Minor Leaguer Andy LaRoche Re-signs With Blue Jays

Mar 5, 2013; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Andy LaRoche (left) tags out Baltimore Orioles base runner Luis Exposito during the top of the third inning of a spring training game at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Andy LaRoche‘s time with the Toronto Blue Jays was relatively brief in 2013, consisting of only one one game and four at-bats. However, that hasn’t stopped the third baseman and the team from agreeing on a new minor league deal that will keep LaRoche in the organization for 2014. Matt Eddy of Baseball America was the first to report the new deal, via Twitter.
Other free-agent elects find organizations for 2013: #BlueJays 3B Andy LaRoche and #Diamondbacks C Blake Lalli.
— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) November 2, 2013
The 30-year-old former top prospect was hitless in four at-bats with the big club last season, but LaRoche played a big part as a member of the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo. In 104 games with the Bisons, LaRoche hit .271 with 12 home runs, 51 RBI, and a .772 OPS.
The younger brother of Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche, Andy LaRoche has twice (2006 and 2007) been ranked as highly as #19 on Baseball America’s ratings. However, he’s never been able to translate that to a consistent job at the Major League level. However, he’s made quite the Minor League career for himself, carving out a .283/.368/.484 slashline in 9 seasons in the minors.
As with this season, he’ll serve as organizational depth should an injury arise with the big club, and also help to bring a championship to the Buffalo Bisons franchise next season.