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The Blue Jays are planning to pick out infielder Gosuke Katoh to the large league roster, the crew knowledgeable reporters (together with Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet) this afternoon. Toronto already has a emptiness on the 40-man roster, that means they gained’t have to make one other transfer in that regard.
As soon as finalized, Katoh will get his first MLB alternative. The 27-year-old started his skilled profession again in 2013, when he was chosen by the Yankees within the second spherical out of a California highschool. The left-handed hitter spent the following few seasons within the low minors, drawing loads of walks however hardly ever hitting for energy and hanging out fairly a bit. He didn’t attain Double-A till 2018, and he spent a while there the next season after struggling to a .229/.327/.335 line.
After a extra productive 2019 marketing campaign break up between the minors’ prime two ranges, Katoh certified for minor league free company. He signed on with the Marlins for 2020 however didn’t play in a recreation within the Miami group due to the canceled minor league season. Katoh caught on with the Padres final winter and spent your entire 12 months with their prime affiliate in El Paso. He had a strong .306/.388/.474 exhibiting over 402 plate appearances with the Chihuahuas. Katoh walked at a typically sturdy 11.4% clip and his 20.9% strikeout charge was among the many lowest charges of his minor league profession.
That wasn’t sufficient for Katoh to get an MLB alternative in San Diego, however he latched on with the Jays on a minors pact this winter. He impressed the entrance workplace and training employees sufficient to get a season-opening bench job that had been up for grabs. It had appeared as if first baseman Greg Bird was trending in direction of that spot, however Chicken was let go this afternoon as soon as the membership had opted for Katoh as an alternative.
In doing so, the Jays will forfeit some energy potential for a bit extra defensive flexibility. Katoh bounced between first, second and third base and left area for El Paso final season, whereas Chicken would’ve been restricted to first base or designated hitter. Katoh pairs with the righty-hitting Santiago Espinal as utility choices behind the beginning infield of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio, Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette. He nonetheless has all three minor league choice years remaining, so whereas he’ll be receiving his first MLB alternative, Katoh might bounce between Toronto and Triple-A Buffalo for some time.
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