Kevin Plawecki was one of those players who will never have reached his full potential. After his debut in the MLB with the Mets in 2015, he had a decent start. But after the 2022 season with the Texas Rangers, he was never able to make it to the Major Leagues. There are various reasons as to why he could never make it back to the MLB. But the news is that as of January 18, 2025, Kevin Plawecki has hung up his boots. He conveyed this through his Instagram post.

This is what his Instagram post said about the news, “As I close the chapter on a playing career I’m excited for what the future holds. I still know I have a lot to give this game which has blessed me with so much, I look forward to joining the Padres as a coach in minor league player development this upcoming season. Thank you for all the love and support over the years! The best is yet to come! See y’all at a stadium near you!” 

The main point besides his retirement in the post is his joining the Padres as a coach in the minor league. So, Plawecki will be coaching the minor league team Arizona Complex League team. The Padres also have revealed the coaching staff for the 2025 season. They will have Kevin Plawecki as an instructor for the Arizona Complex League team.

With this announcement, the story of Kevin Plawecki as a player has come to an end. But a new journey has started as a coaching staff which will hopefully lead to something better.

The career of Plawecki: Marked by triumphs, struggles, and unwavering determination

On January 18, 2025, Kevin Plawecki officially retired from professional baseball at the age of 33, bringing an end to a career that spanned over eight years in Major League Baseball. Drafted by the New York Mets in 2012, Plawecki made his debut in 2015, quickly establishing himself as a dependable catcher with the Mets, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers—teams he spent time with during his longish and somewhat fickle MLB career. For sure, Kevin Plawecki had some great highs and frustrating lows. Perhaps the biggest highlight was in 2020 with the Red Sox, when Plawecki showed what he was capable of and hit .341 in a limited role.

However, despite these flashes of brilliance, Plawecki’s career was often marked by inconsistency. He struggled with offensive production, especially in his later years, and spent much of his time in the minor leagues, attempting a comeback. His inability to maintain consistent performance at the major league level led to his departure from MLB rosters. With a career batting average of .235 and 22 home runs over 449 games, Plawecki’s career was full of moments of promise but ultimately fell short of expectations.

As he steps away from the diamond, the veteran catcher does so with a legacy of resilience, perseverance, and valuable leadership both on and off the field.