MLB Rankings: Top 5 Blue Jays Catchers of All-Time

The Toronto Blue Jays have enjoyed a long line of top catchers since their inauguration into MLB, back in 1977. This article focuses on the top 5 catchers to ever play for the team, as ranked by our experts. Let’s get started.

#5 Darrin Fletcher (1998-2002)

Fletcher came to the Jays during the latter part of this career, finishing his 14 years in the league with five in Toronto. His best year with the Blue Jays came in 2000, where he hit .320/.355/.514 over 122 games with a career-high 20 homers. Among Jays’ catchers all-time he ranks 3rd in WAR (Wins Above Replacement), 3rd in games played, 3rd in home runs and 4th in defensive runs.

#4 Gregg Zaun (2004-2008)

Gregg Zaun was known for traveling all around Major League Baseball before finding a home for five seasons with the Blue Jays between 2004-2008. It was his most productive years in the league, hitting .255/.354/.399 with 45 home runs and 219 RBIs in this period. During his career Zaun had a 24% caught stealing average and .987 fielding percentage as a catcher.

#3 Pat Borders (1988-94 & 1999)

While Borders’ numbers don’t pop out off the page, his commitment to the Blue Jays organization and rise through the ranks make him one of the stand out catchers in the team’s history. His performance in the 1992 World Series will always be remembered, as he crushed .450/.500/.750 against the Atlanta Braves to help Toronto lift its first ever championship.

In total Borders spent eight seasons with the Jays, slashing .256/.290/.388, which included 54 home runs and 272 RBIs.

#2 Russel Martin (2015-2018)

Russel Martin had already made a name for himself as a member of the LA Dodgers before joining the Blue Jays in 2015. The four-time All-Star earned one gold glove award, one silver slugger, and MVP shares in three seasons.

Martin was a .248/.349/.397 hitter, and collected 1,416 hits and 191 home runs during his MLB career. Where he really excelled however was on the defensive end, holding a career fielding percentage of .993 as a catcher and throwing out 365 runners attempting to steal.

#1 Ernie Whitt (1977-1989)

Ernie Whitt played over 1200 games for the Blue Jays, as the primary catching option throughout most of the 80s. Whitt was an AL All-Star in 1985, which was the same season he was able to help lead the Jays to their first ALCS. 

Whitt had career batting averages of .249/.324/.410 with 934 hits and 134 home runs.  His .991 career fielding percentage as a catcher is one of the highest in franchise history and he holds the record for the most gunned down runners caught stealing at 347. 

Whitt was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.

For more MLB rankings and lists check out The Blue Jays’ Best Center Fielders All-Time and The 3 Greatest Blue Jays Pitchers of All-Time.