So to say hes simply an above average hitter is moronic, especially considering that most catchers are well below average at the plate. Catchers OPS'd .696 last season
You are saying TWO different things. As a hitter, not a catcher, he has been about 4 or 5 points above average for his career. He is trending upwards, but even if he is 10 points above average, as a hitter, without positional context (like what I bolded in your post), he is slightly above average. The other thing you are saying is taking him as a hitter IN positional context, which is true, he is a top hitting catcher.
Here is how you have to evaluate the Catcher scenario if you want to go for Realmuto if you are the Nats:
- Pedro Severino is hitting at 106 wRC+ right now, do you believe he falls off or keeps it up and if he falls off, where does his bat fall wRC+ wise?
- Pedro Severino has been worth four runs saved defensively (doesn't include framing)
- Pedro Severino has been worth 1.7 runs above average with his framing
- J.T. Realmuto is hitting at 155 wRC+ right now, do you believe he falls off or keeps it up and if he falls off, where does his bat fall wRC+ wise?
- J.T. Realmuto has been worth MINUS one run saved defensively (doesn't include framing)
- J.T. Realmuto has been worth 3.4 runs BELOW average with his framing
Realmuto profiles as an above average bat, playing adequate enough defense to improve his value at a position that typically hits like garbage. Severino profiles as a weak bat, playing very good defense at a position that typically you want to have the best defense.
I think Realmuto is not worth Soto or Robles, but I don't know if the Nats have enough in the next tier down to land him, because I think Kieboom is good, but definitely not enough to headline a deal. I come to this opinion in thinking that Realmuto's lack of framing skills and adequate defense (he has a very good arm though) hurt him a bit.