St. Louis Cardinals Sign 2 Free Agents, 1 with Big Potential

Eric Fryer

Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The 30-year-old Ohio native, who hales from St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny‘s hometown of Reynoldsburg just outside of Columbus, gives the organization more catching depth. And that’s a good thing given Yadier Molina‘s advancing age. The future Hall-of-Famer is still just 33, but catchers are like dogs. They age faster than the rest of us do.

With his move to the St. Louis Cardinals, Fryer wins an opportunity to take over as Molina’s back-up. Don’t hold your breath. Since the Milwaukee Brewers drafted him out of Ohio State in the 10th round in 2007, the 6-2, 240-lb. backstop has hit just .243 with 40 homers over nine minor league seasons. His best with the bat was his first full year in pro ball, when he hit .335 at the low-A level in 2008. Last year, he hit .293 with a couple of homers and 19 RBI in 222 at-bats at triple-A Rochester.

Fryer has played for four other big league organizations now, including the Brewers. He spent a half season with the New York Yankees before being shipped to the Pittsburgh Pirates for reserve infielder Eric Hinske and cash in 2009. The Twins signed him to a minor league deal in 2012, and he’s been ping-ponging between triple-A and the big leagues ever since.

Although the Twins and Pirates have used him exclusively at catcher for the last two seasons, Fryer does have minor league experience at the corner outfield spots and first base.

Next: Juan Gonzalez