SF Giants reportedly reunite veteran minor league catcher after brief stint in 2024

The San Francisco Giants have reportedly made a strategic move to bolster their catching depth ahead of the 2025 season. According to Ari Alexander of KRPC2 News, the team has signed veteran minor league catcher Logan Porter to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. This marks a reunion for Porter, who briefly spent time in the Giants’ organization in 2024 after a midseason trade with the Kansas City Royals.

Porter, 29, brings with him a wealth of experience at the minor league level, particularly in Triple-A. His signing is part of the Giants’ ongoing efforts to secure additional catching depth as they navigate a critical offseason. With key players and positions up for evaluation and potential change, adding a veteran like Porter provides them with a reliable option who is familiar with the organization and has proven to be a productive presence behind the plate.

Porter’s brief tenure with the Giants in 2024 came after a trade in June, when San Francisco acquired him from the Royals. At the time, the Giants were looking to address a shortage of depth at catcher, particularly in the upper minors. Porter was performing well in Triple-A for the Royals, posting a slash line of .319/.428/.575 with six home runs and 22 RBIs in 138 plate appearances. These numbers indicated that Porter could be a valuable asset as both a catcher and a potential bat off the bench, especially given the Giants’ injury concerns at the position.

Before the trade, Porter had spent most of his career in the minor leagues, with brief stints in the majors. His most notable time in the big leagues came with the Royals in 2023, when he was called up for a short period, appearing in 38 plate appearances. However, despite his solid performance in Triple-A, Porter found himself buried on the Royals’ depth chart, with established veteran Salvador Pérez firmly entrenched as the team’s starting catcher, and Freddy Fermín emerging as a capable backup. Porter’s lack of opportunities in Kansas City led to his eventual trade to the Giants.

For Porter, the move to the Giants presented an opportunity to re-enter the major leagues. At the time of the trade, the Giants had been dealing with injury woes at the catcher position. Starting catcher Patrick Bailey was sidelined with a concussion, and backup catcher Tom Murphy was recovering from a knee injury. Given the precarious situation at the position, Porter’s arrival was seen as a necessary move to provide some depth behind the plate.

However, despite the opening at catcher, Porter’s time with the Giants did not lead to a significant role at the major league level. He spent the remainder of the 2024 season with the Sacramento River Cats, the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate, where he posted a solid but unspectacular .716 OPS in 85 plate appearances, hitting two home runs and driving in seven RBIs. While these numbers weren’t bad, they didn’t warrant a promotion to the big leagues, especially as the Giants were trying to balance their roster and focus on more immediate needs.

In late July, Porter exercised an opt-out clause in his contract, which allowed him to pursue a potential opportunity elsewhere if he wasn’t added to the 40-man roster. The Giants chose not to promote him, and as a result, Porter became a free agent. Shortly thereafter, he signed a major league deal with the New York Mets. Unfortunately, his stint with the Mets mirrored his experience with the Giants in that he was not recalled to the majors, and he spent the remainder of the season with the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate. After the 2024 season concluded, Porter elected free agency once again.

Now, Porter has returned to the Giants on a minor league deal with a chance to compete for a role in the organization’s catching corps during spring training. The Giants have made it clear that their top catcher moving forward is Patrick Bailey, who has established himself as the primary option at the position. Bailey, who had a breakout season in 2024, is considered one of the team’s cornerstone players and the future of the catching position. However, there are still questions surrounding the team’s depth behind Bailey, particularly with regard to Tom Murphy and Blake Sabol.

Murphy, who was originally acquired from the Seattle Mariners prior to the 2023 season, has had a somewhat turbulent tenure with the Giants due to injuries. His knee issues have been a concern, and the Giants will need to evaluate whether he can continue to handle the physical demands of catching at a high level. Despite his experience and leadership, Murphy may not be the most reliable option going forward, particularly given his injury history. With that in mind, bringing in a player like Porter, who has spent significant time in Triple-A and has experience in the major leagues, adds a layer of security to the position.

Blake Sabol, another catcher on the Giants’ 40-man roster, has had a mixed performance as a catcher. While Sabol has shown flashes of offensive promise, the team has reportedly shifted away from viewing him as a future primary catcher. Instead, Sabol may transition into more of a utility role, potentially filling in as an outfielder or designated hitter, depending on the team’s needs. As a result, the Giants are seeking more reliable catching depth, which is where Porter comes into play.

The return of Porter could also be viewed as a low-risk, high-reward signing. While it’s unlikely that he will break camp with the team as the starting catcher, he offers significant experience in the minors and can serve as an important piece for the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate. The Giants will likely use Porter as a depth piece, allowing him to provide stability behind Bailey and serve as an emergency backup in case of injury or poor performance from their other catchers.

Porter’s ability to handle a pitching staff, work behind the plate, and contribute offensively at the minor league level makes him a valuable asset to the organization. Given the uncertainty surrounding Murphy’s health and Sabol’s future at the position, the Giants could lean on Porter as a reliable depth option should they encounter unforeseen challenges at catcher. Having a veteran like Porter, who is familiar with the team and the organization’s expectations, could be crucial if the Giants face another round of injuries or need additional reinforcements during the 2025 season.

As the offseason progresses, it’s clear that the Giants are committed to maintaining depth and flexibility at every position. With Porter now back in the fold, the team has added another experienced player who can provide support and stability in an area that has sometimes been problematic for them in recent years. While the primary focus for the team remains on the continued development of Patrick Bailey, Porter’s return ensures that the Giants have a safety net in place should they need to make adjustments throughout the year.

Ultimately, Porter’s return to the Giants organization speaks to the team’s commitment to building depth across the roster. Even though the primary catcher position is locked down by Bailey, the backup and depth options at catcher remain fluid. The addition of Porter offers the Giants an experienced hand behind the plate, someone who is familiar with the organization and can step in if necessary. While he may not be the long-term answer at the position, Porter represents a smart and low-risk addition to a team that is trying to balance youth and experience as they move forward into the 2025 season.