Tyler Heineman
#55 C · Angels
Height
5'10"
Weight
190 lbs
Age
35
College
UCLA
Draft
2012, Rd 8, #249
Experience
6 yrs
Bats/Throws
B/R
B-
C+
F
N/A
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The Verdict on Tyler, in One Read
On the field, Tyler Heineman grades out as a middling C for Angels (C+ Performance). That places him 34th of 93 graded catchers. Against that production, his deal reads as good value on the Contract Value Index (B-) — the team is paying below what the play would command. The public read is sharply negative (F Sentiment), drawn from current news and social signal rather than the box score.
Career StatsC+
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2026 |  | 33 | .154 | 1 | 6 | .410 | 0 | 12 |
| 2026 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$1.2M
Guaranteed
$743K
AAV
$1.2M/yr
Guaranteed %60%
Contract Value Index (CVI)
B-
Good Value
OverpayFair ValueGreat Value
Tyler Heineman's one-year, $1.2M deal with the Blue Jays earns a B- CVI — a shrewd piece of roster construction that addresses immediate needs without long-term commitment. At a position where serviceable starters routinely command $3-5M annually, Toronto secured solid production at a significant discount, making this contract particularly valuable given the Blue Jays' competitive window pressures. Heineman profiles as a reliable defensive backstop who won't hurt you offensively, exactly what you want in a backup catcher role, and the short-term nature allows the organization to evaluate their catching prospects without blocking future development. The modest AAV gives Toronto flexibility to allocate resources elsewhere while maintaining competent depth behind the plate. While Heineman isn't moving the needle dramatically, this represents the type of efficient, low-risk signing that championship contenders need to maximize their payroll effectiveness. The deal perfectly balances immediate roster needs with future flexibility — a textbook example of smart salary management in today's market.
Performance Analysis
C+
FCA+
Tyler Heineman's performance grade lands at C+, capturing how he stacks up at catcher this season. The 34-year-old veteran has delivered the kind of middling, backup-caliber production you'd expect from a depth piece in his career stage—not a liability, but not a difference-maker either. His 2026 season shows the offensive struggles typical of a declining hitting profile: a .158 AVG and 19 strikeouts across 31 games tell the story of a hitter who's lost bat speed and can't make consistent contact. Behind the plate, he's functional enough that Toronto elected to retain him on a one-year deal rather than turn the position over entirely, suggesting his game-calling and pitch-framing remain acceptable for a support role. However, the stark gap between his workmanlike C+ performance grade and his F sentiment score reveals a catcher whose reputation has been demolished by one catastrophic pitching appearance—a mound debacle that generated widespread ridicule and turned him into an unwitting punchline across baseball media. With the Blue Jays at 36-38 and playoff positioning tight, Heineman's days as a regular are likely numbered, especially given recent catcher signings that suggest the organization is exploring alternatives. For a seven-year veteran, this is a cautionary tale about how a single embarrassing moment can erase years of professional credibility in the social media age.
Contracts in the Same Value Band
Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Tyler's contract sits relative to comparable money.
How Tyler Compares at the Position
Tyler Heineman ranks 34th of 93 graded catchers by performance. That slots Tyler between Agustin Ramirez (C+) just ahead and Rafael Flores (C+) just behind.
Graded higher
Agustin RamirezMarlinsC+Moises BallesterosCubsC+Kyle TeelWhite SoxC+Tyler HeinemanC+
Graded lower
Rafael FloresPiratesNews & Buzz
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About this player
Tyler Heineman is a player in his 6th MLB season listed at C for the Angels. FanVerdicts covers every MLB player, team, GM, and transaction — and puts your verdict on all of it. Sign in to cast your Fan Verdict on Tyler Heineman, see where the crowd lands, and argue the call. FanVerdicts also brings its own read — performance, sentiment, and Contract Value Index — as one honest input alongside the crowd's. Where FanVerdicts has weighed in so far: Contract Value Index B-, Performance C+, Sentiment F.
The crowd's Fan Verdict moves in real time as fans vote on this profile. FanVerdicts' own read updates as new data lands — performance recalculates when MLB game stats post, sentiment shifts with media coverage and fan discussion, and the Contract Value Index recomputes when contract terms change. Contract details below show the structure (years, total value, average annual value, guarantees) behind the Contract Value Index read.
For league-wide context, the MLB hub has team rankings, GM report cards, the transactions feed, and live scoreboards. The MLB player rankings page sorts every active player by performance and contract value within their position.
