The D-Backs signed catcher Aramis Garcia and shortstop Connor Kaiser to minor league contracts. Each gamers will get invitations to massive league camp. The offers have been introduced by Arizona’s Triple-A membership in Reno.
Garcia, 32 in January, has extra massive league expertise of that duo. The righty-hitting catcher has appeared in elements of 5 MLB seasons, logging 119 video games between 4 groups. That included three video games and 7 hitless at-bats with the Phillies this yr. Garcia isn’t a lot of an offensive risk. He’s a profession .211/.248/.325 hitter with a 35.8% strikeout fee throughout 327 plate appearances. He had an excellent poorer displaying within the minors this previous season, hitting .159/.216/.279 whereas punching out almost 36% of the time in 76 Triple-A video games.
Groups are at all times on the hunt for catching depth, so the Snakes will ship Garcia to Reno to start subsequent season. Statcast hasn’t graded him favorably for his blocking abilities however credit him with a plus arm. Garcia did a pleasant job controlling the run sport in Triple-A this yr. He reduce down greater than 32% of tried basestealers over 584 innings behind the plate.
Kaiser, who turns 28 subsequent week, is a glove-first infielder. A former third-round decide of the Pirates, he acquired into three massive league video games with the Rockies in 2023. That’s the extent of his MLB work. Colorado outrighted Kaiser off their 40-man roster halfway by that season. He spent this yr with the Rox’s high farm group in Albuquerque. Regardless of taking part in in an excessive hitter’s park, the Vanderbilt product put up a .221/.343/.339 line by 347 plate appearances. Kaiser took his share of walks however caught out at a near-32% clip. He’s additionally more likely to start subsequent season in Reno, probably in a utility capability.
