Jacob Tyler Realmuto^[1] (/riːlmjuːtoʊ/reel-MEW-toh;^[2] born March 18, 1991) is an American professionalbaseballcatcher for thePhiladelphia Phillies ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theMiami Marlins.

J. T. Realmuto
Realmuto with thePhiladelphia Phillies in 2024
Philadelphia Phillies – No. 10
Catcher
Born: (1991-03-18)March 18, 1991 (age 34) Del City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 5, 2014, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics (through April 8, 2025)
Batting average	.272
Hits	1,242
Home runs	168
Runs batted in	628
Stats atBaseball Reference
Teams
Miami Marlins (2014–2018) Philadelphia Phillies (2019–present)
Career highlights and awards
3×All-Star (2018,2019,2021) 2×All-MLB First Team (2019, 2022) All-MLB Second Team (2020) 2×Gold Glove Award (2019, 2022) 3×Silver Slugger Award (2018, 2019, 2022)
Medals Men'sbaseball Representing United States World Baseball Classic 2023 Miami Team

Realmuto was born inDel City, Oklahoma, into an athletic family. He played various sports as he grew up, helping both the baseball andgridiron football teams ofCarl Albert High School win state championship titles. Although he served as the baseball team'sshortstop throughout his high school career, ascout for the Miami Marlins encouraged Realmuto to become a full-time catcher. The Marlins selected him in the third round of the2010 MLB Draft, and Realmuto chose to sign with the team rather than honor a commitment to playingcollege baseball atOklahoma State. He spent the next several seasons in the Marlins'farm system, building strong relationships with pitchers and working onpicking off attemptedbase stealers.

After starting catcherJarrod Saltalamacchia suffered a concussion, Realmuto made his MLB debut in June 2014. His major league appearances were brief until 2015, when Saltalamacchia wasdesignated for assignment and Realmuto replaced him as the Marlins' starting catcher. Realmuto's strength and speed, both as a catcher and batter, helped take him to his firstAll-Star appearance in 2018. That same year, Realmuto won his firstSilver Slugger Award.

The Marlins traded Realmuto to the Phillies in February 2019, and he received his second All-Star and Silver Slugger awards that year. Additionally, Realmuto received his first careerGold Glove Award for his performance in the 2019 season. When he became a free agent after the 2020 season, Realmuto's Phillies teammates and fans began using the phrase "Sign J. T." to pressure the Phillies into signing him to another contract. In January 2021, Realmuto and the Phillies agreed to a five-year, $115.5 million contract, the largest for any catcher in MLB history.

Realmuto was born on March 18, 1991, inDel City, Oklahoma.^[3] His father playedcollege baseball forSouthwest Missouri State, while his older sisters Ryan and Amanda were collegesoftballcatchers forOklahoma State andNorthwestern State, respectively.^[4] Additionally, Realmuto's uncle,John Smith, was a two-timeOlympic gold medal wrestler.^[3] Because his father David was often busy coaching his older sisters' softball teams, Realmuto's mother Margaret often drove him to hisLittle League Baseball games and various other sporting matches.^[5] Realmuto was a multi-sport athlete throughout his childhood: he began playing baseball at the age of five and started wrestling the next year. In fourth grade, he started playing basketball andgridiron football, and he briefly playedtennis in middle school.^[6]

Between 2006 and 2010, Realmuto was a three-sport athlete forCarl Albert High School inMidwest City, Oklahoma. He served as theshortstop for the baseball team, thequarterback for the football team, and apower forward for the basketball team.^[7] During Realmuto's high school tenure, both the Carl Albert baseball and football teams won their respective state championships.^[4] As a senior in 2010, Realmuto set a national high school baseball record by recording 119runs batted in (RBIs) in 42games played during one season.^[6] Hisbatting average for the season was .595, and he had 21home runs, 22doubles, and 88hits.^[8] At the end of the year, theAmerican Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) named Realmuto their National Player of the Year, and he received All-American team selections from both the ABCA andLouisville Slugger.^[9] Realmuto also received the Bob Colon Scholarship, presented annually byThe Oklahoman and theJim Thorpe Association to the top male high school scholar-athlete in the greaterOklahoma City area.^[6]

