The Braking News Monday
On Monday, the Royals made an official announcement regarding the signing of catcher Brian O’Keefe to a minor league contract. Tomorrow, he will be present at Triple-A Omaha. After entering into a minor league agreement with Minnesota, O’Keefe underwent spring training inside the Twins organization. However, he was subsequently released four days later.
O Keefe appearance for Mariners
O’Keefe, aged 30, has made appearances for the Mariners in both of the previous two Major League Baseball seasons. He has accumulated a total of 25 major league plate appearances, in which he has achieved a 3-for-22 record with a pair of doubles. The individual who was selected in the seventh round by the Cardinals in 2014 has achieved a lifetime batting average of.247/.333/.475 in three minor league seasons. This includes a slash of.238/.328/.504 (93 wRC+), as well as 23 home runs and 25 doubles in the most recent season.
O’Keefe has demonstrated a moderate level of control over runners behind the plate, with a career caught-stealing rate of 25% and a rate of 18% in 2023. According to Baseball Prospectus, he has consistently achieved exceptional framing marks in the upper minors.
Royals Lack imminent vacancy assistance for batting position
The Royals currently lack an imminent vacancy for assistance in the batting position. Both Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin are currently included in the major league roster and will collectively assume the responsibility of catching. In the offseason, Kansas City entered into a one-year major league contract with veteran Austin Nola and subsequently assigned him to Triple-A Omaha. However, the Storm Chasers recently declared that Nola had been placed on the injured list. As a result, there is a want for additional depth in addition to Logan Porter and Tyler Cropley. O’Keefe will temporarily assume that position, providing the Royals with a skilled alternative in case Perez or Fermin sustain an injury.
