This is Jacob Nottingham’s fifth stint with the Mariners organization and while he’s only a depth option he does offer some familiarity.
The Seattle Mariners are undoubtedly set behind the plate with the best catcher in the game, with Cal Raleigh coming off the best offensive season in Major League history at the position. Yes his defense wasn’t as stellar as in 2024 when he won his first Platinum Glove, but he’s going to be better in this area this coming season just by virtue of his insatiable appetite to always improve.
We’ll admit we still don’t like that top catching prospect Harry Ford was traded to the Washington Nationals, even allowing for the fact it was done to acquire Jose A. Ferrer to strengthen the bullpen. As things stand offseason addition Andrew Knizner is second on the depth chart at the position, while Jhonny Pereda is also on the 40-man roster.
Luke Stevenson represents the future as the Mariners’ top catching prospect, after they selected him in the first round of last year’s draft. Meanwhile, Mitch Garver surprisingly re-signed on a minor league deal with a spring training invite despite two poor seasons in Seattle, but could have an impact because of his past success and being familiar with the pitching staff.
Welcome back Jacob Nottingham
On the subject of familiarity, the Mariners have also reunited with another catcher from last season, in Jacob Nottingham. The signing was confirmed on his official MLB.com transaction log, with him agreeing to a minor league deal on Sunday.
This is technically Nottingham’s fifth stint with the Mariners organization despite playing for them last year, due to electing for free agency during the offseason. He first played for them in 2021, which incidentally is also the last time he actually saw action in the majors as he appeared in 10 games for the M’s.
Overall the Redlands, California native has played 53 combined games in the majors including his time with the Milwaukee Brewers, over a four-year period between 2018-2021. He has a career .184 batting average, although his .421 slugging percentage indicates he did some damage when he actually make contact with the ball.
Irrespective, Nottingham isn’t going to make it back to the majors this season barring an apocalyptic injury breakout behind the plate for the Mariners. Instead he will be playing in the minors for the organization, with him last year appearing in 17 games for Triple-A Tacoma in between six stints on the Development List.
In all, the 30-year-old has played 11 seasons in the minors and appeared in 717 games, producing a career .246/.327/.410 slash line and .737 OPS. He was originally selected in the sixth round of the 2013 draft by the Houston Astros and also spent time with the Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals.
Photos courtesy of Tim Rogers Photography
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