The Toronto Blue Jays made moves in free agency on Wednesday, strengthening their infield depth with a new signing. According to MLB agent Nate Heisler, the Blue Jays have inked Michael Stefanic to a minor-league contract.
Though Stefanic has spent the majority of his career in the minors, he brings some major league experience to a team looking to bolster its roster. Over the past three seasons, Stefanic has appeared in 90 games with the Angels, accumulating a .232 batting average, 54 hits, 14 RBIs, and 18 runs in 233 at-bats.
His MLB stats may not stand out, but Stefanic’s journey to the big leagues is a testament to his perseverance. Undrafted in 2018 after playing at Westmont College, he took the initiative to send video of his play to all 30 MLB teams in hopes of being noticed.
Stefanic now joins a crowded infield depth chart with players like Ernie Clement, Davis Schneider, Spencer Horwitz, and Addison Barger. The Blue Jays are also expected to remain active in the free-agent market in the coming months, although it remains to be seen if any big names will be added to the roster.
In the meantime, Stefanic will have the opportunity to showcase his skills during spring training in February. If he performs well, the Blue Jays could offer him a major-league contract, depending on available roster space.