Gabriel Moreno’s arrival was delayed owing to visa concerns, since he trained out of his agent’s complex in Venezuela during the offseason and lockout, and was prohibited from contacting the team for nearly 100 days.
The 22-year-old catcher landed in Dunedin on Thursday after an ever-changing ETA, embassy visits, and overseas flights.
As Moreno talked to the media for the first time since joining Blue Jays camp, other young Blue Jays pointed over at him.
Even as he walked past, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. turned around and grinned at the young top prospect, a position Guerrero had only three years ago.
Moreno arrived at camp after traveling for a week from Venezuela to Colombia to obtain his travel permit.
Players and teams would normally have the entire summer to arrange and secure travel permits in a normal season, but the lockout barred organizations and 40-man roster players from speaking for 99 days.
Yimi Garca, a reliever, was also delayed due to visa concerns.
The 22-year-old is one of Toronto’s four catchers on the 40-man roster.
Because Alejandro Kirk, Reese McGuire, and Danny Jansen are all fighting for playing time, and Moreno’s preseason schedule has been pushed back, the young backstop is projected to start in Triple A.
Before fracturing his thumb in June, Moreno played only 37 games in Toronto’s upper minors, compiling a 1.060 OPS.
Gabriel Moreno Contract
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Gabriel Moreno to a one-year, $700,000 contract, with $700,000 guaranteed.
Gabriel Moreno Salary and Net Worth
Gabriel Moreno earns an annual average salary of $700,000. He has a net worth of $500,000