The Twins’ Triple-A affiliate in Rochester announced today that catcher Juan Graterol was signed to a minor league contract. He’ll be added to the Red Wings roster and take the spot of veteran Jordan Pacheco, who’s going on the minor league DL with a knee injury.
Graterol, 29, was recently released by the Angels after being designated for assignment. He’d been up and down with the club on multiple occasions dating back to 2016 and has also spent time with the D-backs, Reds and Blue Jays in recent years. The defensively-sound backstop is a career .222/.225/.283 hitter in 103 MLB plate appearances but carries a more encouraging .290/.318/.349 slash in 449 PAs at the Triple-A level. (For those wondering, there’s no relation to top Twins pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol.)
Minnesota is understandably on the lookout for some depth behind the plate, having lost starter Jason Castro to a meniscus tear that proved significant enough to require season-ending surgery. Rookie Mitch Garver and journeyman Bobby Wilson have filled in behind the dish since that time, though neither has provided the Twins with much offense. Minnesota also picked up former Phillies backstop Cameron Rupp on a minor league deal, but he’s hitting just .143/.245/.200 through his first 53 plate appearances in Rochester.
Enough of these career backups. Either trade for a younger player not named John Ryan Murphy or target that Oregon state catcher in the draft next year. Seems like a stud in waiting.
What do you think of the Cardinals’ Carson Kelly as a trade target?
Obviously Cameron Rupp was a great addition
Look at that, a surprise Jordan Pacheco signing!!