The Nationals introduced at this time that catcher Jorge Alfaro has cleared outright waivers and elected free company. Alfaro had the choice to reject an outright project as a participant with greater than 5 years of service time. He has now performed simply that and is free to signal with any membership.
The 32-year-old joined the Nationals in early September after opting out of a minor league contract with the Brewers. He had spent the complete 12 months to that time on the Triple-A stage, and his time with Washington represented his first big-league motion since 2023. In 39 plate appearances throughout 14 video games, Alfaro solely batted .256/.256/.308 with a 54 wRC+. He struck out an alarming 35.9% of the time and didn’t draw a single stroll. That got here in a small pattern dimension, after all, however they’re in keeping with Alfaro’s profession metrics. Throughout 9 seasons within the majors, he has struck out 34% of the time and posted a stroll price of 4.1% with an 86 wRC+. Whereas catching is usually a weaker offensive place, Alfaro’s output nonetheless grades out as under common.
Alfaro’s protection additionally left lots to be desired. Though he had an above-average pop time, Statcast rated his framing, throwing, and blocking negatively in 2025 (albeit in simply 91 2/3 innings behind the plate). Alfaro has by no means been a lot of a blocker, however he did grade out positively for his framing and throwing as not too long ago as 2021 with the Marlins. Defensive metrics are difficult, significantly in small samples, however it seems as if his present output each offensively and defensively limits Alfaro’s ceiling to that of a backup. His numbers at Triple-A this 12 months, together with an 88 wRC+ in 326 PA, are usually not significantly better.
Alfaro now joins a comparatively skinny group of free agent catchers, headlined by J.T. Realmuto, Victor Caratini, and Danny Jansen (whose mutual possibility might be declined). Realmuto might be 35 firstly of the 2026 season and is displaying indicators of decline, posting a 94 wRC+ and -2 Defensive Runs Saved for the Phillies this 12 months. Caratini was a median hitter for the Astros in 2025 however was valued at -5 DRS regardless of solely catching 49 video games. Jansen, who additionally posted roughly common offense, was a 98th-percentile blocker this 12 months, however nicely below-average as a framer (ninth percentile). It’s a skinny group, and groups are at all times in want of catching assist, so Alfaro figures to latch on someplace as a depth possibility — doubtless on a minor league deal.
Photograph by John Jones, Imagn Pictures
