The Blue Jays have signed Gosuke Katoh to a minor-league deal

This was first reported a few weeks ago, but there’s nothing going on as we trudge through the lockout, so we might as well talk about it again.

The Blue Jays announced on Tuesday that they’ve signed utility guy Gosuke Katoh to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Katoh was originally selected by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 2013 draft. He spent seven years in New York’s system before getting let go. He signed a minor-league deal with the San Diego Padres and had a solid season for the organization’s Triple-A affiliate in El Paso.

Over 114 games in 2021, Katoh slashed a .306/.388/.474 line with eight home runs and 27 doubles. He walked 46 times while striking out 84 times.

Gatoh is a left-handed hitter, something the Blue Jays badly need, and he can play first, second, and third base as well and left and right field, so he profiles nicely as the kind of player who can fill a come off of the bench in a pinch.