Former Hawks’ catcher to be with Mariners on Opening Day

By Wesley Lyle

Sports Information Director

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Former Huntingdon All-American catcher Joseph Odom will be with the Seattle Mariners for Opening Day on Friday.

Odom was added to the Mariners' 60-man player pool and added to the team's three-man taxi squad on Thursday.

"Honestly, words cannot do justice of how proud I am of Joe or how proud I am for our program and institution," Huntingdon head baseball coach D.J. Conville said. "Odom is a first-class man and obviously a very talented professional athlete. He is a perfect example of how to go about accomplishing a goal or dream. Many people have no idea how hard he worked at Huntingdon and how hard he has continued to work. He has certainly earned this unbelievable opportunity."

The Mariners play at the Houston Astros on Friday at 8:10 p.m. (Central) to begin the shortened 60-game season.  

According to MLB.com, each team is "permitted a three-player Taxi Squad for every road trip" this season. The Taxi Squad gives teams an "immediate option to replace an injured or COVID-19 infected player." Each Taxi Squad must consist of one catcher. The remaining two players can be pitchers or position players.

Two sites that cover the Mariners mentioned Odom's positives in reporting his addition to the Taxi Squad.

According to Kate Preusser, writing for LookoutLanding.com, Odom is a "strong org guy as well, who practices what the Mariners preach and is well-respected by his teammates and beloved by the pitchers who say he makes them look good."

Shannon Drayer, writing for sports.mynorthwest.com, reported that Odom "is regarded as one of the best pitch framers in the minor leagues."

Odom, who was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2013, joined the Mariners' organization through the Rule 5 Draft in Dec. 2017.

He appeared in 98 minor league games last season, between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma, and was selected to the Double-A All-Star Game.