The Blue Jays have continued their spree of minor-league signings this week by inking outfielder Ryan Kalish to a similar deal. The 26-year-old was drafted by the Red Sox in the ninth round of the 2006 draft and impressed in the minor leagues before making his major league debut in 2010. It didn't go so well. The lefty had a 87 wRC+ in 53 games and didn't get another chance with the Red Sox until 2012 where he struck out a quarter of the time and played some rough defence.
After a few shoulder and neck surgeries in 2013, Kalish was non-tendered at the end of the year and signed with the Cubs. He broke camp with the North-Siders and had an okay start to the season before fading and being sent to the minors in August. After electing free agency in November, Kalish likely held out for the slim hopes of a big league contract but eventually settled on this deal with the Blue Jays:
#bluejays announce they've signed outfielder Ryan Kalish to a minor-league deal w/ invite to ST. Kalish spent 2014 in Cubs' system.
— Brendan Kennedy (@BKennedyStar) December 17, 2014The California native was consistently rated as one of the top prospects in the league before reaching the majors where it all seemed to go wrong thanks to shaky play and serious injuries. This signing goes along with the other minor-leagues deals handed out by the Blue Jays this week to Daric Barton, Wilton Lopez, Caleb Gindl, and Jake Fox.