The Royals just signed veteran catcher Elias Díaz to a minor-league contract. They’re clearly trying to add some depth behind the plate, but Salvador Pérez still looks set as the everyday guy.
Díaz, who’s 35 and has played in the majors for 11 seasons, will head to big-league camp next week. He’ll get a shot to earn a real role in Kansas City’s catching group this season.
What the signing means for Kansas City
By bringing in Díaz on a non-roster, minor-league deal, the Royals follow a familiar spring routine. They like to add experienced backup options behind their stars, making camp a little more competitive for catchers.
Pérez remains the mainstay and will probably split his time between catching, designated hitter, and first base. With Díaz’s experience and the possibility of Carter Jensen stepping up, the Royals might have some interesting ways to shape their roster in the next year or two.
Offensive production and upside
Díaz brings steady, journeyman production to the table. He’s logged over 2,800 big-league plate appearances with a .247/.300/.383 slash line, three seasons with double-digit homers, and a career-high 18 bombs back in 2021 for the Rockies.
Last year with the Padres, Díaz hit .204/.270/.337 with nine homers in 283 trips to the plate. That’s a 74 wRC+. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but he’s always had just enough pop to be annoying in the middle of a lineup or as a pinch-hitter.
Defensive chops and framing
Defensively, Díaz stands as an average-at-worst catcher, with solid game-calling and a decent arm. His caught-stealing rate sits around 26.8% for his career, and he posted a 24% mark in 2025.
He didn’t get great marks for pitch framing early on, but Statcast recently rated him slightly above average in both 2024 and 2025. That shows he’s improved as a framer and strategist behind the plate.
Behind Salvador Pérez and the catching depth chart
The Royals don’t seem desperate for a new starting catcher. Pérez, a franchise staple, handles most of the catching, along with some time at DH and first base.
Top prospect Carter Jensen is expected to step in on Pérez’s days off. That makes sense, since Jensen put up strong numbers in 2025.
Carter Jensen: a rising backstop
Jensen impressed across the minors in 2025, hitting .290/.377/.501 in Double-A and Triple-A. He also posted a .300/.391/.550 line in 69 MLB plate appearances.
He’s got a nice mix of plate discipline and power, making him a really interesting option at catcher. If he keeps developing, he could push for more time behind Pérez pretty soon.
Other veteran options in camp
Alongside Díaz, Kansas City has Luke Maile and Jorge Alfaro in the mix as veteran catchers on minor-league deals or non-roster invites.
Maile just left camp for a personal matter, though the club seems open to his return if things line up.
Alfaro’s still around, which means the Royals have plenty of veteran depth behind the plate and some solid backup plans if things go sideways.
Looking ahead: what to watch in spring and beyond
Kansas City brought in Díaz as a smart depth move, not some big shakeup.
He’s got a steady bat, solid defense, and his framing has improved—so maybe he carves out a role if injuries or slumps hit Pérez’s workload.
Honestly, the story to watch is how Jensen handles more responsibility and how Díaz, Maile, and Alfaro battle for those limited at-bats once May and June roll around.
- Key traits to monitor:
- Defensive consistency in game-calling and framing metrics
- Offensive contributions in limited opportunities
- Performance as a veteran presence in the clubhouse
- Impact on Pérez’s workload and the development of Jensen
The Royals now have a seasoned, flexible backstop in Díaz at a reasonable price.
Spring training’s going to be all about the competition behind the plate and how Díaz, Jensen, and Pérez shape Kansas City’s catching situation for the next couple years.
Here is the source article for this story: Royals Sign Elias Díaz To Minor League Deal
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