was .6, in just 259 plate appearances.

There is little that is impressive about Mayne’s numbers but the fact he was a left-handed hitting catcher probably made him appealing enough to keep on a roster.

Next: Number EIGHT

Oct 22, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of baseballs before game two of the 2014 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and the San Francisco Giants at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Like the players at nine and ten on this list, Jamie Quirk was basically a back-up his whole career. He played 18 seasons in the majors, including 11 with the Royals, in three different stints, and only played in 984 total games.

Quirk had 1,508 total plate appearances in his 11 seasons with Kansas City. In 1987 Quirk played in 109 games, and went to the plate 334 times. It was the only time in his career he played more than 100 games or had more than 300 plate appearances, in any uniform.

Sixth in Home Runs – 30
Eighth in Runs Scored – 126
Eighth in Runs Batted In – 157
Sixth (t) in Stolen Bases – 5
Seventh in Batting Average – .245
Seventh in On base Percentage – .300
Seventh in Slugging Percentage – .364
Eighth in Wins Above Replacement – 2.1

Brent Mayne and Jamie Quirk were pretty much a toss up, but the the latter got the slightly higher ranking basically due to his many years as a Royals, and the fact his WAR was higher.

Quirk averaged a measly .2 WAR per season, but that was all Mayne was able to accumulate, despite quite a bit more playing time. For those who remember the Royals’ heydays, they will fondly remember Quirk as being part of those great teams.

Next: Number SEVEN

Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium- Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Like the all the players on this list so far, Fran Healy spent most of his time as a back-up. He did have one season as the Royals starting catcher, and he made the most of it.

In 1974, Healy played in 139 games, and he set career highs in plate appearances (514 – almost half of his total with Kansas City), home runs (9), RBI (53), stolen bases (16), and doubles (24).

Ninth in Home Runs – 17
Ninth in Runs Scored – 103
Ninth in Runs Batted In – 106
Second in Stolen Bases – 25
Fourth in Batting Average – .258
Second in On Base Percentage – .336
Sixth in Slugging Percentage – .372
Fifth in Wins Above Replacement – 5.5

Healy gets a higher spot in the countdown than Brent Mayne and Jamie Quirk, because his BA, OBP, and SLG are so much better. Mayne and Quirk have better production numbers, but had many more plate appearances.

The stat that really jumps out is Healy’s 5.5 Wins Above Replacement. Whereas Mayne and Quirk were clearly replacement level players, Healy’s WAR, in many fewer games, indicates he brought much more to the table.

Like Martinez, few Royals fans born after 1970, are going to remember Fran Healy, let alone recognize he name. Still, Healy comes in as the seventh best catcher in franchise history, mainly because of one really good season – but it was far better than any the first three catchers on this list produced.

Next: Number SIX

Former Kansas City Royals catcher John Buck (4) – Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

John Buck – the best player the Kansas City Royals received in exchange for Carlos Beltran. Oh my!

The biggest issue with John Buck is that the Royals relied on him too much as a power source. He had power, hence his 70 home runs as a Royal, but he hit more than 12 only once for Kansas City.

His high batting average for the Royals was only .247, in 2009, when he had his fewest at bats for the team. He was a swing and miss kind of guy, as indicated by the 20.5 Strikeout Rate in 2006, which was his best rate with not only for the Royals, but as a major leaguer. That means he struck out more than once every five at bats.

Still, Buck was a Royal long enough to get 2,116 plate appearances. He ranks as the sixth best catcher in team history.

Second in Home Runs – 70
Fifth in Runs Scored – 218
Fifth in Runs Batted In – 259
Eighth (t) in Stolen Bases – 4
Ninth in Batting Average – .235
Eighth in On Base Percentage – .298
Fourth in Slugging Percentage – .407
Seventh in Wins Above Replacement – 3.8

Buck is the first catcher on this list that was mostly a starter. His production numbers reflect that. His paltry Batting Average, On Base Percentage, and WAR really prevented him for realistically being any higher on this list though.

With 70 dingers, Buck does have the second most of any Royals catcher. He also played on some of the worst teams in Royals history, but he was not fair compensation for Carlos Beltran, though.

Buck has played on seven teams in the five years since leaving Kansas City, even earning an All-Star birth for Toronto in 2010.

Next: Number FIVE

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.

Next: Now It Gets Hard - Number FOUR

View of the fountains in the outfield at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Now it gets difficult.

Ed Kirkpatick was an original Royal, joining the expansion club for its inaugural campaign in 1969. He had seven years under his belt with the California Angels, but mainly as a utility layer. In fact, Kirkpatrick had only 21 games as a catcher in his time with the Angels.

Even more so than Wathan, Kirkpatrick played all over the field. In 1969, he saw action in just two games behind the plate, only one of which was a start. He started one game at first base, and another at third. He started 27 in left field, 19 in center, and another 29 in right. How about that for versatility.

