The D-Backs signed catcher Aramis Garcia and shortstop Connor Kaiser to minor league contracts. Each gamers will get invitations to huge league camp. The offers had been introduced by Arizona’s Triple-A membership in Reno.
Garcia, 32 in January, has extra huge league expertise of that duo. The righty-hitting catcher has appeared in components 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 menace. He’s a profession .211/.248/.325 hitter with a 35.8% strikeout price throughout 327 plate appearances. He had a good poorer exhibiting within the minors this previous season, hitting .159/.216/.279 whereas punching out practically 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 lower 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 choose of the Pirates, he bought into three huge 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 means of that season. He spent this yr with the Rox’s high farm staff in Albuquerque. Regardless of enjoying in an excessive hitter’s park, the Vanderbilt product put up a .221/.343/.339 line by means of 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.