Although he primarily served as the team's shortstop, Realmuto would occasionally catch for Carl Albert when their starting catcher was asked topitch.^[10] Steve Taylor, ascout for theMiami Marlins ofMajor League Baseball (MLB), attended a game where Realmuto was catching and told the player that he was more likely to play in MLB as a catcher than as a shortstop.^[4][11] The Marlins went on to select Realmuto in the third round, 104th overall, of the2010 MLB Draft.^[9] Although he had previously committed to play college baseball at Oklahoma State on an athletic scholarship, Realmuto chose to accept the Marlins' offer, which included a $700,000signing bonus.^[4][9] He was assigned to theGCL Marlins of theRookieGulf Coast League, where he batted .175 in 40at-bats, including two runs and four RBIs.^[12]

Prior to the2011 season, Marlinsfarm director Jim Fleming and scouting director Stan Meek pushedAndy Haines, then the manager of theClass AGreensboro Grasshoppers, to promote Realmuto to the team.^[13] He spentspring training working with Marlins catching instructorTim Cossins and was assigned to the Grasshoppers to start the season. Realmuto split time behind the plate with Wilfredo Gimenez, and when he was not catching, he would appear as adesignated hitter.^[11] He excelled both offensively and defensively in his 96 games with Greensboro; in addition to batting .287 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs, Realmuto successfullypicked off 42 percent of attemptedbase stealers. Realmuto also helped take the Grasshoppers to aSouth Atlantic League championship title, recording a critical RBI in the final round against theSavannah Sand Gnats.^[14]

The following season, both Realmuto and Haines were promoted to theClass A-AdvancedJupiter Hammerheads of theFlorida State League. There, Realmuto was paired with up-and-coming pitcherJosé Fernández, a partnership that the Marlins envisioned would form the backbone of their future major league roster.^[13] Realmuto was one of three Hammerheads named to the 2012 Florida State League All-Star Game, alongside outfieldersChristian Yelich andMarcell Ozuna. At the time, Realmuto had successfully picked off 37 percent of attempted base stealers and had allowed only threepassed balls.^[15] Realmuto finished the 2012 season with a .256 average in 499 at-bats, including eight home runs, 46 RBIs, and 63 runs scored.^[12] After the conclusion of theMinor League Baseball season, Realmuto, Yelich, and Hammerheads pitcherScott McGough were all selected to play for thePhoenix Desert Dogs of theArizona Fall League.^[16] In his 14 fall games, Realmuto batted .222 with one home run, four RBIs, and two runs scored.^[12]

Fernández and Realmuto's paths diverged in 2013, when the former was promoted to the major leagues and the latter was assigned to theDouble AJacksonville Suns. Realmuto's season was hindered by frequent clashes withpitching coach John Duffy over pitch calling.^[13] His relationship with his teammates was stronger;relief pitcherNick Wittgren praised the way in which Realmuto "makes pitchers feel comfortable".^[17] That year, Realmuto was one of nine Suns selected for theSouthern League showcase.^[18] He played in 106 games for Jacksonville in 2013, hitting .239 with five home runs and 39 RBIs.^[19] That November, Realmuto was added to the Marlins'40-man roster, in order to protect him from theRule 5 draft.^[20]

Coming into the 2014 season,Baseball America named Realmuto the No. 10 prospect in the Marlins organization, as well as the "best defensive catcher" in the system.^[21] While Realmuto's coaches in Jacksonville pushed for the catcher to make the major league roster at the start of 2014, the Marlins elected to make their offseason acquisitionJarrod Saltalamacchia, an MLB veteran, the team's starting catcher rather than promoting a prospect.^[13][17] Realmuto began the 2014 season at Double A, where his batting dramatically improved.^[13] For the week ending April 20, Realmuto was named the Southern League's Offensive Player of the Week after scoring 10 runs in three multi-hit games whilestriking out only once in the process.^[22] Rather than focusing on advancing to the Marlins, Realmuto spent the season prioritizing forming bonds with the Jacksonville pitchers, such asAndrew Heaney.^[23] He was selected to his third minor league All-Star Game but did not appear due to a promotion.^[24] Realmuto appeared in 97 minor league games in 2014, batting .299 with eight home runs, 62 RBIs, and 66 runs scored in 423 at-bats.^[12] After they helped Jacksonville win the Southern League championship in 2014, both Realmuto and pitcherJustin Nicolino were named Postseason All-Stars by the league.^[21] The batterymates were additionally named the Marlins' Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively.^[25]

