Catcher Huntzinger focusing on defence in first spring training with Jays

Toronto Blue Jays catching prospect Jerry Huntzinger makes a throw during spring training. Huntzinger is entering his first full season with the Blue Jays after signing with them as a free agent last July following the MLB draft. Photo: Jacob White

March 26, 2023

By Jacob White

Centennial Sports Journalism

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Catcher Jerry Huntzinger knows his best work comes from his defence.

To play the position correctly, he believes the essential factors include effectively communicating with the pitcher, building a healthy relationship with them, managing the flow of the game, and being strong behind home plate.

"My big thing is always defence because without defence, there's really no point for me to be a catcher," he said before morning workouts at the Blue Jays facility. "I just want to steal as many strikes as possible and make my pitchers look good."

Huntzinger, born in Staten Island, N.Y., played four seasons for the Seton Hall Pirates in South Orange, N.J., before playing his last collegiate season at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Despite his previously stated emphasis on defence, he led Xavier in walks, runs, hits and led the Big East in stolen bases last year. For his efforts, he was named to the All-Big East First Team.

Huntzinger was signed as a free agent by the Blue Jays on July 29, 2022, following the MLB draft. For him, the choice to sign with the Blue Jays was easy.

"I was a grad student out of college so I didn't have many options to work with," he said. "So when I got that call, it was like Christmas in fricking August."

In his brief time with the Blue Jays organization, the 24-year-old said he has grown to enjoy the facilities in Dunedin and loves the atmosphere associated with being part of the team.

"I mean, this place is unbelievable," he said. "When you come here, it's home. You can't ask for a better place to play at. I mean, we're representing a full country and they make sure we're hooked up the best here. It doesn't really compare to any other place around."

Last season, he played sparingly in both the Florida Complex League and with the Dunedin Blue Jays in Low-A ball. In 20 at-bats, he had a .100 batting average with two hits.

Coming into this year's spring training, and his first full season in the pros, Huntzinger sees an excellent opportunity for success and wants to take advantage with some specific goals set out for himself, including having a team ERA under 4.00 and limiting his strikeouts.

"Spring training is going well," he said. "I came here early and camp has been fun. I put in a lot of work in the offseason and at this point, I'm really just ready to go for the season."