The Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent outfielder Conner Capel to a minor-league deal on Tuesday that includes an invitation to major-league camp in spring training. Capel will give the Reds some minor-league depth heading into the 2024 season. The 26-year-old played in 32 games for the Oakland Athletics last season, going 19-for-73 (.260) with no home runs, five doubles, three RBI, five stolen bases and six runs scored. The left-handed hitter slashed .252/.346/.402 with nine home runs, 47 RBI, 17 stolen bases and 55 runs scored while playing for Triple-A Las Vegas down on the farm. Capel made his big-league debut in 2022 with the St. Louis Cardinals and also spent 13 games with the A's that year. He has three home runs, 14 RBI and six stolen bases in 54 games played in the majors the last two years.
Oakland A's outfielder Conner Capel is hitting fifth and playing right field Monday against the Cleveland Guardians. Capel has appeared in two games so far this season but has made just four trips to the plate, going 1-for-4 in that time with a pair of strikeouts. The 25-year-old enjoyed a productive MLB debut last season between the A's and Cardinals, hitting .308 with three homers, one steal, and an .875 OPS across 22 games played. He also clubbed 10 homers with 21 stolen bases across 94 games at the Triple-A level between the two organizations.
The St. Louis Cardinals selected the contract of outfielder Conner Capel on Monday. Capel and right-handed pitcher James Naile both had their contracts selected to take the roster spots of outfielder Harrison Bader and right-handed starter Jack Flaherty, both of whom were placed on the injured list. In 252 plate appearances with St. Louis' Triple-A club this season, Capel is batting .271 with a .361 on-base percentage, nine home runs, and a career-best 16 stolen bases. He's likely only an option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues at the moment but could be worth a look at some point in more standard-sized leagues if he can continue to contribute home runs and stolen bases.
Conner Capel
• RF
•
Reds