Realmuto received his first major league call-up on June 1, 2014, when Saltalamacchia was placed on the 7-daydisabled list with aconcussion. Marlins managerMike Redmond told reporters that Realmuto was "the guy who, in the short term, we think [...] can come up and do a good job".^[26] Realmuto made his major league debut on June 5, recording three RBIs againstJake Odorizzi in an 11–6 rout of theTampa Bay Rays.^[27] He was sent back down to Jacksonville after only seven games, in which he had collected one run and five RBIs. Realmuto was briefly called back up to the Marlins for three days at the end of July, but he did not play a game. On September 13, 2014, following Jacksonville's Southern League championship victory, Realmuto was recalled to the Marlins' expanded roster.^[28] He appeared in 11 total major league games that season, batting .241 with nine RBIs and four runs.^[29]

Realmuto joined the Marlins for spring training in 2015 but was assigned to theTriple ANew Orleans Zephyrs to start the season. He spent three games there before being called up to replace an injuredJeff Mathis.^[10][30] Realmuto was meant to serve as a backup catcher to Saltalamacchia, with several opportunities to start behind the plate as Mathis waited four to six weeks for his fractured finger to heal.^[31] Saltalamacchia wasdesignated for assignment on April 27, following an extended offensive and defensive slump, and Realmuto was named the Marlins' starting catcher.^[32] He hit his first major league home run the following month, a two-run shot againstRubby De La Rosa in the seventh inning of a 3–2 loss to theArizona Diamondbacks on May 18, 2015.^[33] His first multi-home run game came on September 8, 2015, in a 6–4 win against theMilwaukee Brewers. The second home run of the night wasinside the park, making Realmuto the third player in Marlins history to score both an outside- and inside-the-park home run in the same game, and the second to hit an inside-the-park home run atMarlins Park.^[34] Realmuto batted .259 in his first full major league season, with 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 49 runs scored in 467 at-bats.^[12] In addition to setting the Marlins' rookie hit record with 114, Realmuto also recorded seventriples, the most by any first-year catcher since 1972.^[35] At the end of the season, Realmuto was named the Marlins' Rookie of the Year.^[36]

Although Realmuto excelled in making throws as a rookie, he led the league in errors worth 10, and he struggled with framing pitches, and he spent the 2015–16 offseason learning how best to move out-of-zone pitches to called strikes.^[37][38] He continued to maintain his offensive output into the start of the 2016 season, batting around .300 by mid-June. He was utilized in multiple positions within thebatting order, including seven games as aleadoff batter due toDee Gordon's suspension.^[35] His strong batting continued through the season, with a hitting streak of seven consecutiveat bats at the start of July, but Realmuto continued to struggle defensively, committing sevenerrors before theMLB All-Star break.^[39] He batted .303 for the season, with 11 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 60 runs scored in 545 at-bats for the Marlins.^[29]

With the offseason acquisition of backup catcherA. J. Ellis, the Marlins expressed interest in allowing Realmuto to play other positions during the2017 season, such asfirst base.^[40] He was named theNational League (NL) Player of the Week for the first week of the regular season after scoring six runs, including two home runs, in the first five games of the season.^[41] Later that year, Realmuto hit his second career inside-the-park home run, tying the game in an eventual 9–8 defeat of thePhiladelphia Phillies on August 24.^[42] On the defensive end, Realmuto continued to improve his speed in throwing out base runners. On April 27, he threw the fastest-recorded pickoff in MLB history, catchingOdúbel Herrera stealing in 1.38 seconds.^[43] Realmuto batted .278 in 2017, with 17 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 68 runs in 579 at-bats.^[29] At the end of the season, Realmuto won theJeff Conine Award, given annually by the Miami chapter of theBaseball Writers' Association of America to the player "whose commitment to the game is embodied in his integrity and unselfish play".^[44] TheMajor League Baseball Players Alumni Association, meanwhile, named Realmuto the 2017 recipient of the Marlins'Heart & Hustle Award, given to the player from each team "who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embod[ies] the values, spirit, and tradition of the game".^[45]

