SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Kansas City Royals have bolstered their outfield depth, announcing the acquisition of veteran Mark Canha (pronounced CAN-uh) from the Milwaukee Brewers. The deal involves a player to be named later or cash considerations. Canha will make an immediate impact, as he is in today’s starting lineup and will don No. 21 for the Royals.
Mark Canha: A Proven Major League Talent
Canha, 36, brings a wealth of experience to Kansas City with a Major League career spanning 10 seasons. He has played for five teams, including:
- Oakland Athletics (2015–2021)
- New York Mets (2022–2023)
- Milwaukee Brewers (2023)
- Detroit Tigers (2024)
- San Francisco Giants (2024)
2024 Performance Recap
- Appeared in 125 games split between the Tigers and Giants.
- Hit .242 (95-for-393) with 20 doubles, 7 home runs, and a steady presence at the plate.
- Excelled against left-handed pitching with a .275 average (30-for-109) and a .774 OPS in 129 plate appearances.
A Leader in Getting on Base
- Since debuting in 2015, Canha ranks second in the Majors with 138 career hit-by-pitches, trailing only Anthony Rizzo (194).
- Holds franchise records for hit-by-pitches:
- Set an Athletics record in 2021 with 27.
- Set a Mets record in 2022 with 28.
Career Highlights
- Canha’s standout season came in 2019 with Oakland, when he posted career highs across the board:
- .273 batting average
- 26 home runs
- .913 OPS in 126 games.
- A postseason veteran, he has made five playoff appearances:
- With the Athletics (2018–2020), Mets (2022), and Brewers (2023).
This move signals Kansas City’s commitment to adding experienced and versatile players to their roster as they look to compete in the upcoming season. With his combination of power, plate discipline, and leadership, Canha’s addition provides a boost both on and off the field.
