Blue Jays sign former Pirates catcher Geovanny Planchart to a minor league deal

A glove-first backstop, Planchart even reached Double-A in his professional career, but repeated the high-A level in 2o25 and struggled to find his place at the plate. In 56 games, the right-handed catcher hit .193/.307/.293 with just three home runs and 18 RBIs, good for a well-below average 80 wRC+ (100 league average).

Despite Planchart’s overall ineffectiveness, drawing walks has been his smartest offensive tool, producing a double-digit walk rate at every affiliate he has appeared at since 2021. Unfortunately, this has largely been the only tool in his toolbox.

The Venezuelan catcher showed encouraging signs of power during his limited sample size of 12 games in the Arizona Fall League during the 2024 campaign, posting a trio of extra-base hits while batting .500. He also earned nine walks and just seven strikeouts during that span, further demonstrating his quality swing decisions.

However, he was unable to capitalize on that success and turn it into a productive developmental year with the Pirates organization a season ago. When free agency opened on November 6, the franchise approved his request to enter free agency.

In addition to catching, with Planchart throwing out more than 40 percent of baserunners in ’25, he has expanded his defensive flexibility in recent seasons by playing first base, where he logged a career-high 121 innings last season.

When the 2026 minor league season rolls around, Planchart will likely start the year with the Vancouver Canadians in support of top prospect Edward Duran.