The Toronto Blue Jays are quietly bolstering their catching depth ahead of spring training - and while it won’t make front-page headlines, it’s a move that speaks volumes about how the club is preparing for the long haul of a 162-game season.
Alejandro Kirk and Tyler Heineman are still expected to anchor the catching corps when the season opens. Kirk remains the everyday starter, and Heineman, coming off a surprisingly productive campaign that saw him post 1.9 bWAR, is penciled in as the backup. But at 34 years old and with a career total of 2.6 bWAR, there’s always the question of whether Heineman can replicate that level of performance - or stay healthy over the grind of the season.
Enter the insurance policy.
The Jays already have 25-year-old Brandon Valenzuela in the system - a prospect they’re high on - and they’ve brought in a crowd of non-roster invitees, most of whom were signed to minor-league deals this offseason. Just before pitchers and catchers report, they added one more name to the mix: William Simoneit.
The 29-year-old Simoneit signed a minor-league contract with the club, officially recorded Friday and later reflected in the league’s transaction log. He’s a veteran of the affiliated minors, with four seasons under his belt across the A’s, Phillies, and Cubs organizations. Over 302 games, he’s put together a .246/.343/.397 slash line with 27 homers and 153 RBIs - solid production for a catcher, especially one that’s bounced around the farm systems.
Last year, after being released by the Cubs at the end of spring training, Simoneit found himself in the independent Atlantic League. That’s a tough path, but it also speaks to the kind of grinder mentality that teams appreciate in their depth pieces. He’s primarily been a catcher throughout his career, with only limited time at first base since 2023, so there’s no ambiguity about where he fits defensively.
Now, let’s be clear - Simoneit isn’t walking into camp with a real shot at cracking the Opening Day roster. He’s likely fourth or fifth on the depth chart among the catching newcomers.
But spring training has a way of reshuffling expectations. A couple of standout games at the plate, a strong rapport with pitchers, and suddenly a guy like Simoneit starts turning heads.
That’s the beauty of camp - it’s part competition, part audition, and full opportunity.
Still, barring injury or a major surprise, Simoneit remains a long shot to make his MLB debut with Toronto this season. But his presence adds another layer of depth to a position that often gets tested more than teams anticipate. And in a game where durability and depth can swing a season, the Blue Jays are making sure they’re covered behind the dish.