Realmuto began the2018 season on the disabled list after sustaining abone bruise on his lower back. He suffered the injury during a spring training game against theNew York Yankees, when he collided with Yankees second basemanGleyber Torres.^[46] He was activated on April 17, one of the few remaining veterans due to new Marlins ownerDerek Jeter's rebuilding process.^[47] Realmuto received his firstAll-Star Game selection in 2018, when he was the only Marlin selected by the league. He replacedChicago Cubs catcherWillson Contreras in the sixth inning of the game and walked twice against theAmerican League, but the NL lost in extra innings following a pair of back-to-back solo home runs from members of theHouston Astros.^[48] Realmuto finished the season with a .277 batting average, 21 home runs, 74 RBIs, and 74 runs scored in 531 at-bats.^[29] In addition to receiving his second consecutive Heart & Hustle award,^[49] Realmuto became the Marlins' Most Valuable Player in 2018.^[36] Realmuto was also the National League catcher selected for the 2018Silver Slugger Award, given to the best offensive player at each position.^[50]

During the offseason, Realmuto appeared in the2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series, scoring home runs in the second and third games of the series.^[51]Samurai Japan ultimately took the series in the sixth game.^[52]

At the arbitration deadline on January 11, 2019, Realmuto agreed to a $5.9 million contract with the Marlins, including bonuses for each All-Star selection, Silver Slugger, andGold Glove Award.^[53] However, in the fall of 2018, Realmuto and his agent had informed the Marlins that he would not sign a long-term contract with the team, and that he anticipated a trade. On February 7, 2019, the Marlins traded Realmuto to the Phillies in exchange for catcherJorge Alfaro, pitching prospectsSixto Sánchez andWill Stewart, and $250,000 in international bonus slot money.^[54] Realmuto replaced Alfaro as the Phillies' starting catcher, with veteranAndrew Knapp serving in the backup role.^[55] Realmuto received his second All-Star Game selection that year, again the only member of his team selected.^[56] He was shut down during the last week of the season for a minormeniscus surgery after sustaining a knee injury during a game against theCleveland Indians.^[57]

In 2019, Realmuto hit .275 with a career-high 25 home runs in a career-high 532 at bats. He also led all major league catchers with 83 RBIs, 90 runs, 144 hits, and 36 doubles.^[58] Defensively, he threw out 37 attempted base stealers, the most among major league catchers that season and the most of any Phillies catcher sinceDarren Daulton in 1993. Realmuto also logged the most innings of any catcher in 2019, starting 130 games and playing in1139+1⁄3 innings.^[57] On November 3, Realmuto won his first career Gold Glove, joiningBob Boone andMike Lieberthal as the third Phillies catcher to win the award.^[59] Four days later, he received his second Silver Slugger, becoming the first Phillies player to win the award sinceChase Utley ten years prior.^[60] Realmuto was also named to the first-everAll-MLB First Team that December, the only Phillies player selected for either All-MLB team in 2019.^[61]

When theCOVID-19 pandemic shortened the2020 MLB season to 60 games, Phillies management wanted to ensure that Realmuto remained healthy throughout the abbreviated season. Realmuto himself told reporters that he wanted to play in all 60 regular-season games that year and catch in at least 50.^[62] He was an early star in the Phillies' disappointing season; although the team posted a 5–9 record in their first 14 games, Realmuto collected eight home runs within the same span.^[63] It was the second time that an MLB catcher had collected eight home runs in the first 15 games of the season, followingGabby Hartnett's 1925 run with theChicago Cubs.^[1] Realmuto remained healthy until September 12, when he exited a game against the Miami Marlins with hip discomfort. The timing of the injury left the Phillies without their primary catcher just before a stretch of 14 games in 11 days.^[64] He was diagnosed with a strained hip flexor, and he missed 10 games with the injury before returning on September 22 for a game against the Nationals.^[65] Realmuto batted .266 in 47 games that season, with 11 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 33 runs scored in 195 at-bats.^[29]

