James McCann DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Free-agent catcher James McCann and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a minor-league deal on Monday, a source tells FanSided's Robert Murray. McCann will provide the Braves with additional catching depth to start the 2025 season with Sean Murphy (rib) starting the year on the injured list with a fractured rib on his left side. Catching prospect Drake Baldwin is expected to start behind the dish early on, with Chadwick Tromp backing him up. The 34-year-old McCann will most likely begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett as the team's No. 3 option should anything happen to Baldwin or Tromp. The former second-rounder by the Detroit Tigers in 2011 out of the University of Arkansas is basically a backup at this point in his career after hitting .234/.279/.388 with eight home runs and 31 RBI in 233 trips to the plate over 65 games in 2024 with Baltimore. McCann hasn't played in over 100 games since 2021 with the Mets.

Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and three total RBI on Tuesday as the O's beat the New York Mets 9-5. Serving primarily as the team's backup catcher, McCann has had an up-and-down season in 2024 after dealing with multiple injuries (left ankle and oblique sprains). In 53 games (168 at-bats), he is slashing .226/.277/.339 with four homers and 19 RBI. At this point in the season, McCann does not have much fantasy value -; he may only possibly serve as a streamer in deep leagues.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde (nose) said that the team suspects that catcher James McCann (nose) suffered a broken nose in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Monday against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. McCann is going for a CT scan. The 34-year-old backup catcher was hit in the face by a pitch from right-hander Yariel Rodriguez in the first inning on Monday and was bleeding quite a bit from his nose. He surprisingly stayed in for the entire game and finished the contest 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. However, if his CT scan confirms what the Orioles think, McCann will likely go on the 10-day injured list. If McCann goes on the IL, the O's could bring up Blake Hunt to serve as Adley Rutschman's backup. McCann entered the day with a .216 average (30-for-139) with just three homers and 14 RBI in 2024 in limited playing time.