It wasn’t until 1970 that he played most of his games for the Royals at catcher. In total, he played catcher 278 games out of 613 games for Kansas City, more than any single one position. He played in 281 games in the outfield, but spread among all three spots.

Thusly, Kirkpatrick qualifies at catcher. He and the player at number three are relatively close statistically, but Kirkpatrick gets the fourth spot because the next player is all catcher.

Fifth in Home Runs – 56
Fifth in Runs Scored – 249
Sixth in Runs Batted In – 245
Third in Stolen Bases – 16
Sixth in Batting Average – .248
Third in On Base Percentage – .334
Fifth in Slugging Percentage – .390
Fourth in Wins Above Replacement – 9.2

Kirkpatrick put up solid numbers in his Royals, and is in the top five in nearly all of these categories. Some younger fans may not even know his name, but Ed Kirkpatrick was a key performer in the Royals early years. His versatility helped his value, but he was no slouch at the plate.

Next: Big Mac Attack

Kansas City Royals mascot at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The toughest players to rank on this list are the two at the top. They accumulated their stats in much different ways. Mike MacFarlane, whom is ultimately ranked second, put up his numbers over time.

MacFarlane was a consistent performer for the Royals eleven season. He not only has the most home runs by a Royals catcher, by far, but he ranks 13th in franchise history in home runs. He also has the most games of any catcher for the Royals and the most plate appearances.

His best year came in 1993 when he set career highs in home runs (20), RBI (67), and On Base Percentage (.360). He was an important cog for the Royals for most of the 1990’s, and he earned this spot in the countdown.

Second in Home Runs – 103
Second in Runs Scored – 361
Second in Runs Batted In – 398
Fifth in Stolen Bases – 9
Fifth in Average – .256
Fourth in On Base Percentage – .327
Second in Slugging Percentage – .439
Third in Wins Above Replacement – 14.2

Considering that MacFarlane ranks first among catchers for the Royals in four of those categories, and second in another, how in the world is he not the top ranked catcher in team history? Quite simply, while he was a steady producer for years, his best year in 1993 was barely above average.

He did earn a WAR of 3.4 in 1993, but that was the only time in his career, according to Fangraphs, that he was over 2.7.

MacFarlane was a fine, solid Royal for many years, and wholly deserves this spot. In the 2001 revised version of The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, Mike MacFarlane was ranked as the 84th best catcher EVER in the Major Leagues. He is just number two here, but he a true Royal.

Next: An Incredible Four Seasons

Kansas City Royals – Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Darrell Porter played just four seasons with the Kansas City Royals, but three of them were terrific. His stats in Kansas City were far above his career averages, and included three of the best all around years for his 17-year career.

Other Catchers To See Action For The Royals

The Royals had a few other catchers see some time in blue. Bob Boone, long before he was a Royals’ manager, played in 171 games in Kansas City City. He earned a 2.8 WAR for the Royals. He is listed 21st in James’ 2001 Abstract.

Jim Sundberg played in 255 games and had a 2.7 WAR. His 22 home runs are the eighth most for a Royals catcher but he didn’t have enough plate appearances to make this list.

Sundberg’s key moment for the Kansas City Royals came in the 1986 ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays when he smashed a base loaded triple that helped propel the team into the World Series. He came in at 32nd in James’ 2001 Abstract.

Don Slaught saw action in 250 games, and had a WAR of 3.7, if he had qualified. Miguel Olivo had 35 home runs as a Royal, and would have been 6th on this list with enough plate appearances. He came in at 67 on James’ list.

Remember 2004? Benito Santiago played in all of 49 games in his very brief Royals’ career.

It will be interesting to see if Salvador Perez can remain on the path to stardom in the coming years. He could get injured; he already missed a few months with a knee injury. His weight could become an issue, as he is a very large man to be squatting as much as he does.

To be frank, his approach at the plate could derail his career because it may prevent him from moving to first base or designated hitter later in his career. Still, he is a promising young catcher who has time to improve. If he can maintain his level of play that the has displayed thus far for a few more years, he will not only be the best catcher of all-time but one of the best Royals ever.

The Royals have had plenty of catchers over the decades but few every day catchers that played for more than a few years, especially those that we considered good players. This has changed with Perez signed through 2021.

Players like Darrell Porter, Mike MacFarlane, Brent Mayne, John Wathan, and Ed Kirkpatrick have played a big part in the Royals’ history at catcher. Did your favorite make the list?

Special thanks to Baseball-Reference and Fangraphs for being such excellent resources for statistics.

Next: Ten Things All Royals' Fans Should Know

Joel Wagler

Joel has been covering the NFL, MLB, college football and basketball, and even some entertainment topics for over 11 years. He's written for KC Kingdom, Arrowhead Addict, Kings of Kauffman, Yanks Go Yard, Toro Times, and Winter is Coming. Joel is currently the Senior Sports Director FanSided, part of the Minute Media family.