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Red Sox Predicted to Replace Carlos Narvaez With 19 Home Run Young Slugger

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated Jun 15, 2025 5:15 PM ET

After trading Kyle Teel in a deal for Garrett Crochet during the offseason, which was clearly the right decision, as Crochet has arguably been a top-three starter in Major League Baseball, the Boston Red Sox had some question marks at the catcher position.

There are still some, but with the way Carlos Narvaez has played behind the dish, it's tough to ignore. Narvaez has been excellent, hitting .280 with six home runs, 23 RBIs, and has been great behind the dish.

The 26-year-old isn’t arbitration-eligible until 2028, and doesn't hit free agency until 2031.

But if he continues to play the way he has, he'll likely be the Red Sox's long-term answer at the position.

Despite that, The Sporting News recently predicted that the Red Sox would draft a catcher in this upcoming draft in the form of Ike Irish out of Auburn. Irish, a Michigan native, is coming off the season with 19 home runs at Auburn.

“College hitters develop quickly enough that position is worth considering, and whether the Red Sox believe they are set at catcher long-term with Carlos Narvaez remains to be seen. Boston did, however, have big plans for 2023 first-rounder Kyle Teel before he was sent to the White Sox in the Garrett Crochet trade, and Irish could be one way to fill the void,” they wrote.

“The Auburn slugger hit .364 with 19 home runs and a 1.179 OPS this season, showcasing improved power. While he could be an outfielder long-term, Irish's bat should make him an option in this range of the first round.”

With a 1.179 OPS, 19 home runs, 58 RBIs, and much more in the SEC, Irish proved to be one of the premier catchers in the country throughout the college season.

He’d fit in well with Boston, but Narvaez has been so good that it might be better to go with a different player, despite the draft typically not being a way to improve at certain positions.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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