Position: C
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 176 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 09/17/2001
Country: Venezuela
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2019
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2023
Minor League Free Agency: 2025
Options Left: 3
Overview
The Pirates signed Planchart at age 17 just before the start of the 2019 season. He’s developed into a solid defensive catcher, but he hasn’t hit the ball with a lot of authority.
2019-21
In his DSL debut, Planchart batted .368 and rarely struck out, but he showed very little power. He threw out 42% of base stealers. He was in fall instructionals in 2019, then served as the primary catcher for one of the Pirates’ two FCL teams in 2021. He hit very well and added some much-needed power. He only threw out 19% of base stealers.
2022-23
In 2022, the Pirates sent Planchart to Bradenton and he had a difficult time. He still drew walks, but he struggled to make any contact at all, much less hard contact, and he had no extra base hits. After 20 games the Pirates sent him to the FCL. Despite walking as often as he struck out, he didn’t hit there, either, in sharp contrast to the previous year. He threw out 29% of base stealers in the FCL and 18% in the FSL.
Returning to Bradenton in 2023, Planchart made some progress. When Wyatt Hendrie moved up to Greensboro early in the season, Planchart took over as the primary catcher. His hitting improved a little, although he still didn’t hit for much power, and his plate discipline was very good. He threw out 33% of base stealers, well above the league average of 22%.
2024
Planchart spent nearly all of 2024 with Greensboro as a backup to Shawn Ross. He continued to show a lot of patience, but he didn’t hit much, especially not for power. His line was 223/350/325. He struck out in a quarter of his plate appearances, which is a lot for a guy not hitting for power. Planchart caught 41 games, throwing out only 15% of base stealers, a considerably lower percentage than Ross or Omar Alfonzo. He also had increased trouble with passed balls. At the end of the season, he got into three games with Altoona.
Stats
Transactions
March 28, 2019: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.