MLB Network Ranks Red Sox Rookie Among Position’s Top-10 Players
This spring, not even the Boston Red Sox likely envisioned this breakout star standing among his position’s top performers.
The Red Sox made several major splashes when acquiring Garrett Crochet, Alex Bregman and Aroldis Chapman, but plucking Narváez from the New York Yankees may go down as their savviest move. The rookie catcher has put his name on the map by batting .269/.342/.435 with stellar defense behind the plate.
Although Narváez narrowly missed an All-Star invite, MLB Network recognized the 26-year-old on Monday. “MLB Now” revealed its midseason top-10 catcher rankings courtesy of its often divisive “The Shredder.”
Narváez places No. 7 on a list naturally led by Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh. William Contreras, Will Smith, Alejandro Kirk, Sean Murphy and Adley Rutschman also rank above the rising Red Sox star.
The panel didn’t all agree with Narváez’s placement. Former catcher Anthony Recker explained why he ranked Narváez third behind Raleigh and Smith.
“He has been fantastic. He is one of the best defensive catchers in the game right now,” Recker said. “The way he’s played so far this year, I would argue that the resurgence we have seen from (Boston) … a lot of that revolves around a guy like this really starting to get his hands on these pitchers and starting to make some difference.”
Based solely on 2025 results, Narváez probably justifies a top-five spot over the struggling Contreras and Rutschman. Contreras has six home runs with a league-average 100 wRC+, and Rutschman reportedly has the Baltimore Orioles wondering about his long-term future amid a prolonged slump dating back to last year’s All-Star break.
However, Contreras and Rutschman respectively ranked first and second in MLB Network’s preseason top 10. At the time, Narváez had zero extra-base hits in 15 career plate appearances for the Yankees, who traded him to their American League East rival for a minor league pitcher.
Perhaps Narváez can move up next year’s preseason rankings if he backs up his unexpected ascendance with a strong second half.