Anthony Bemboom, 33, is signed to a minor league contract by the Detroit Tigers.
Catchers Carson Kelly and Jake Rogers are already on the big league roster of the Tigers. Bemboom will be considered to take over a player’s spot on the roster as a temporary replacement in the event of an injury.
ANOTHER MINOR DEAL: Tigers re-sign Brenan Hanifee to minor-league contract with spring training invite
The seasoned catcher made it to the majors in each of the previous five seasons; however, he only made 22 appearances in 2022 for the Orioles, and in 2023 he played in just six games.Bemboom played for the Orioles in Triple-A Norfolk for the most of the previous season. In 38 games, he had a.288 average, three home runs, 15 walks, and 28 strikeouts.
He has an above-average grade in pitch framing and is a defensive catcher. On offense, he also stays away from chasing pitches outside the strike zone. In 329 games and 1,241 plate appearances during his Triple-A career, he has a.252 batting average and 144 walks to 240 strikeouts.
ANOTHER SMALL DEAL: Ryan Vilade, 24, a former prospect, signs a minor-league contract with the Tigers.
Following his selection by the Los Angeles Angels in the 22nd round of the 2012 draft, Bemboom has played in 11 seasons of professional baseball. He was a competitor for Creighton University and Iowa Western Community College.
Bemboom could develop into a catcher prospect Dillon Dingler’s mentor at Triple-A Toledo. After being promoted from Double-A Erie, Dingler, 25, hit.202 with three home runs, eight walks, and 34 strikeouts in 26 games with the Mud Hens in the previous season. In the middle of November, he was added to the 40-man roster. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was the first to report on the agreement between the Tigers and Bemboom.