Blue Jays Sign Infielder Michael Stefanic to Minor League Deal

The Toronto Blue Jays have reached an agreement on a minor league contract with infielder Michael Stefanic. The news was shared by Stefanic's agent, Nate Heisler of Klutch Sports, on X (formerly Twitter), while Stefanic himself expressed gratitude to the Angels and their fans on Instagram, along with his excitement for this new opportunity with Toronto.

Stefanic's Career Background
Stefanic, who will turn 29 in February, began his professional career as an undrafted free agent in 2018 when he signed with the Los Angeles Angels. Despite a clear lack of power, he quickly garnered attention in the minors due to his exceptional plate discipline and versatility in playing multiple positions. In 2021, he demonstrated his potential by posting a .336/.408/.493 line with 17 home runs, significantly higher than his previous totals. This performance earned him a 132 wRC+, indicating he was 32% better than the league average.

Ranked as the #22 prospect in the Angels’ system by Baseball America going into 2022, Stefanic made his Major League debut that year. Over the past three seasons, he accumulated 264 plate appearances in the majors, with an 8.7% walk rate and a 15.2% strikeout rate. However, his lack of home runs resulted in a modest slash line of .232/.317/.275 and a 72 wRC+.

Despite limited major league success, Stefanic continued to excel in the minors, achieving a combined line of .349/.444/.456 and a 133 wRC+ over the past three years.

New Opportunity with the Blue Jays
After exhausting his final option year in 2024, Stefanic was passed through waivers and outrighted by the Angels last month. The Blue Jays have now offered him a non-roster invitation to spring training. With experience playing every position on the diamond except for center field and catcher, Stefanic has the potential to secure a utility or bench role with Toronto.

​This new chapter with the Blue Jays presents a promising opportunity for Stefanic to leverage his versatility and continue his professional growth.