Especially in a talent rich roster like the Williamsport Crosscutters, where players come in expecting to get consistent playing time, finding the correct balance can make a difference between winning a first half title and having to settle for making a push in the second half.

And with 22 games left to play in the first half, one area of the field has left a particular selection headache: the catcher.

On a normal baseball roster, there is usually a clear-cut favorite that gets the start behind the plate, with a backup filling in one to two times a week. If you are lucky, you may even get a third, emergency selection in case of emergency.

But Williamsport have found themselves even one better, with the MLB Draft League gifting four different catchers to fill out the Cutters lineup in the first half. Four different catchers, three of which being upperclassman at the collegiate level, with two hailing from a power four school.

Matthew Graveline of the Williamsport Crosscutters puts his mask on as he prepares to catch in the first inning of a recent game at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Maybe they will be at different levels talent wise? Well, in terms of OPS, three of the top six OPS leaders on the Cutters have their primary position listed as catcher.

Not exactly the clearest cut depth chart coming in.

“You know, four (catchers) is tough,” discussed Williamsport Crosscutter manager Kenny Thomas during Tuesday batting practice. “I don’t think it was originally intended for us to have four, but it’s kind of the way it worked out. It is tough at times, you know, a couple of those guys are real prospects.”

The opening day roster initially featured two back stoppers, Notre Dame senior Joey Spence and Ohio State’s Matthew Graveline. Spence, a Wisconsin native, started in his final year of eligibility in 2024 with the Fighting Irish, posting full seasons best in OPS (.924,) and batting average (.277.)

Playing just three times for Williamsport, Spence has three hits in ten at bats, including an RBI double and a walk.

Catcher Joey Spence and pitcher Dylan Alsonso of the Williamsport Crosscutters shake hands at the end of an inning during a recent game at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Playing more than anyone else with a C next to their name in the lineup, Graveline has been a revelation for Williamsport early on this season. In seven appearances, the Centerville, Ohio native is batting .286 with a jaw dropping 1.198 OPS, good for first on the Cutters roster this season. Although due to roster constraints, Graveline has primarily been a designated hitter rather than catching.

That is due to the emergence of Boston Smith, who joined the roster a week into the season due to his college Wright State making the NCAA Regionals after winning the Horizon League.

Smith has kept that championship pedigree going into Williamsport, throwing out three runners attempting to steal while not allowing a stolen base in his first appearance with Williamsport. Appearing in three games as of Tuesday. Smith is just one of nine at the plate, with the exception being a three run home run that catapulted the Cutters past Trenton last week.

Rounding out the catching lineup is Christian Reyes. Reyes, who recently graduated from Desert Oasis High School in Nevada, represents a wild card on the roster; having started just once this season.

The result from the first two weeks of the season is a selection headache behind the plate that will refuse to go away. And with Williamsport just half a game back from first place in the MLB Draft League, making the right choice may mean taking back to back first half crowns.

Boston Smith of the Williamsport Crosscutters waits for the start of the game during a recent game at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“They’re all good players,” concluded Thomas. “All four of them are good guys, and we’ll just continue working them in.”

Christian Reyes of the Williamsport Crosscutters runs out of the dugout as he gets ready to play during a recent game at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Catcher Christian Reyes (left) of the Williamsport Crosscutters talks with Carlos Castillo during a recent game at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Reyes of the Williamsport Crosscutters gets on his gear and as he gets ready to play during a recent game at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Boston Smith of the Williamsport Crosscutters waits for the start of the game during a recent game at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Reyes of the Williamsport Crosscutters gives manager Kenny Thomas a fist bump during batting practice before a recent game at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Reyes of the Williamsport Crosscutters walks out of the backstop during batting practice before a recent game at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Christian Reyes of the Williamsport Crosscutters prepares to take some cuts during batting practice before a recent game at Bowman Field. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Catcher Matthew Graveline and Connor Knox of the Williamsport Crosscutters look out at the field between pitches during a recent game at Journey Bank Ballpark. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette