Did the pandemic season of 2020 kill all the catchers?

I was compiling hilarious punch lists for Brian Cashman - you know, things to do immediately after D.J. LeMahieu finally decides where he'll play in 2021. For example...

If DJ stays, our Monument Hall-bound GM should: 

1. Call Gleyber, tell him our prayers are answered: He'll play SS!
2. Beg Hal for more money to sign Tanaka. Remind Hal of "the photos."
3. Call Eric Kratz and see if he wants to unretire.

If DJ goes:

1. Call Gleyber, tell him our prayers are answered: He'll play 2B!
2. Call Sir Didi, say our plan worked; make an offer.
3. Beg Hal for more money. See Tanaka and show barnyard photos.
4. Call Erik Kratz...

Okay, what's my deal with the 40-year-old Kratz? No, I'm not his agent. No, we're not a "thing." Aside from the fact that he seems to be a truly delightful man, who functioned as  as a de facto player/coach, there's this: 

The lost 2020 season has created a catcher-desert, not just within the Yankee Death Barge, but across the vast tundra of the game. Without the minor leagues, dozens of young catchers last year missed out on the seasoning, the game experience, it takes to reach the show. 

We can stew over the decision to keep Gary Sanchez -biggest Yank disappointment since Kevin Maas - but, frankly, what were the alternatives? 

Our organizational depth chart shows two - (2), that's dos (Spanish), deux (French), ithnain (Arabic) - catchers: Sanchez and Kyle Higashioka. Two. A pair. A couple. Bookends. Peas in a pod. Brooks & Shields!  The Mets recently spilled $40 million upon James McCann, a middling talent who happened to be the second best free agent catcher on the market. The top guy, JT Realmuto, will be so expensive that Yank fans don't even bother to fantasize him. 

The Yankees' top catching prospects spent 2020 in goat yoga, English classes or cryogenic freezers - with no game experience. Most were too young to even get sent to the Yankee summer camp in Moosic, Pa. Thus, we saw the bonanza for ancient warhorses like Kratz, who seemed poised to retire two years ago. 

According to mlb.com, our best catching prospects remain years away from eyeballing Scranton's Route 81 skyline. Each missed his chance to call a game, learn to frame, or hit a slider. Here's what we have, as catchers. Keep in mind, these rankings are basically frozen in place from 2019. 

1. Austin Wells, 21, our 1st round pick last June, (ranked 6th overall in the franchise.) He has yet to see a professional pitch.

2. Anthony Siegler, 21, our 1st round pick in 2018 (ranked 16th.) In normal times, he might have reached Double A last summer.  

3. Antonio Gomez, 19, (ranked 22nd) a moog, barely beyond the Gulf Coast League. A long, long way from High Single A.

4. Josh Breaux, 23, (ranked 23rd) 2nd round pick in 2018 who unfortunately missed much of 2019 with injuries. This year, if lucky, he'll shoot for Triple A.

The usual suspects, last seen in 2019 at scattered locations throughout the Yankee system: Ryan Larnaway, Ryan Lidge, Kellin Deglan, Francisco Arcia, Eduardo Navas, Jorge Saez, Francisco Diaz. Take a pick. Instant Lottery. But how do they improve without playing?

Last October, even with a 28-man playoffs roster, the Yankees didn't add a third catcher. 

So... whadda we do? Clearly, Bri-Cash has some trips to the MLB scrap yard ahead of him. The Yankees need backstops, and some might be driving for Grubhub. Let's not delete Kratz's number, and hold onto those photos of Hal. If something happens to our Big Two, we're going to need them.