Delay finds himself right back where he was last spring

BRADENTON, Fla. – Jason Delay let out a chuckle before stating the obvious.

“It’s the same story every year.”

The Pirates opened Spring Training by making clear that there was an open competition for the second catching job alongside veteran Yasmani Grandal, who signed as a free agent in February. Delay was in the same spot last year, when he edged out Tyler Heineman in a spring battle for the backup catcher spot. It looked like the right call, as Delay provided solid defense and was worth 1.1 fWAR in a limited role.

But this year’s competition extended beyond just one competitor, and the pool of contenders included 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis. It’s safe to say Davis rose to the organization’s challenge, showing vastly improved glovework behind the plate while also posting a .306 batting average and four home runs offensively. While it was never official, it was hard to envision the Pirates sending him down to the Minors to start the season after a performance like that.

That put Delay and Ali Sánchez seemingly on the outside looking in as spring progressed. However, Grandal has been sidelined with plantar fasciitis and has not appeared in a Major League spring game since Feb. 27. He’s catching and hitting three times a week in the Minor League camp at Pirate City, but he has not run yet. That’s put his Opening Day status in question.

If Grandal isn’t able to go come March 28 when the Pirates take on the Marlins, that could open the door for Delay. Nothing is guaranteed, but it does present Delay another chance to break camp with the team.

“If my name’s called, I’ll certainly be ready,” Delay said.

It’s just another year, another competition for Delay, who has spent a good chunk of his career right on the line. He nearly hung up the cleats in 2022, but injuries in the Majors gave him a crack in the big leagues. He made the most of it, hanging on to his spot the second half of 2022 and then for almost all of 2023.

“I think it keeps me sharp,” Delay said about performing through those competitions. “I really try to not think about everyone else too much and just focus on myself.”

So far this spring, Delay has gone 4-for-22 at the plate (.182 average) with two doubles and two RBIs. A lot of his value isn’t necessarily seen on the back of a baseball card, though. Going by Baseball Savant’s data, he saved four runs through pitch framing, while Fielding Bible’s data credited him with two defensive runs saved, despite a limited sample size. He also became a good voice in the catcher room and was praised for how he called a game.

The Pirates adding Grandal this winter was not an indictment on Delay, but rather the team wanting to bolster their catching depth. Since Delay has Minor League options remaining, not making the team does not close the door on his time with the Pirates. It’s safe to assume regardless of what happens with Grandal on Opening Day, Delay will spend time in the Majors this year.

But right now, being in this spot where he has to earn his keep has made him oddly comfortable.

“I’m comfortable in that role where I’m not necessarily the favorite or whatever it may be,” Delay said. “But at the same time, I’ve earned a lot of respect in this locker room from the staff. I take a lot of pride in that, so I’m comfortable in this role. I’ve embraced it at this point.”