The Cubs have signed veteran catcher to a minor league deal, according to the transactions tracker on Prezs . The deal presumably includes an invite to MLB Spring Training. Prez, 34, should not be confused with his younger brother and fellow catcher , who is currently a free agent but played parts of two MLB seasons with the White Sox. The elder Prez signed with the Blue Jays out of Venezuela before making his pro debut in 2008 and has spent parts of five seasons in the majors since then. A well-regarded defensive catcher, Prez made his big league debut with the Angels back in 2015 but slashed just .224/.267/.332 (64 wRC+) in 595 plate appearances acro s 184 games and three seasons in Anaheim. Prez split the 2018 season between the Braves and Rangers but made it into just 28 games while posting a ghastly -4 wRC+ in 75 trips to the plate. After that lackluster showing in 2018, Prez shuffled between the Orioles, As, and Ted Williams Jersey Rockies systems over the years before finally resurfacing in the majors last year at the age of 32. The 2023 campaign was arguably the best of Prezs career as he served as Oaklands primary backup behind . His .226/.293/.357 slash line in 68 games for the As was well below league average (83 wRC+) overall but roughly on par with the expectations a sociated with a typical big league backup. Prez returned to the As on a minor league deal last winter but did not ultimately crack the clubs big league roster this year despite hitting quite well at Triple-A. In 112 games with the clubs Las Vegas affiliate, Prez slashed a strong .260/.344/.544 with 27 homers and 27 doubles. Those numbers are inflated by the offense-friendly environment of the Pacific Coast League, but even when adjusted for that environment are still good for a 114 wRC+ at the level. Prez elected minor league free agency last month in search of greener pastures, which he seems to have found in Chicago. The Cubs appear mostly set at the big league level with a catching tandem of and , but its po sible that Prez could be the next man up in the event of an injury, earning a big league opportunity similar to the ones and got with the club last year. From Chicagos perspective, meanwhile, Prez offers a non-roster depth option behind the plate who can also serve as a mentor to young pitchers at the Triple-A level like as well as the clubs top catching prospect, . Ballesteros reached Triple-A at just 20 years old last year on the power of his exciting bat, but his defensive skills are questionable and its not yet clear whether hell be able to stick behind the plate in the majors. Charlie Hough Jersey
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