Zane Chavez

ZANE CHAVEZ, CATCHER
Born: December 30, 1986
Height: 5′ 10″
Weight: 200
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Drafted: 19th Round, 562nd Overall, 2005 (Royals) (did not sign)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
College: Indiana State University
Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Chavez was drafted out of high school, but didn’t sign and wasn’t drafted again.  He’s played all or parts of a half dozen seasons in independent ball, as well as spending two years in the Orioles’ system.  He’s reportedly a good receiver and seems to have at least an average arm.  The Pirates signed him to a minor league contract.

2009
IND:  269/332/368, 212 AB, 6 2B, 5 HR, 20 BB, 46 K, 3-5 SB

After college, Chavez was undrafted and signed with New Hampshire of the Canadian-American Association.  He played a few games in the infield, but mainly remained behind the plate.  He threw out a third of opposing base stealers while hitting decently.

2010
IND:  188/263/246, 69 AB, 4 2B, 6 BB, 10 K

Chavez played for Pittsfield and New Jersey, both still in the CAMA, but got into only 23 games total.  He did throw out 47% of base stealers.

2011
IND:  262/325/322, 149 AB, 5 2B, 2 3B, 12 BB, 37 K, 0-1 SB

Spending the season with Grand Prairie of the American Association, Chavez caught 38 games and appeared in 50 overall.  He threw out 40%.

2012
IND:  339/373/498, 245 AB, 23 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 11 BB, 36 K, 1-3 SB

Chavez returned to Grand Prairie, which traded him to El Paso during the season.  He got more frequent playing time, appearing in 70 games total, probably because he had a breakout season at the plate.

2013
R:  231/375/308, 13 AB, 1 2B, 2 BB, 3 K
A+: 
295/390/439, 285 AB, 20 2B, 7 HR, 46 BB, 56 K

The Orioles signed Chavez before the season and he spent much of the year playing semi-regularly in high A.  He continued to hit much better, although he was 26 by this time.  His CS% was 32% on the season.

2014
A+:  302/344/468, 187 AB, 5 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 9 BB, 23 K
AA:  167/245/208, 48 AB, 1 3B, 5 BB, 11 K

The Orioles alternated Chavez between high A and AA, mainly the former.  He played very little after June.  He continued to hit well, at least in high A, while throwing out 26%.

2015
IND:  288/324/373, 306 AB, 16 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 17 BB, 42 K, 2-3 SB

Baltimore released Chavez during spring training and he returned to Grand Prairie.  He hit reasonably well there as the primary catcher.

2016
IND:  260/327/388, 273 AB, 17 2B, 6 HR, 26 BB, 39 K, 5.6 SB

Chavez spent 2016 with Laredo in the American Association, where he was again the primary catcher.  He had a similar season at the plate, while throwing out 35%.

Chavez will go to Altoona, where he’ll probably be the starter early in the year.  The Pirates don’t have any catcher likely to move up to Altoona from Bradenton after having traded Taylor Gushue.  Jin-De Jhang was slated to be the starter in AA, but he was out with an injury at the beginning of the season.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2017: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2013
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2021
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2019
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 8, 2005: Selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 19th round, 562nd overall pick.
February 4, 2013: Signed by the Baltimore Orioles as a minor league free agent.
March 23, 2015: Released by the Baltimore Orioles.
December 21, 2016: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a minor league free agent.