Former San Francisco Giants catcher has found a new opportunity, agreeing to a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. While His time with San Francisco was relatively brief, this move allows him to stay within the National League West, the same division where he began his major league career, giving him another chance to compete against familiar opponents and possibly work his way back to the big-league roster.
He originally joined the Giants organization when the club selected him in the 2014 MLB Draft. After progressing through the minor league system for several seasons, honing his defensive skills behind the plate and improving his offensive abilities, he finally earned his first promotion to the majors in 2018.
His debut was memorable — in his very first game, Garcia launched a home run, an impressive feat that instantly put him on the radar of Giants fans and coaches. Over the course of his initial stint that year, he posted strong numbers in limited action, recording a .286 batting average, a .309 on-base percentage, and a .492 slugging percentage, along with four home runs and nine runs batted in across just 19 games. Those performances suggested the potential for Garcia to develop into a productive major league catcher.
Although his stay in San Francisco was short and he later spent time with other organizations, Garcia now gets a new chapter with Arizona. A minor league deal typically means a player will begin the season at one of the club’s affiliates, but it also comes with the possibility of being called to the majors if he performs well or if the Diamondbacks need catching depth.
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For Garcia, signing with Arizona is more than just joining a new team — it represents another opportunity to prove he belongs in the majors and continue chasing his career goals.
Former SF Giants catcher Aramis Garcia signs with Diamondbacks
Aramis Garcia’s journey through professional baseball has been filled with shifts, setbacks, and brief bursts of opportunity. After debuting with the San Francisco Giants and giving fans a brief look at his offensive potential, his production dipped during his second year with the big-league club.
In 2019, Garcia remained with San Francisco and appeared in 18 major league contests. Despite the optimism surrounding him after his promising debut season, he struggled to maintain that early momentum. Over those 18 games, his offensive numbers dropped sharply. Garcia finished with a slash line of .143/.217/.310, managing only two home runs and driving in just five runs.
His power occasionally flashed through, but overall, his limited plate appearances highlighted how difficult it can be for young players—especially catchers—to adjust to big-league pitching when their opportunities are inconsistent. His role that season was primarily as organizational depth, filling in when necessary rather than being a regular contributor.
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After the 2019 season, Garcia’s future with the Giants came into question. Following roster decisions during 2020, San Francisco designated Garcia for assignment. Being designated for assignment is often a turning point for players; teams either attempt to work out a trade, place the player on waivers, or potentially remove him from the organization altogether.
For Garcia, it signaled the beginning of a nomadic stretch across the league. After leaving San Francisco, he bounced from club to club in search of stability and another shot at meaningful playing time. He became part of several organizations, spending time with the Oakland Athletics, the Cincinnati Reds, the Philadelphia Phillies, and eventually the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Garcia’s playing opportunities continued to be limited. In 2025, while with the Diamondbacks, he logged only two major-league appearances and came to the plate just four times the entire season. Even though he barely played, his presence had value within the organization. Teams often lean on experienced catchers even if they do not appear frequently at the major-league level. Catcher is a demanding position that combines leadership, game-calling, and defensive responsibilities.
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Because of this, clubs tend to prioritize depth and experience behind the plate. For Arizona, Garcia appears to fit that mold. They likely see him as a dependable depth piece heading into the 2026 season—someone who can contribute in Triple-A, mentor younger pitchers, and be ready for an emergency call-up if injuries or roster crunches occur.
Interestingly, Garcia’s name has popped up in another realm of baseball discussions—not as a player, but as a potential manager. In recent years, several former Giants catchers have been rumored or discussed as managerial material. Because catchers are often viewed as on-field strategists, many transition into coaching or managing roles once their playing days end.
Names like Nick Hundley, Curt Casali, and Guillermo Quiroz have already emerged as either coaching candidates or future possibilities. With so many former backup catchers around Buster Posey being linked to coaching opportunities, it was somewhat surprising that Aramis Garcia did not appear in these conversations.
Considering the traits that teams typically admire in future managers—communication, leadership, understanding of pitchers, awareness of strategy—Garcia fits the profile just as much as the others. He has experience working with multiple organizations, dealing with change, and adapting to various pitching staffs. While Garcia may not yet be in coaching discussions, time has a way of opening doors.
If Tony Vitello, the newly installed manager of the Giants, does not work out in the future, Garcia’s name could surface. By then, he may have transitioned fully into coaching or player development roles. There could even be competition among former Giants catchers. Eli Whiteside, another name tied to coaching intrigue, could be standing on the opposite side of that debate someday. The Giants’ catching tree has grown quite impressively, and Garcia might eventually join the coaching lineage.
Meanwhile, the Giants themselves have made moves to strengthen their own catching depth heading into the next season. San Francisco recently signed Logan Porter to a minor league deal, bringing him back into the system. Catcher depth is a necessity across Major League Baseball. Injuries, heavy workloads, and the physical toll of the position make it one of the most difficult spots on the roster to fill. Teams often carry three or four catchers in spring training, knowing that emergencies can arise at any moment.
The Giants’ catching situation in 2026 appears stable at the top. Patrick Bailey—already known for his defensive excellence and fresh off a Gold Glove season—will once again be the team’s everyday catcher. His throwing ability, pitch-framing skill, and chemistry with the pitching staff have solidified his status as San Francisco’s long-term answer at the position.
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However, the backup role remains somewhat uncertain. The team has strong internal interest in Jesús Rodríguez, a player they acquired in a trade with the New York Yankees. Rodríguez brings intriguing upside, including athleticism and potential offensive growth. Yet, his catching experience is still somewhat limited, and the Giants know he needs more development to become fully reliable behind the plate. With that in mind, adding more experienced catchers for spring training competition seems like a logical strategy.
Because of that, a reunion with Aramis Garcia could have made sense on paper. He knows the organization, understands the pitching expectations in San Francisco, and could have contributed as a mentor or third catcher. But baseball decisions are often influenced by timing, roster priorities, and player preferences. While the Giants chose not to reunite with Garcia, their paths may still cross.
The schedule almost guarantees it. If Garcia remains with the Diamondbacks and contributes at Triple-A or gets promoted during the season, the Giants and the Diamondbacks will inevitably see each other during division play in 2026.
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Baseball always has a way of reconnecting past and present. Garcia may not be returning to San Francisco as a Giant, but he may find himself in the opposing dugout, possibly catching bullpen sessions or even behind the plate in a game.
Garcia’s journey serves as a reminder of how unpredictable a baseball career can be. Once viewed as a promising prospect within the Giants’ system, he now plays the role of a seasoned veteran fighting for opportunities, providing depth, and continuing to write his story across multiple organizations. Whether his next chapter involves catching at Triple-A, returning to the big-league field, or eventually moving into coaching, Garcia has already shown resilience—an essential trait for longevity in the sport.
Perhaps someday, the conversation will shift from “Aramis Garcia, backup catcher,” to “Aramis Garcia, coaching candidate.” Until then, his career continues, one clubhouse and one opportunity at a time.
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