Kyle Farmer is a young and promising baseball player who made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2017. Although he’s played multiple positions in the field, including first base, third base, and shortstop, he started his career as a catcher.
However, since his debut, he has been playing as an infielder for the Cincinnati Reds. This begs the question: Can Kyle Farmer play catcher?
Kyle Farmer’s Early Baseball Years
Kyle Farmer’s first career at-bat was a memorable one as it took place in the 11th inning of a game against the San Francisco Giants, one of the most storied rivalries in baseball.
Farmer was playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers at the time and was called upon to pinch-hit in a tight game where the Dodgers were trailing by a run.
Although he did not secure a hit in his first at-bat, it was a significant moment for Farmer, who had worked hard to reach the major leagues.
Farmer’s interest in baseball began at a young age, and he played youth baseball before moving on to play college ball. At Marist School in Atlanta, Georgia, Farmer was a standout player and helped his team win two state championships.
After high school, he continued his baseball career at the University of Georgia, where he played for three seasons. During his time at Georgia, Farmer played primarily as a shortstop and had an impressive college career, batting .309 with 15 home runs and 112 RBIs.
After his junior year, Farmer was eligible for the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft and was selected in the eighth round by the Dodgers in 2013. After being drafted, Farmer started his professional career in the Dodgers’ minor league system.
He spent time at various levels, playing for teams like the Ogden Raptors, Great Lakes Loons, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, and Tulsa Drillers. Throughout his minor league career, Farmer continued to impress and was known for his versatility on the field.
He played several positions, including catcher, third base, and shortstop, and had a career batting average of .288.
After several seasons in the minors, Farmer finally got his chance to play in the major leagues with the Dodgers in 2017. His hard work and versatility had paid off, and he was an important part of the team’s success in his rookie year.
Farmer continued to play for the Dodgers until 2020 when he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds, where he currently plays.
Kyle Farmer’s journey to the major leagues was a testament to hard work and dedication. From his early years playing youth baseball to his time at the University of Georgia and then his minor league career, Farmer worked tirelessly to achieve his dream of playing in the MLB.
Although he faced challenges along the way, he persevered and helped lead his team to success. His first at-bat in the majors was just the beginning of what has been a successful career for this talented player.
Kyle Farmer’s Debut and Pinch-hitting Heroics
Kyle Farmer was a highly touted prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system. After playing for three seasons in the minors, he finally made his debut in the major leagues in 2017.
The farmer was called up to the big leagues in late July and was immediately thrown into the fire. In his first game, he was asked to pinch-hit in the bottom of the 11th inning with the Dodgers trailing the San Francisco Giants 2-1.
The farmer was a catcher by trade, but on this day, he was asked to hit in a high-pressure situation.
Analysis of His Pinch-hitting Success
Farmer’s pinch-hitting heroics were nothing short of impressive. With the count 2-2, he blasted a two-run homer to left field, giving his team a walk-off victory and his first MLB hit.
The thrill of the moment was electric as his teammates swarmed him at home plate. This was the start of a great MLB career, and Farmer’s debut will always be remembered as one of the most impressive in recent history.
Farmer’s Role With the Dodgers as a Catcher
Despite starting his MLB career with an impressive pinch-hit performance, Farmer’s role on the Dodgers was limited due to the team’s depth at catcher.
The Dodgers already had two All-Star catchers on their roster, Yasmani Grandal and Austin Barnes, which meant that Farmer would have limited opportunities to play.
However, Farmer’s versatility as a player helped him earn some playing time in other positions. He played a few games at first base and third base, showing that he could be a utility player in the National League.
Farmer’s MLB debut was impressive, and it wouldn’t be the last time he would make an impact for the Dodgers. Over the next few years, he would play in a few dozen games for the Dodgers, filling in wherever the team needed him.
Despite never being a regular starter, Farmer’s contributions to the team were vital, and he became a fan favorite in Los Angeles. Today, Farmer is still playing in the major leagues, this time with the Cincinnati Reds.
Nevertheless, his unforgettable debut will always be remembered by Dodgers fans as one of the greatest pinch-hitting performances of all time.
Catching Skills and Development
Kyle Farmer was primarily a shortstop and third baseman in college, but he also caught occasionally for the University of Georgia Bulldogs. However, upon being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth round of the 2013 MLB Draft, he was converted to a full-time catcher.
Since then, he has logged over 2,000 innings behind the plate in the minor leagues and over 200 innings in the majors.
