GLENDALE, Ariz. — Korey Lee has recognized a shared quality among the catchers in the Chicago White Sox organization — a strong work ethic. “We have a lot of hard workers,” Lee remarked, indicating that this dedication will help shape the team’s overall ethos.
As the White Sox navigate through a challenging rebuilding phase, marked by a staggering 121 losses in the previous season, they have successfully brought together a promising lineup of young catchers who could significantly influence the future of the franchise. Lee, 26, and 21-year-old Edgar Quero were both acquired through trades in July 2023, with Lee being obtained from Houston in exchange for reliever Kendall Graveman, while Quero came from the Los Angeles Angels along with left-handed pitcher Ky Bush, a deal that involved sending pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López to Los Angeles.
Adding to this promising group, Kyle Teel, who recently celebrated his 23rd birthday, joined the roster when the White Sox dealt Garrett Crochet to Boston in a high-profile trade in December. Moreover, veterans Matt Thaiss and Omar Narváez, along with 18th-round pick Adam Hackenberg from the 2021 amateur draft, are also present in camp this year.
First-year manager Will Venable expressed enthusiasm about the catchers available to him, saying, “We like all those guys. They’re athletic and capable of performing various roles on the field.” While rebuilding, the catching position wasn’t a deliberate focus for the team’s management, the influx of talent behind the plate occurred organically.
General Manager Chris Getz explained, “It was primarily about maximizing the value we could get from our trade deals. Everyone is searching for catching talent. By acquiring players like Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel, I know they will hold value for a long time, especially since I’ve seen firsthand how teams prioritize finding catchers during the offseason.”
Both Quero and Teel are regarded as top prospects, having each spent time at two levels of the minor leagues last season and concluding the year at Triple-A. Quero demonstrated his skills with a .280 batting average, 16 home runs, and 70 RBIs, while Teel, a first-round selection in the 2023 amateur draft, finished with a .288 average, 13 home runs, and 78 RBIs.
In contrast, Lee is already an established player, making his Major League debut with Houston in 2022. After a solid start with the White Sox last season, he stumbled towards the end, concluding the year with a .210 average, 12 home runs, and 37 RBIs across 125 games. “I’m focusing on maintaining consistency,” Lee stated. “There will be fluctuations, but the goal is to stay at a high performance level as much as possible.”
Developing as a catcher presents unique challenges due to the defensive responsibilities tied to the position. Lee credits Martín Maldonado for imparting valuable lessons during their time together with the Astros and the White Sox. “You need a strong desire to be a catcher. You must stay engaged with every pitch,” Lee noted. “I learned that from Maldy, both in Houston and last year, and it set a solid foundation for my career.”
