The Mariners signed catcher Jacob Nottingham to a minor league contract earlier this month, in keeping with his transaction log on MLB.com. This might be his fourth stint with the group.
Nottingham is a real journeyman, having frolicked in seven totally different MLB organizations all through knowledgeable profession that spans greater than a decade. He was drafted by the Astros, who traded him to the Athletics two years later as a part of a bundle for starter Scott Kazmir. The next offseason, the A’s flipped him to the Brewers as a part of the return for slugger Khris Davis.
It was with Milwaukee that Nottingham made his MLB debut. He performed a handful of video games for the Brewers yearly between 2018-21, producing a decent .770 OPS and 103 wRC+ in 99 journeys to the plate. His seven dwelling runs and .273 remoted energy have been significantly spectacular, particularly for a catcher. On the opposite facet of the ball, he appeared in 36 video games behind the dish, compiling 2 Defensive Runs Saved and a +2 Fielding Run Worth. Regardless of the tiny pattern measurement, these defensive numbers have been encouraging. Nottingham was at all times thought-about a bat-first catching prospect with critical questions on his protection behind the dish.
The backstop turned a Mariner in April 2021, though his first stint with the membership was short-lived. Seattle claimed Nottingham off of waivers on April 28 solely to designate him for project and commerce him again to Milwaukee on Could 2. Nevertheless, the M’s claimed him once more a few weeks later, and this time, he caught round within the group for the remainder of the season. He appeared in 10 video games with the Mariners, although he solely appeared as a primary baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter – by no means as a catcher. Sadly, Nottingham carried out poorly, going 3-for-26 with 12 strikeouts. He spent a lot of the remainder of the 2021 season on the injured checklist at Triple-A.
Nottingham has not made it again to the majors since 2021. From 2022-23, he performed within the minors with the Orioles, Mariners, Giants, and Nationals, placing up a .745 OPS and a 91 wRC+. He then spent the 2024 marketing campaign enjoying within the Mexican League. He’ll now return to affiliated ball, re-joining a corporation that clearly likes what he brings to the desk. In his age-30 season, Nottingham can present catching depth for Seattle behind Cal Raleigh, Mitch Garver, Nick Raposo, and prime prospect Harry Ford. The Mariners are recognized to be searching for a right-handed bat this winter, and Nottingham affords depth in that space as properly.
