The Toronto Blue Jays have added another piece of catching depth to their organization, claiming 26-year-old catcher Shawn Ross off waivers from the New York Mets on Saturday. Following the claim, Toronto immediately optioned Ross to Triple-A Buffalo, where he will have an opportunity to continue developing his game and work toward another chance at the major-league level.
The transaction gives the Blue Jays another catcher with professional experience while also providing Ross with a fresh opportunity after moving through multiple organizations during the season.
Although his offensive numbers have been underwhelming, his power potential and experience behind the plate make him an interesting organizational addition for Toronto.
For the Blue Jays, the move carries little risk while giving the organization another player it can evaluate as it continues to build depth throughout its minor-league system.
Ross has already experienced plenty of movement during the 2026 season. The catcher began the year in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and eventually received his first taste of Major League Baseball, appearing in two games for Pittsburgh.
After his brief stint in the majors, Ross was claimed by the Mets, adding another chapter to his professional career. Now, after being placed on waivers by New York and claimed by Toronto, Ross will join his third organization as he continues trying to establish himself as a legitimate major-league catching option.
His immediate assignment to Triple-A Buffalo means the Blue Jays are not rushing him into the majors, instead giving him regular opportunities to play and potentially make adjustments at the plate while continuing to develop defensively.
Offensively, Ross has endured a difficult season across the upper levels of the minor leagues. In 70 games between Double-A and Triple-A, he has hit just .184, recording 13 doubles, 11 home runs and 29 RBIs. The batting average is certainly a concern, but his 11 home runs demonstrate that there is still some power in his bat.
That power could be one of the main reasons Toronto was willing to take a chance on him despite his overall offensive struggles. Ross has also shown some value defensively, throwing out 14 runners attempting to steal this season.
As a catcher, his ability to handle pitching staffs, control the running game and continue improving his receiving and game-calling skills will be important as he attempts to climb back toward the majors.
Ross originally entered professional baseball after signing with the Pirates as an undrafted free agent in July 2022 out of Clarendon Junior College. Since then, he has accumulated considerable experience in the minor leagues, appearing in 285 games over four seasons between the Pirates and Mets organizations.
During that time, he has posted a .189 batting average while collecting 39 doubles, 53 home runs and 148 RBIs. The overall numbers reveal a hitter who has struggled to consistently reach base and produce a high average but has demonstrated legitimate home-run power.
Toronto will now have the opportunity to see whether its player-development system can help him become a more complete offensive player.
A strong stretch with Buffalo could put Ross back on the radar as a potential major-league depth option, especially if the Blue Jays encounter injuries or need additional catching help later on.
The timing of the move also gives Ross a chance to benefit from a change of scenery. After beginning his career with Pittsburgh, briefly reaching the majors and then moving to the Mets, he now enters an organization that can provide him with another opportunity to prove himself.
Being optioned to Triple-A means he should have the chance to receive consistent playing time rather than sitting on a major-league bench, which could be particularly valuable for a young catcher still trying to refine his offensive approach.
The Blue Jays can monitor his progress closely and determine whether his power and defensive ability outweigh his struggles with contact and batting average. If he can improve his command of the strike zone and cut down on his offensive inconsistencies, his home-run ability could make him a more intriguing depth option.
For Toronto, the acquisition is essentially a low-cost bet on upside. Catching depth is important throughout the season because injuries and roster changes can quickly create a need for additional players behind the plate.
Ross already has experience in Triple-A and has reached the majors, meaning he has faced a higher level of competition than many organizational depth players. His experience with two previous organizations also gives him exposure to different development systems and pitching staffs. The Blue Jays will now hope that a change in environment can help him unlock some of the offensive potential suggested by his 53 minor-league home runs.
If he can put together a productive September with Buffalo and carry that momentum into the offseason, he could enter spring training with an opportunity to compete for a larger role.
Ultimately, Ross represents an intriguing developmental project for the Blue Jays rather than an immediate major-league addition. His .189 career minor-league batting average shows that there is plenty of work to do offensively, but his power numbers indicate that he has a skill the organization may be able to build around.
His 53 home runs and 148 RBIs across 285 minor-league games provide evidence that he can produce extra-base damage when he makes contact.
Toronto will now look to help him become more consistent while continuing to evaluate his defensive abilities behind the plate.
With Ross heading to Triple-A Buffalo, the next several weeks could be important in determining whether he can turn his raw power and catching experience into a legitimate opportunity to return to the major leagues.
