Erik Floyd Kratz (born June 15, 1980) is an American former professional baseball catcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Tampa Bay Rays, and New York Yankees during an 11-year career.

He played with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, appearing several times in 2011 and 2012 at the Major-League level and ultimately winning the backup catcher job on the Phillies' 2013 roster.

Kratz was dealt back to the Toronto organization prior to the 2014 season, and divided his playing time between MLB and the Blue Jays’ Triple-A Buffalo Bisons farm team before being traded to the Kansas City Royals in July.

He was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018, and played for the San Francisco Giants and Tampa Bay Rays in 2019.

He then played the 2005 season with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Blue Jays’ Double-A affiliate.

[9] In 2009, Kratz signed with the Pirates, who were in need of a primary Triple-A catcher after the call-up of Robinzon Diaz to replace the injured Ryan Doumit.

[10] Kratz played the 2009 season with the Indianapolis Indians and finished batting .273/.337/.470, with 11 home runs, and 43 RBI.

[9] On July 12, the Pirates optioned catcher Jason Jaramillo to Triple-A Indianapolis and the team announced Kratz would be called up to replace him.

Kratz signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 2011 season.

[9] Kratz was called up to MLB on September 16,[12] and went on to play two games with the Phillies, recording two hits in six at bats.

He hit his first MLB career home run on May 22, a solo shot against Washington Nationals pitcher Tom Gorzelanny that landed in the center field bushes at Citizens Bank Park.

Playing initially as a pinch hitter to replace the injured Jim Thome, Kratz later assumed a catching job following injuries to backup catcher Brian Schneider and All-Star starter Carlos Ruiz.

[15] Kratz had a strong spring, batting .400 before being demoted to minor-league camp in favor of Josh Thole.

[17] Kratz appeared in six games for the Blue Jays before being optioned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to make room for J.

[18] Kratz was later recalled and played in 34 games with the Blue Jays, batting .198, with 3 home runs, and 10 RBI before being traded.

[19] On July 28, 2014, Kratz was traded with Liam Hendriks to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Danny Valencia.

[19] Kratz was added to the Phillies' active roster on September 1 and made his first appearance the following day, hitting a pinch–hit, two–run double against Matt Harvey of the New York Mets.

[27] On December 11, 2015, Kratz signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.

[35] On July 28, 2016, Kratz signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

[40] Kratz appeared in his first game for the Yankees as a pinch hitter, on September 10, hitting a two-RBI double.

[19] The Yankees traded Kratz to the Milwaukee Brewers on May 25, 2018, in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

He hit his first home run of the season the next day in his Brewers debut, off of AJ Ramos of the Mets.

[50] On May 16, 2019, Kratz was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league pitcher Matt Seelinger.

[67] In March 2022, Kratz joined the Phillies radio broadcast team as a part-time color analyst.

[69] Kratz now is a co-host on the YouTube Podcast "Foul Territory" with ex-MLB Network on air talent Scott Braun, and other MLB players such as Jason Kipnis and A.J.