The Angels have re-signed catcher Chad Wallach to a minor league contract, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports (X link). Wallach entered free agency after being outrighted off the Halos’ 40-man roster following the season, and it is safe to guess that his new minors deal contains an invitation to Spring Training.
Francisco Mejia was also signed by Los Angeles yesterday on a minor league contract, making this the team’s second catchers to sign in as many days. While Matt Thaiss is expected to start at catcher for the Angels in Spring Training, veteran competition and depth will come from Mejia and Wallach. Logan O’Hoppe is expected to be the team’s starting catcher. Depending on how the rest of their offseason activities go, the Halos may even decide to carry three catchers on the Opening Day roster because Thaiss also has some experience as a corner infielder.
Wallach is well-known in Anaheim, having originally signed with the team in August 2021 after being claimed off waivers by the Dodgers. Wallach has been outright removed from the roster four times by the Angels.
Wallach’s seven-year Major League career, which includes 155 career games and 443 plate appearances with the Reds, Marlins, and Angels from 2017 to 23, is the result of his defence and reputation as a good game-caller. Despite not producing much at the plate, Wallach set new career highs in games played (65) and PA (172) due to the Angels’ catching injuries last season. Wallach has hit.198/.263/.328 with 11 home runs in 443 career PA; seven of those bombs came in 2023.
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