The Detroit Tigers were quick off the mark in the offseason, reaching out to catcher Brian Serven early on. For Serven, a seasoned player with 101 MLB games under his belt over three years, joining the Tigers wasn’t a decision taken lightly. He embarked on a mission to thoroughly understand the organization, connecting with fellow players to gain insights into the team’s trajectory, the player experience in Detroit, and the coaching staff’s emphasis on defensive skills for catchers.
“Everyone I spoke to was enthusiastic about the direction the Tigers are heading and praised the organization,” Serven remarked, drawing comparisons from his experiences with two other MLB teams. “It became clear that the Tigers place a significant value on defense, especially at the catching position.”
For Serven, this emphasis on defense resonated deeply.
“Defense is the cornerstone of my game,” he stated.
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The Tigers officially signed Serven to a minor league contract on December 13th, extending a non-roster invitation to spring training. At 29 years old, Serven joins a competitive group of five catchers within the Tigers’ system, including MLB roster members Jake Rogers and Dillon Dingler, and Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens players Tomás Nido and Stephen Scott.
Currently, only Rogers and Dingler hold spots on the Tigers’ 40-man roster, highlighting the open competition Serven is entering.
Serven’s defensive track record speaks volumes. Throughout his MLB career, spanning 730 innings behind the plate, he has accumulated a plus-7 defensive runs saved. His most extensive season was in 2022 with 484 innings caught, followed by 64 innings in 2023 and 182 innings in 2024.
“Every single pitch is critical,” Serven emphasized, reflecting on his time with the Colorado Rockies (2022-2023) and the Toronto Blue Jays (2024). “It’s about maintaining composure, keeping the pitcher focused, and doing your homework. Preparation is paramount. The more prepared you are, the more confident and calm you become.”
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While primarily recognized for his defensive capabilities, Serven has also contributed offensively, hitting .187 with six home runs, 18 walks, and 76 strikeouts across his 101 MLB games. In 2024, he spent a significant portion of the season with Triple-A Buffalo in the Blue Jays organization, where he posted a .265 batting average with three home runs, 26 walks, and 46 strikeouts in 40 games.
However, Serven’s identity remains firmly rooted in his defense-first approach. He takes pride in his ability to guide a pitching staff through his defensive skills and strategic game calling.
“Learning to catch new pitchers is always an adjustment,” Serven admitted, recalling his transition from the Rockies to the Blue Jays. “I’m eager to embrace that process again with the Tigers, to quickly learn each pitcher’s tendencies and preferences and build that crucial rapport.”
Based in Arizona during the offseason, Serven is proactively preparing to integrate with the Tigers’ pitching staff. While in-person interaction will be limited until spring training, he’s already initiated his learning process by studying videos and making personal visits, including connecting with Tigers’ ace left-hander Tarik Skubal.
“Skubal is an exceptional talent,” Serven acknowledged, referencing Skubal’s impressive performance, alluding to his Cy Young caliber status. “My priority is to support him and every pitcher on the staff, ensuring they feel confident and comfortable on the mound. I’m excited to get to work.”
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Serven emphasizes adapting to his pitchers’ needs, often mirroring the techniques of the team’s primary catcher. Last season with the Blue Jays, he adopted catcher Alejandro Kirk’s signature one-knee setup, particularly during his 27 MLB game appearances.
He anticipates observing Jake Rogers’ catching style closely during spring training, noting Rogers’ consistent use of the one-knee setup.
“While my natural inclination might be to catch from a two-foot stance,” Serven explained, “having utilized the one-knee setup since 2021, I recognize its advantages, especially in pitch receiving at the bottom of the strike zone. However, the two-foot stance offers superior blocking ability. It really depends on the situation and pitcher.”
The Tigers organization has been progressively advocating the one-knee setup for their catchers in recent seasons, evidenced by Jake Rogers’ switch to this technique in 2022. Rogers has since fully embraced the one-knee approach.
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Serven brings a versatility of experience, comfortable with both traditional and modern catching stances.
He has already established communication with Tigers catching coach Ryan Sienko.
“Coach Sienko reached out immediately after I signed,” Serven shared. “His philosophy is to guide and offer suggestions, not to impose a rigid style. He aims to provide us with beneficial adjustments while empowering us to develop our individual techniques. I’m really looking forward to collaborating with him.”
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Serven and Sienko are scheduled to experiment with various catching techniques during spring training in Lakeland, Florida, commencing in mid-February when pitchers and catchers officially report. This period will be crucial for Serven to familiarize himself with the Tigers’ pitching personnel through bullpens, live batting practice sessions, and game situations.
Ultimately, Brian Serven’s focus remains on contributing to the Detroit Tigers’ success, regardless of roster configurations.
“My commitment is to constant improvement, both personally and in supporting our pitching staff,” Serven concluded. “That’s my primary objective. If I consistently focus on those aspects, I believe everything else will fall into place.”
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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