📌 Join the BPCrew Chapter in your city and meet up with more Yankees fans! 👉 CLICK HERE
(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

What you need to know: Brian McCann

(Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

The Yankees first big move in the offseason is the acquisition of slugging catcher Brian McCann. He was signed to a five-year deal worth $85 million with a possibility for a sixth year.

Coming from the National League, some New York Yankees and American League fans are not too aware of what the next catcher in pinstripes has done in his career.

  • The 29-year-old McCann will turn 30 in February.
  • He has spent his entire nine-year career on the Atlanta Braves.
  • Participated in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. (Team USA)
  • He is a seven-time All-Star.
  • He is a five-time Silver Slugger winner.
  • In five of his eight full seasons in the majors, McCann finished in the top three catchers in the league in home runs (leading the league in two of the seasons). His career-high in home runs is 24 (2006, 2011)
  • In seven of his eight full seasons in the majors, McCann has finished the season with a below league average caught stealing percentage.

McCann had surgery on his left shoulder that could have accounted for his career-low .230 batting average in 2011. This shoulder injury has no impact on his throwing or defensive abilities. He has spent his entire career as a catcher. Since 2009, McCann did get to see some time as the designated hitter during interleague and is expected to see some time as the designated hitter during his tenure in the American League.

When you see the offensive contributions with average defense behind the plate, the name that comes to mind is the fan favorite Jorge Posada. While there are some obvious differences like Posada being a switch hitter and Brian McCann being a left-handed batter, the style of play is similar. They are both high energy, highly competitive players that know how to put a hurt on a baseball.

As you’ll see in the next image, Brian McCann is clearly a pull hitter. I’m sure he can expect shifts from the likes of Joe Maddon and John Farrell amidst his five years in the AL East.

Brian McCann 2013 spray chart (via FanGraphs)

The upside of McCann’s new home in Yankee Stadium can speak for itself. But as you see in this stadium overlay, we can expect that 24 home runs will not be the career-high for this All-Star.

Turner Field/Yankee Stadium (via ESPN Home Run Tracker)

Welcome to the Bronx, Brian McCann. Right field second deck, get your gloves ready.