Toronto Blue Jays sign former utility-infielder Rafael Lantigua
Photo credit: Toronto Blue Jays - Instagram
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed former utility-infielder Rafael Lantigua to a minor league contract.
The Blue Jays signed Eloy Jimenez to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training according to a report from MLB Insider Mike Rodriguez on Sunday.
Rodriguez now reports that the Blue Jays have also signed free agent infielder Rafael Lantigua to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training.
According to my sources, shortstop Rafael Lantigua has reached an agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays. It is a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. #Toros #BlueJays
Lantigua briefly played in the Philadelphia Phillies system
Lantigua spent his entire career in the Blue Jays' organization prior to this past season.
He signed with Philadelphia as a minor league free agent in December 2024.
The 27-year-old played second base in the Phillies' Triple-A team (Lehigh Valley IronPigs) during the 2025 campaign and slashed .230/.356/.330 with seven home runs and 56 RBIs in 400 at-bats.
Lantigua briefly joined the big-league club in September, though he spent just three days on the roster and didn't appear in a game.
Lantigua's strength is his speed and ability to play anywhere in the infield
The Blue Jays signed Lantigua back in 2016. He's logged considerable time in the minor leagues, racking up 3,357 plate appearances across eight seasons.
Lantigua reached Triple-A Buffalo in 2022, where he played through the 2024 season.
Rafael Lantigua hit .305 with 85 RBIs, 28 stolen bases and an .893 OPS with the Buffalo Bisons last year playing six different positions. He picked up where he left off in Winter League:
Lantigua has shown elite on-base skills at every level of the minors. He's had an OBP above .345 in each of the past five seasons.
A massive walk rate has helped Lantigua reach base at such a high clip. He posted a 17% walk rate in his first full season at Triple-A in 2023.
He was at a strong 13.4% in 2024, before notching a 15.6% mark with Lehigh Valley this past season.
Lantigua's strength lies in playing all over the infield: he plays second base, shortstop and third base.
This makes the Dominican infielder into a great Triple-A depth player with a light hit tool for the Blue Jays as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Toronto Blue Jays sign former Silver Slugger Eloy Jimenez
Toronto Blue Jays sign former Silver Slugger Eloy Jimenez
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 11 | 71 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays sign former utility-infielder Rafael Lantigua Do you think signing Rafael Lantigua was a good infield depth move for the Blue Jays? | ||
| Yes | 24 | 33.8 % |
| No | 17 | 23.9 % |
| Too early to tell | 30 | 42.3 % |
| List of polls | ||