With the knowledge that Realmuto was on track to become afree agent at the end of the 2020 season, both Phillies fans and teammates began using the phrase "Sign J. T." to pressure managers into offering him a new contract.^[66][67] The push began in July 2020, during the Phillies' summer camp. After Realmuto hit a two-run home run during ascrimmage, outfielderBryce Harper yelled "sign him" to the front office.^[68] Harper continued to push the Phillies to re-sign Realmuto throughout the season; after the final game of the season, he told reporters that, "Realmuto needs to be our catcher next year – plain and simple."^[69] RelieverArchie Bradleytweeted, "#SignJT" immediately after he himself signed with the Phillies.^[70] Although fans were not allowed insideCitizens Bank Park due to restrictions imposed by theCOVID-19 pandemic, many would stand outside the ballpark gates to chant, "Sign J. T.".^[67] Realmuto officially became a free agent on November 11, 2020, when he declined the Phillies' one-year, $18.9 million qualifying offer.^[71] Three months later, on January 29, 2021, Realmuto agreed to a five-year, $115.5 million contract with the Phillies, the largest ever contract offered to a major league catcher.^[72]

Realmuto fractured his thumb on February 18, 2021, the first day of spring training, when he attempted to block acurveball by new relieverJosé Alvarado.^[73] He did not return to spring training until a March 23Grapefruit League game against theToronto Blue Jays, in which he hit a home run during his first at bat.^[74] Realmuto suffered another injury that May, ultimately missing 11 games after awild pitch fromDavid Hale caused abone bruise on his left hand.^[75] Realmuto hit his 100th major league home run on June 6, driving in three runs againstTanner Rainey in the sixth inning of a 12–6 victory over theWashington Nationals.^[76] Despite going through what Realmuto called "one of the worst slumps of [his] career", he was one of two Phillies, alongsideZack Wheeler, to be named to the2021 All-Star Game. As there was no game in the 2020 season, this was Realmuto's third selection in a row.^[77] AfterSan Francisco Giants catcherBuster Posey went on the disabled list shortly before the July 13 game, Realmuto was named the starting catcher for the National League team.^[78] In addition to catching, Realmuto hit a solo home run againstGregory Soto of theDetroit Tigers in the fifth inning of the game; it was the first home run by a Phillies player in an All-Star game sinceMike Schmidt in 1981, and Realmuto's first hit in any of his All-Star appearances.^[79]

Realmuto finished the 2021 season hitting .263/.343/.439 with 17 home runs, 73 RBIs, and a career-high 48 walks, 129 strikeouts, and 13 stolen bases in 134 games, and he led the NL with 118 games at catcher. He had the fastest sprint speed of all major league catchers, at 28.8 feet/second.^[80]

In 2022, Realmuto slashed .276/.342/.478 in 504 at bats with 75 runs, 22 home runs, and 84 RBIs, as well as 21 stolen bases on 22 attempts.^[37] In game 4 of the2022 National League Division Series, against theAtlanta Braves, Realmuto became the first ever Phillies player, and first ever catcher, to hit an inside the park homerun in the postseason.^[81] In Game 1 of the2022 World Series, against theHouston Astros, Realmuto hit a go-ahead game winninghome run in the top of the 10th inning.^[82] Realmuto went on to win his third Silver Slugger and second Gold Glove award following the season.^[83][84]

On June 12, 2023, Realmutohit for the cycle against the Diamondbacks, becoming the first Phillies player to accomplish the feat sinceDavid Bell in 2004.^[85]

On June 11, 2024, Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski made the announcement that Realmuto is scheduled to undergo right knee meniscectomy surgery on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Philadelphia. He was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Monday, June 10, 2024, with right knee pain.^[86]

