The Toronto Blue Jays have signed a player to a minor league deal.
On Wednesday afternoon, KLUTCH Baseball agent Nate Heisler announced that Michael Stefanic signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays.
Congrats to our @KlutchSports client Michael Stefanic (@mjstefi) on agreeing to a MiLB contract with the Toronto Blue Jays @BlueJays
— Nate Heisler (@Nate_Heisler) November 27, 2024
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Stefanic signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2018 draft with the Los Angeles Angels, where he spent his entire professional career. He’s found success in Triple-A in the past, as he slashed .334/.408/.505 with 16 home runs in 458 plate appearances in 2021 for a 130 wRC+ in 2021. His best Triple-A season was in 2023, where he slashed .365/463/.467 with five home runs in 455 plate appearances for a 139 wRC+.
The 28-year-old second baseman has also had a few cups of coffee in the big leagues with the Angels. Stefanic made his debut in 2022, slashing .197/.279/.230 with no home runs in 69 plate appearances. In 2023, he slashed .290/.380/.355 with no home runs in 71 plate appearances, but had an 11.3 K% and BB% for a 109 wRC+ and a 0.2 fWAR.
Michael Stefanic and the Angels walk off the Yankees! pic.twitter.com/V5J90NbS7b
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 18, 2023
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Last season was the longest he spent in the big leagues, as Stefanic slashed .218/.301/.255 with no home runs in 124 plate appearances for a 63 wRC+ and a -0.4 fWAR. Stefanic did have an impressive showing with the Angels’ Triple-A team though, slashing .389/.456/.510 with two home runs in 183 plate appearances for a 148 wRC+.
Defensively, Stefanic has been solid at second base during his big league career. Last season in 256.1 innings, he posted 0 Defensive Runs Saved and -2 Outs Above Average. For his career, he’s played 470.1 innings at the keystone, where he has 1 DRS and -2 OAA.
This signing only helps the Blue Jays’ depth at second base. As it stands, Addison Barger, Ernie Clement, Spencer Horwitz, Leo Jiménez, Orelvis Martínez, and Will Wagner are the players who can play second base on the Jays’ 40-man roster.
It’s unclear what the Blue Jays have planned for Stefanic, but having an AAAA infielder could become useful if they deal with injuries next season. And well, signing a player like this has worked in the past for the Jays, look no further than Ernie Clement.
As always, you can follow me Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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