The SF Giants are said to have strengthened their catching depth. Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media reported that the team has signed experienced catcher to a minor league contract.
SF Giants bolster catching depth after adding veteran backstop on minor league deal
The Giants faced a shortage of catching depth at various times during the 2024 season, a situation they aim to prevent in 2025.
At first glance, Stassi’s addition doesn’t seem to alleviate concerns about catching depth. After all, he hasn’t played in a major league game since 2022, missing the entire 2023 season to address a family emergency.
Stassi’s son, Jackson, was born over three months premature and faced several health complications. Fortunately, Jackson has reportedly recovered and is now living a more stable life, according to Sam Blum of The Athletic.
The veteran catcher was traded to the Chicago White Sox last offseason but had hip surgery in June 2024. He only played five rehab games before being sidelined for the rest of the year.
Stassi has had a lengthy career since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2009 draft out of Yuba City High School.
Over 10 seasons, he has compiled a .212/.295/.361 slash line (83 wRC+) with a 9.3 percent walk rate, a 29.5 percent strikeout rate, and a .149 ISO. His best season came in 2021 with the Los Angeles Angels, where he posted a .752 OPS with 13 home runs, 45 RBIs, and a 2.9 fWAR.
In recognition of his performance, the Angels signed him to a three-year, $17.5 million contract with a team option for 2025. However, the White Sox declined the option and chose to buy him out for $500,000 instead.
Although Stassi is not known for his offensive production, he has built a solid reputation defensively. Over his career, he has accumulated +26 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and +20 Outs Above Average (OAA), highlighting his skills behind the plate.
This is a low-risk move for the Giants, providing additional depth behind catchers Patrick Bailey and Tom Murphy. Murphy struggled with a knee injury for much of the 2024 season and has a history of health issues, making this signing a good safety net.
For Stassi, joining the Giants on a minor league deal also offers the opportunity to play near his hometown of Yuba City, should he be assigned to the Sacramento team.
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