The Mariners signed a catcher Jacob Nottingham to a minor league contract earlier this month, according to his transaction log on MLB.com. This will be his fourth time working in this organization.
Nottingham is a true journeyman, having spent time in seven different MLB organizations throughout a professional career spanning more than a decade. He was drafted by the Astros, who traded him to the Athletics two years later as part of a first round package. Scott Kazmir. The following season, the A’s traded him to the Brewers as part of the slugger’s return. Chris Davis.
It was in Milwaukee that Nottingham made his MLB debut. He played a handful of games for the Brewers every year between 2018-21, producing a respectable .770 OPS and 103 wRC+ in 99 trips to the plate. His seven home runs and .273 singles power were pretty impressive, especially for a catcher. On the other side of the ball, he appeared in 36 games behind the plate, including 2 Defensive Runs Saved and a +2 Fielding Run Value. Despite the small sample size, those defensive numbers were encouraging. Nottingham was always regarded as a prospect to bat first with serious questions about his defense behind the bowl.
The backstop became a Mariner in April 2021, although his first time with the club was short-lived. Seattle claimed Nottingham off waivers on April 28 in order to designate him for assignment and send him back to Milwaukee on May 2. However, the M’s claimed him again a few weeks later, and this time, he stuck with the organization for the rest of the season. He appeared in 10 games with the Mariners, though he appeared only as first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter – never making a hit. Unfortunately, Nottingham did poorly, going 3-for-26 with 12 hits. He spent most of the 2021 season on the Triple-A injured list.
Nottingham has not returned to the majors since 2021. From 2022-23, he played in the minors with the Orioles, Mariners, Giants, and Nationals, posting a .745 OPS and 91 wRC+. He then spent the 2024 campaign playing in the Mexican League. Now he will return to association football, rejoining an organization that clearly likes what he brings to the table. In his 30-year-old season, Nottingham could provide depth in Seattle’s backfield Raleigh, Mitch Garver, Nick Raposoand high hopes Harry Ford. The Mariners are known to be looking for a right-handed bat this winter, and Nottingham offers depth in that area as well.
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