Realmuto has been referred to bysports journalists, baseball coaches and managers, and his teammates as the "best catcher in baseball".^[13] The phrase began during the 2018 season, whenFanGraphs andBaseball Prospectus both placed Realmuto at No. 1 among all MLB catchers inWins Above Replacement.^[87] Phillies managerJoe Girardi referred to Realmuto as "the best catcher in baseball" during spring training in 2020,^[88] whileSt. Louis Cardinals catcherYadier Molina told theMiami Herald in 2018 that, "As a catcher you observe other catchers in this league and you see the way he plays. J.T. has got it all."^[89] Phillies pitchersZack Wheeler andChase Anderson, meanwhile, both toldThe Philadelphia Inquirer that the opportunity to pitch to Realmuto was part of their decision to sign with the Phillies.^[90]

Defensively, Realmuto has stood out for his speed and accuracy. During the 2018 season, he had the fastestpop time in the league, taking an average time of 1.86 seconds to receive a ball from a pitcher and attempt to throw out a base runner. Although pop time has been criticized by somesabermetrics analysts for not considering accuracy of throws, Realmuto also led all major league catchers incaught stealing rate, picking off 44 percent of attempted base runners.^[87] That same year, he had the second-highest arm strength among all major league catchers, making throws at an average of 87.8 mph (141.3 km/h), second to former Phillies catcherJorge Alfaro. In addition to making throws, Realmuto was a successful backstop for pitchers, blocking 90.5 percent of all potentialwild pitches during the 2018 season.^[91]

Offensively, Realmuto has also been successful. During the 2018 season, his batting average was 57 points higher than the average among MLB catchers. Additionally, hisslugging percentage was 63 points higher, while hison-base plus slugging was 30 points higher than average.^[91] While his strikeout and walk rates have not significantly changed throughout his baseball career, Realmuto has steadily improved at hitting the ball harder and higher, cutting his ground-ball rate from 49 to 43 percent between 2016 and 2018.^[87] He also has a fastersprint speed than the average MLB player. While the average sprint speed on an offensive play is 27 feet per second (8.2 m/s), and 25 feet per second (7.6 m/s) for catchers, Realmuto's has consistently hovered between 28.6 and 28.8 feet per second (8.7 and 8.8 m/s) since his first full MLB season.^[91]

As Realmuto has gotten older, Phillies management has started focusing on how to prolong his career. He turned 30 before the start of the2021 MLB season, a point at which many major league catchers begin to experience a downturn in productivity and increased injury.^[92] During the offseason, Realmuto engages in a daily weight training regimen, meant to maintain his strength and health when he is not actively catching.^[93]

Realmuto is of Italian descent.^[94] He married his wife, Alexis Taylor, on November 4, 2017.^[1] The couple's first child, a daughter, was born on July 10, 2018, shortly before Realmuto's first All-Star appearance.^[89] Their second daughter was born on July 11, 2019.^[95] The Realmutos' first son was born in November 2021, with their second son being born in March 2023.^[96][97]

During the baseball season, the Realmutos reside inHaddonfield, New Jersey;^[98] in the offseason, they have a house inOklahoma City.^[99] Realmuto and his wife areChristians.^[100]

Realmuto and his family are close friends withBryce Harper, who was acquired by the Phillies around the same time as Realmuto.^[101] Harper began to admire Realmuto shortly after they were drafted, as the Marlins' rivals in theNL East were Harper's original team, theWashington Nationals.^[102] Realmuto is also friends withMilwaukee Brewers outfielderChristian Yelich, who was selected by the Marlins during the same draft as Realmuto.^[103]

In 2019, Realmuto and pitcherAaron Nola were selected as the Phillies representatives forGarth Brooks' "Home Plate Project", an organization designed to fight childhood hunger.^[104] Both players were unable to travel with the Phillies to Canada to play against the Toronto Blue Jays because they were unvaccinated.^[105]

• Career statistics fromMLB, orESPN, orBaseball Reference, orFangraphs, orBaseball Reference (Minors), orRetrosheet
• Jacob Realmuto onTwitter