As relief pitchers warm up in the bullpen before entering a game, a Bullpen Catcher serves as the primary catcher for a team’s personnel. Even when the normal catcher is still changing back into his catcher’s gear after his previous half-inning appearances, they can function as the active pitcher’s catchers between innings.
It is not uncommon for bullpen catchers to wear an official team uniform, although they are not considered coaches by the league. Bullpen catchers became more common in baseball during the 1980s when most clubs dropped their third catcher from their lineups.
It was customary for the bullpen coach to help warm up relievers when a team needed a second catcher (for example, when a club has to warm up both a right and a lefthander).
As the costs of competing in the major leagues continued to climb, most clubs realized that it would be beneficial to recruit someone, particularly for the purpose of carrying out these responsibilities.
Nowadays, every single team in the Major Leagues employs either one or two catchers just for the bullpen.
How Much do Bullpen Catchers Make?
It is estimated that professional major league bullpen catchers make somewhere between $60,000-$110,000 per year.
As the costs of competing in the major leagues continued to climb, most clubs realized that it would be beneficial to recruit someone, particularly for the purpose of carrying out these responsibilities.
Nowadays, every single team in the Major Leagues employs either one or two catchers just for the bullpen.
