Per a team press release, the Twins have selected the contract of catcher Juan Graterol from Triple-A Rochester. He’ll head to Oakland tonight to join the MLB team. Ervin Santana has been transferred to the 60-day DL in order to make room for him on the roster.
Minnesota signed the 29-year-old Graterol to a minors pact in late June after he was designated for assignment and subsequently released by the Angels. His lone MLB plate appearance on the season resulted in a single, but he’d also spent parts of 2016 an 2017 in Los Angeles and racked up just over 100 trips to the plate during that time. The backstop owns a lifetime .222/.225/.283 batting line at the MLB level, though he’s perhaps better known for sound defense behind the plate.
Since joining the Rochester Red Wings, Graterol has posted a .284/.317/.336 batting line across 123 MiLB plate appearances. That comes with a sustainable .289 BABIP, so there’s at least some optimism surrounding his potential to make good contact in the majors. But the more fascinating element of Graterol’s game is his plate discipline profile. He’s got just a 2.4% strikeout rate with the Red Wings, along with a 1.6% walk rate. Put more simply, Graterol swings often, and he doesn’t miss very much. He’ll sit behind Willians Astudillo and Chris Gimenez on the Twins’ depth chart.
Graterol is a quality backup. I don’t know why teams pass on him and he isn’t in the big leagues permanently. He is more than good enough. It is not like there is backup quality on every big league team.
I mean, his slash line’s right there. That probably has something to do with it. Not like he’s ever been a good hitter in AAA either
Yeah, I really don’t get this move. Why now? And why not Gordon??
Garver won’t catch anymore this year. That’s the way now. It’s just a depth piece. As far as Gordon, I don’t see a place for him. Polanco gets the SS at bats, and Forsythe gets 2B. Paying Logan to much to let him sit. Plus the front office doesn’t want Gordon’s clock to start.
The Twins FO isn’t going to call up any of the young prospects anymore this year. We aren’t going anywhere. Why the hell would you waste service time on this awful season?
You’re absolutely right, unfortunately. Which is why reforming the journey from 0.000 to free agency is sorely needed. From an on-field standpoint… why the hell would you send all your young guys home and play a bunch of useless roster filler?