Minor MLB Transactions: 1/8/18

Here are the day’s minor moves from around the game…

• The Twins have signed utility man Jordan Pacheco to a minor league contract, per their Triple-A affiliate’s PR director, Nate Rowan (on Twitter). Initially a catcher by trade, Pacheco has broadened his skill set by logging more than 350 innings at each of third base, first base and second base in recent years, and he’s even chipped in 133 innings as a shortstop in the minors. Set to turn 32 later this month, Pacheco most recently played 42 games for the independent Long Island Ducks, hitting .273/.351/.420 in 42 games. Pacheco is a career .272/.310/.365 hitter in 1149 MLB plate appearances and a .272/.343/.388 hitter in parts of six Triple-A seasons. The Twins project to have a crowded bench as is, with Eduardo Escobar, Mitch Garver, Zack Granite and Robbie Grossman all currently projected for spots, but Pacheco can bring some versatile depth to the Rochester roster.
• Former MLB hurler A.J. Achter appears to be moving on from his playing days, as he has been announced as the new pitching coach at Eastern Michigan University. The 29-year-old, who was selected out of Michigan State in the 46th round of the 2010 draft, threw 62 total frames in the majors between 2014-16 with the Twins and Angels. Last year, Achter worked at the Double-A level with the Tigers. While he was never able to hold down a firm job at the game’s highest level, Achter thrived at Triple-A. In 190 innings there, he worked to a 2.79 ERA with 8.0 K/9 versus 3.1 BB/9. MLBTR wishes him the best of luck in his new line of work.