Blue Jays Sign Catcher Ali Sánchez to Minor League Contract
Blue Jays Add Depth Behind the Plate, Sign Catcher Ali Sánchez to Minor League Deal
The Toronto Blue Jays are bolstering their catching depth, agreeing to a minor league contract with veteran backstop Ali Sánchez, according to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. Sánchez will be invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee, giving him a chance to compete for a spot on the big league roster.
Sánchez, 28, saw his most extensive major League action this past season with the Miami Marlins, appearing in 31 games. While he struggled at the plate,hitting just .167/.211/.190, Sánchez has a history of solid performance in the minor leagues.
The right-handed hitter spent time in both the chicago Cubs and Miami organizations at the Triple-A level in 2023, posting a respectable .226/.310/.361 batting line across 174 plate appearances. Over five seasons in Triple-A,Sánchez has a career .267/.339/.395 slash line, demonstrating his ability to hit for average and get on base.
Known for his strong defensive skills, Sánchez has also impressed with his arm strength, throwing out 25% of attempted base stealers during his limited time in the Majors.
Currently, the Blue Jays have Alejandro Kirk and Tyler Heineman as their only catchers on the 40-man roster.While Sánchez faces an uphill battle to unseat Heineman for the backup role, he provides valuable depth and could begin the season as the top catching option at Triple-A Buffalo.
Jays Sign Veteran Catcher Ali Sánchez to Minor League Deal, Add Depth Behind the Plate
Toronto, ON – The Toronto Blue Jays have added experienced catcher Ali Sánchez to their organization on a minor league deal, as reported by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. Sánchez will be a non-roster invitee to spring training, offering him an chance to compete for a spot on the big league roster.
Sánchez, 28, holds the most meaningful major League experience from his time with the Miami Marlins last season.Although his offensive performance at the plate resulted in a.167/.211/.190 slash line across 31 games,Sánchez has consistently shown strong offensive capabilities in the minor leagues.
During his time with both the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins Triple-A affiliates in 2023, Sánchez showcased a respectable .226/.310/.361 batting line over 174 plate appearances. Throughout his five seasons in Triple-A, his career slash line sits at .267/.339/.395, indicating his ability to hit for average and consistently get on base.
Beyond his offensive contributions, Sánchez is highly regarded for his defensive prowess, particularly his arm strength. during his brief stint in the Majors, he successfully threw out 25% of attempted basestealers.
Currently, the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster features Alejandro Kirk and Tyler Heineman as their only catchers. While Sánchez faces a tough challenge in surpassing Heineman for the backup catcher role, he provides valuable depth to the organization. He is highly likely to start the season as the primary catcher for the Buffalo Bisons,Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate.