D-backs sign C Aramis Garcia, INF Connor Kaiser to minor league deals with spring training invite

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed catcher Aramis Garcia and infielder Connor Kaiser to minor league contracts with invitations to major league spring training, the Reno Aces announced Saturday on X.

Garcia was a second-round pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2014. Since making his major league debut in 2018, the righty-hitting catcher has played in parts of five MLB seasons with the Giants, Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies, slashing .211/.248/.325 with 10 home runs and 25 RBIs in 119 games.

Garcia spent most of his 2024 season with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, slashing .159/.216/.279 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs in 76 games. The 31-year-old was called up on Sept. 7 by the Phillies where he appeared in three games before being designated for assignment.

Kaiser was a third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018. Since being drafted, the 27-year-old has spent most of his time in the Pirates, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies minor league systems. He appeared in three games with the Rockies in 2023 before being optioned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. 

Kaiser played in 90 games with the Isotopes in 2024, slashing .221/.343/.339 with six home runs and 21 RBIs.

The D-backs add infield depth after the departure of Kevin Newman who signed with the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday.