The Kansas City Royals added catcher Elih Marrero to the organization.
The Kansas City Royals have quietly added another layer of depth to their catching group this winter, continuing a trend of stockpiling options at the position as the organization prepares for the 2026 MLB season. According to MiLB’s official transactions log, the Royals signed 28-year-old catcher Elih Marrero to a minor league deal on December 29.
The move did not appear publicly for several days, but it represents another step in Kansas City’s effort to stabilize its Triple-A roster. Marrero joins veteran backstop Jorge Alfaro, who also signed a minor league deal earlier this offseason, giving the Royals multiple experienced catchers to handle innings at the upper levels of the system.
Marrero was originally drafted in the eighth round by the Boston Red Sox in 2018 and has logged more than 300 minor league games in his career. Most of that time has come at the Double-A level, though he has reached Triple-A in each of the past two seasons. His offensive numbers have been modest, with a career batting average of .247 and an OPS of .692, but his defensive talent and experience make him a useful organizational piece. Marrero spent last year in the Texas Rangers’ system, appearing in only 20 games between Double-A and Triple-A before electing free agency.
For Kansas City, the signing is less about immediate major-league impact and more about ensuring stability behind the plate as prospects continue to develop. Salvador Perez remains the veteran anchor of the position, but at 35 years old, the Royals are mindful of managing his workload. He has continued to log more innings at first base along with the occasional start at designated hitter to ease the strain. Carter Jensen, who impressed after making his debut in September of 2025, is expected to compete for a roster spot in spring training.
By bringing in Alfaro and Marrero, the Royals have created a safety net that allows them to ease Jensen into a larger role without rushing other prospects. It also ensures that Pérez has experienced depth behind him should injuries or fatigue become a factor for the aging veteran.
While Marrero is unlikely to push for a big-league job unless he makes significant strides offensively, his addition reflects Kansas City’s broader strategy of building organizational depth. For a team still shaping its roster during a transitional period, these minor-league signings provide insurance and flexibility as the Royals look to balance development with competitiveness in 2026.