Diamondbacks add OF depth by signing Cristian Pache to minor league deal

The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a minor league contract with strong defensive outfielder Cristian Pache, who received an invitation to major league spring training.

MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert first reported the addition on Thursday.

Pache recently turned 26 years old and was once considered a top 15 prospect in baseball while in the Atlanta Braves’ farm system. Baseball America ranked him the No. 7 prospect in the league before the 2021 season, as he drew lofty Andruw Jones comparisons.

His highly anticipated defense and plus speed have held up as assets in the major leagues, but the bat has not lived up to expectations.

Pache has racked up 18 outs above average and 12 defensive runs saved since his debut in 2020, primarily playing center field. He has an elite arm, among the top 10% in the league, according to Statcast.

And *that's* why Cristian Pache has an 80-grade field tool pic.twitter.com/pzRGCKNuPd

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 20, 2022

His offense has dragged way behind, though, and thus Pache has struggled to stick with an organization. He has already played for five teams.

Pache has a career .181/.243/.275 slash line with seven home runs and 188 strikeouts in 610 plate appearances. He played for three teams in 2024, and his 35% strikeout rate was 11th highest among 380 hitters with 180 plate appearances.

As a right-handed hitter, he has performed better throughout his career against lefties with a still lackluster .669 OPS.

The Braves traded Pache ahead of the 2022 season to Oakland in the package for first baseman Matt Olson. The Athletics shipped him to Philadelphia the following spring, and he played in the 2023 National League Championship Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Pache received one plate appearance (walk) and played a couple innings in Arizona’s Game 7 victory.

Philadelphia traded Pache during the 2024 season to Baltimore with reliever Seranthony Dominguez for outfielder Austin Hays, but the Orioles waived the outfielder after three games. He finished the year with the Miami Marlins and has been playing in the Dominican Winter League this offseason.

Now that's how you play center field, Cristian Pache! 😤 👏 pic.twitter.com/EHPBAQ2Q8a

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 26, 2024

Where does Cristian Pache fit on the Diamondbacks?

Pache adds depth going into spring training for an Arizona outfield group with Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Jake McCarthy, Pavin Smith and Jorge Barrosa on the 40-man roster.

Arizona may push into that depth, as it has listened to trade offers for McCarthy and Thomas while looking to boost other areas of the team. Randal Grichuk is a free agent and could be an outfield departure if he signs elsewhere.

Pache presents the Diamondbacks a different look as a right-handed option among a left-handed-heavy group and with a better arm than what Arizona has on the roster. A trade or injury could move Pache up the ladder for a team that values elite defense and baserunning.

The D-backs have yet to sign a player to a major league contract this offseason, and their lone external addition to the 40-man roster has been reliever Seth Martinez, who was claimed off waivers from Houston.

Earlier this week, the Diamondbacks added infield depth by bringing back Ildemaro Vargas on a minor league deal with a spring training invitation.

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