As a catcher, Farmer has shown good athleticism and versatility, able to play multiple positions in addition to catching. He also has a strong arm and quick release, allowing him to be a solid defensive catcher.
Additionally, Farmer has shown a good ability to work with pitchers and call a game, helping his pitchers to be successful and limiting opposing teams’ offenses.
Reviews of His Catching Abilities From Coaches and Scouts
Farmer has received positive reviews for his catching abilities from coaches and scouts in both the minors and the majors. In particular, he has been lauded for his work ethic, positioning, and framing ability.
For example, in 2018, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Farmer saying, “I think he’s really grown in the catching department… His blocking is much improved, his receiving and framing.
And he’s always had a strong arm.”.
Similarly, Dodgers’ Director of Player Development, Brandon Gomes, has stated that Farmer’s receiving skills are “excellent”, and his blocking and game-calling have continued to improve each year.
How Does Farmer Continue to Develop His Catching Skills?
As Farmer continues to develop in his catching role, he remains focused on improving his skills. Specifically, he works on his receiving, blocking, and framing techniques, noting that “every year you can get better”.
Farmer also recognizes the importance of learning from experienced catchers, both on his own team and from around the league. For example, he talks with Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes to get feedback on his technique and game-calling.
He has also studied the catching styles of Yadier Molina and Buster Posey to improve his own skills.
Finally, Farmer continues to maintain his versatility by working on his abilities at other positions, like first and third base, further enhancing his value as a catcher who can play multiple positions.
Future Outlook for Farmer as a Catcher
Farmer’s Role With Current Team, the Cincinnati Reds
The farmer was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in December 2018 and has since played a utility role for the team. He has played catcher, third base, and second base in his time with the Reds.
In the 2020 season, he played in 39 games and started in 30 of them. He had a batting average of .266 with 5 home runs and 21 RBIs. The versatility of Farmer’s skill set has been valued by the Reds, as he is able to play multiple positions and can serve as a backup catcher.
Potential for Increased Playing Time at Catcher
There is potential for Farmer to have increased playing time at Catcher for the Reds in the future. Last season, the Reds primarily had Tucker Barnhart and Curt Casali as their catchers.
However, Barnhart had a batting average of .204 and Casali had a batting average of .127. With their lack of offensive production, there may be opportunities for Farmer to take on a larger role behind the plate.
Additionally, the Reds may choose to give Farmer more playing time at Catcher to further develop his skills and build depth at the position.
Opinions on Farmer’s Future Success as a Catcher
There are mixed opinions on Farmer’s future success as a catcher. Some believe that his versatility and ability to play multiple positions will hinder him from becoming a full-time starting catcher.
Others believe that his defensive skills and ability to manage a pitching staff make him a valuable asset behind the plate. In his limited experience as a catcher, Farmer has shown promise.
In the 2020 season, he threw out 27% of potential base stealers and had a passed ball rate of only 0.6%. If he continues to improve and can provide offensive production, Farmer could potentially have a successful future as a catcher with the Reds or another team.
What Position Does Kyle Farmer Play?
Kyle Farmer is a professional baseball player in MLB. He primarily plays the position of shortstop. Farmer has played at second and third base as well.
He was drafted by the Dodgers in 2013. Farmer made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2017.
After being traded to the Reds in 2018, Farmer played various infield positions. Farmer joined the Twins in 2021 as a utility player. As a shortstop, Farmer is known for his defensive skills.
Farmer has a career fielding percentage of .980. He has also played in the minor leagues as a catcher and in the outfield.
Has Kyle Farmer Ever Played Left Field?
Kyle Farmer has only played four innings in the outfield in his major league career. The Twins have suggested that Farmer could play left field. Farmer is primarily a catcher and infielder. He has spent the majority of his time in the minors as a shortstop.
Farmer was drafted by the Dodgers in 2013. He made his major league debut in 2017. In 2019, Farmer played in 72 games for the Cincinnati Reds. He has a career batting average of .231 in the majors.
Farmer is known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. It remains to be seen if he will see significant time in left field for the Twins.
To Recap
While Kyle Farmer has showcased his versatility by playing multiple positions in the infield, his primary position is that of a catcher. Although he hasn’t played the position consistently in recent years, his experience in both the minor and major leagues suggests that he’s capable of playing as a catcher.
Whether or not he’ll have the opportunity to don the catcher’s gear and play for the Reds in the future remains to be seen. However, if he proves his worth as an infielder, there’s a chance that he could be asked to catch again in the future.
