Toronto Blue Jays sign former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher to one-year contract

According to the team's transaction log, catcher Geovanny Planchart has been signed to a minor league contract. Additionally, it would appear that he has been assigned to Double-A New Hampshire.

Planchart is the second free agent catcher the Blue Jays have added on a minor league deal this offseason, following 17 year old international free agent Isay Veras But Planchart is a lot closer to being major league ready.

While he wasn't added to the 40 man roster, Planchart will provide depth behind Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela as backups to Alejandro Kirk.

Planchart spent six years in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, but has yet to move past High-A. However, he is still just 24 and could see some playing time in Double-A New Hampshire this upcoming season.

While Planchart has always somewhat below average offensive numbers, but does have a 41% caught stealing rate and had a .994 Fielding Percentage for the Greesnboro Grasshoppers last year.

In 56 games for Greensboro last year, Planchart hit .193 with three home runs and 18 RBIs.

He is still likely at least a year away from the Major Leagues, but the Blue Jays clearly like what they see and feel that Planchart has the potential to one day be their number two catcher. (Kirk isn't going anywhere)

While the Blue Jays don't currently have catchers on their Triple-A roster - though will change as the season starts, with Valenzuela likely being stashed there - they do have plenty at Double-A, including Jacob Sharp and Robert Brooks.