Get ready for some baseball excitement! The Royals are making moves with their latest signing, and it's a move that might just spark some debate among fans.
The Kansas City Royals have signed catcher Elias Díaz to a minor league contract, as announced by the club. Díaz, an ACES client, is expected to join the major league camp soon, adding depth to the team's catching corps.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. Díaz, at 35 years old, brings a wealth of experience from his 11-season career with the Pirates, Rockies, and Padres. Despite a challenging 2025 season where he batted a mere .204, Díaz still managed to hit nine home runs, showcasing his power potential.
But here's the controversial part: Díaz's career batting average of .247 might not impress everyone. However, he's proven his worth with three double-digit homer seasons, including a career-high 18 home runs in 2021 with the Rockies.
On the defensive side, Díaz has consistently received average to above-average ratings for his ability to block balls and his throwing arm. His caught-stealing rate of 26.8% is impressive, and he's even improved his framing skills in recent years, according to Statcast.
The Royals, with their franchise icon Salvador Perez still going strong, don't have an immediate need for Díaz. Perez will rotate between catching, DH, and first base, with top prospect Carter Jensen likely to get the majority of starts behind the plate. Jensen, a 2021 third-round pick, made a smooth transition to the big leagues last season, batting .300 with three homers in just 20 games.
Díaz joins two other veteran catchers, Luke Maile and Jorge Alfaro, who have also signed minor league deals with the Royals. However, Maile's status is uncertain as he was recently removed from the camp roster due to personal matters.
So, what do you think about this move? Is Díaz a valuable addition to the Royals' roster, or is he just depth insurance? Let's discuss in the comments! The Royals' catching situation is definitely an intriguing one.
