Atlanta Braves Morning Chop
Mar 6, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves infielder Pedro Ciriaco (61) trots home from third base after a solo home run during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Braves Sign Pedro Ciriaco to Minor League Deal
DREW SILVA / HARDBALLTALK.NBCSPORTS.COM (from October 19th)
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From
Baseball America
‘s transaction page
the Braves have signed utilityman Pedro Ciriaco to a minor league contract. It presumably will come with an invitation to spring training, where the 29-year-old will try to win an Opening Day roster spot.
Ciriaco batted just .213/.229/.255 with only two extra-base hits in 49 plate appearances this season for the Royals and his career line is .270/.299/.372, but he has played every position except catcher and pitcher.
The Royals cut Ciriaco from their 40-man roster in July and sent him outright to Triple-A Omaha. He elected free agency last week.
[ Editor’s note: after yesterday’s homer, I thought y’all would like to know where this guy came from!
Ciriaco (29-1/2 years old) has bounced around with the DBacks (starting in 2006), the Pirates (2010-11), the Red Sox (2012) and the Royals (2013-14), making the majors briefly in 2010, 11, 12, and 14 – the longest stint being half a season in Boston (2012). Don’t expect that homer thing to be repeated much. He hit a career-high 6 at AAA in 2010, and 4 in his major league career spanning 498 plate appearances.
Ciriaco’s value is in his versatility and speed, plus he can handle a bat well enough. Yesterday’s outburst was quite a bit surprising, though! Ciriaco should still be considered a longshot to make the club. ]