The Blue Jays have signed CJ Stubbs to a minor league contract, according to his MLB.com profile page. While Stubbs didn't receive an invitation to Toronto's big league Spring Training camp, his journey to the MLB is an intriguing one. Stubbs, a tenth-round pick for the Astros in 2019, was released by Houston in May 2024 and quickly signed with the Nationals. This move led to his first taste of Major League action, albeit a brief one. Stubbs played a single game, going 0-for-3 behind the plate in Washington's 2-0 win over the Marlins. Despite this, he guided rookie starter Andrew Alvarez and four Nats relievers to a two-hit shutout over five innings. However, this notable game didn't secure more playing time for Stubbs, who elected minor league free agency after being outrighted off Washington's 40-man roster in late October. The Blue Jays already have Alejandro Kirk and Tyler Heineman as their primary catchers, but Stubbs' MLB experience makes him the only other catcher in the organization with any Major League action. He is currently the first call-up if Kirk or Heineman were to get injured, depending on any additional catching help the Jays might add on a minor league deal. Stubbs' professional career is relatively short, with only 45 games and 145 plate appearances over three seasons at Triple-A. His minor league statistics include a .222/.366/.453 slash line and six home runs. Despite his impressive power, Stubbs has struck out 648 times in 1854 plate appearances, with a career minor league slash line of .206/.315/.396. Additionally, he has hit 72 homers and stolen 52 bases in the minors, showcasing his potential as a versatile player. However, his strikeout rate remains a concern. With the Blue Jays' current catching situation, Stubbs' future remains uncertain, but his recent MLB experience and potential as a power-hitting catcher make him a player to watch.
