Refining Defense Is Mets Catcher Kevin Parada’s Top Goal

But Parada’s biggest strides were defensive, according to Mets assistant farm director Andrew Christie.

Framing and throwing were the two targeted areas of improvement for Parada, who signed for $5.019 million. He threw out just 28 of 157 basestealers (18%) in 2023.

“He got a lot of money. He was a first-round pick. But he does work quite hard,” Christie said. “We said (defense) was an area where we could get him better, and he was all in and put in the work that was needed. He bought into what we were saying.”

Once Parada became more comfortable with his pitch framing, attention turned toward his throwing. Parada, according to Christie, gained about 3 mph on his throws as the season progressed.

“He just had a really solid routine on a daily basis,” Christie said. “Our instructors introduced some different kind of drills that were meant to get his body in different positions to throw down to second and third (base)—and occasionally to first—more effectively and it was real strides.”

The organization was pleased with the power Parada displayed. Overall, it has left team officials excited about the possibility of a future Alvarez-Parada tandem behind the plate, potentially fortifying a difficult-to-develop position.

“You have seen in the big leagues, there are times now you can have two real high-quality catchers—you have seen the Braves do it,” Christie said. “You can have two very high-quality catchers on the same team and have a lot of success there.

“That is certainly something we think is very possible with Kevin. He’s got a real chance to be that guy.”