Axiel Plaz
Axiel Plaz
Position: C
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 165 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 08/12/2005
Country: Venezuela
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2022
Bonus: $350,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2026
Minor League Free Agency: 2028
Options Left: 3
Overview
When the Pirates signed Plaz, he was seen as a good defensive catcher with power potential who’d need to show he could make consistent contact. Since he signed, he’s seemed like more of an offense-oriented player.
2022-23
Plaz had a huge debut season in the DSL, albeit an abbreviated one, as he missed about a month with an injury. When he played, he made good contact and showed very good patience. Over half of his hits went for extra bases as he put up a 382/500/706 line. He threw out 35% of base stealers. Plaz did all this despite not turning 17 until the end of the season.
For 2023, the Pirates moved Plaz up to the FCL and he had a completely different season. For one thing, the team seemed reluctant to play him. He saw little action in June, then played just semi-regularly in July and August. He got into a little over half the team’s games in all, more often as DH than as catcher. The Pirates started Plaz 11 times behind the plate. At bat, Plaz struggled badly with swing decisions. He drew a lot of walks, but he struck out in about a third of his plate appearances and batted just .144. He played nearly the whole season at age 17.
2024
Plaz opened the 2024 season back in the FCL, but after eight games there he moved up to Bradenton due to a couple of injuries. He spent the rest of the year there. Plaz showed impressive power, hitting 15 home runs in the equivalent of a little over half a season, and putting up very high exit velocities. He took an all-or-nothing approach, though, that led to a .207 average and a 29% strikeout rate. He drew enough walks to post a marginal .303 OBP. Plaz didn’t turn 19 until the end of the season. His home run total was good for sixth in the Florida State League and his slugging average would have put him third if he’d had enough plate appearances to qualify. The Pirates still seemed reluctant to commit to Plaz as a catcher. He started only 35 games there for Bradenton, partly but not entirely due to the presence of Omar Alfonzo. The rest of the time he mostly played first. He threw out 25% of base stealers.
Stats
Transactions
January 15, 2022: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.