Atlanta Braves Spring Minor League Cuts Affect Big Names

Atlanta Braves Minor League Cuts

The Braves have been making plenty of news for the guys they cut from the major league team like Nick Swisher, but many have missed that there were many notable Braves minor leaguers released by the team during the course of the spring. There will be more to come for sure, so I will be sure to update this post with those who are announced in the next week before minor league opening day on April 7th. This is a quick round up of those guys you may have heard of before in the system that have received their walking papers, some of whom were part of my top 100 prospect list over the offseason:

Seth Webster, RHP

After being signed from independent ball, he simply went out and was arguably the most valuable pitcher in Carolina. His deceptive arm angles and incredible mix of pitches should allow him to possibly do well in the bullpen. He’ll definitely get another shot elsewhere. I had him as my #50 prospect. 2015 stats: 3.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 10/103 BB/K ratio over 135 2/3 innings.

Chris O’Dowd, C/OF

Acquired from the Rockies in the trade for David Hale, O’Dowd hit incredibly well for Mississippi before he was suspended for use of performance enhancing substances. He had moved off of catcher before his suspension to the outfield. He was rated my #57 prospect in the system. 2015 stats: .304/.429/.468 and 18/19 BB/K in 98 plate appearances for AA Mississippi.

Jose Morel, OF

Signed out of the Dominican Republic at 16, Morel’s simply never got the power going in 5 seasons in the Braves system. That said, his hit tool has been very solid, and he flashed a solid arm in the outfield as well and is only 21. I had him at #70 in the system. 2015 stats: .313/.372/.390 with 17/48 BB/K over 216 plate appearances for Danville.

Jake Lanning, 3B

Lanning was the Braves’ 24th round selection last year. He played a solid third base, and showed some solid offensive skills. I had him #87 in the Braves’ system. 2015 stats: .273/.345/.341 with 13/38 BB/K over 148 plate appearances in Danville.

Jorge Zavala, RHP

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Signed by the Braves out of Honduras, Zavala had a big season last year in his second full season as a reliever, both of which have been tremendous. I had him #96 in the system. 2015 stats: 2.28 ERA, 1.52 WHIP over 33 appearances and 43 1/3 innings with a 26/55 BB/K ratio with Rome and Carolina.

Blair Walters, LHP

The Braves signed Walters out of independent ball in 2014 and he pitched well in high-A the last two seasons as an org lefty, so this was a surprise release to me as Walters ate up innings as a lefty. 2015 stats: 3.13 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 135 innings, 40/85 BB/K BB/K ratio with Carolina.

Andy Otero, LHP

The diminuitive (5’9″) lefty from Panama was an IFA signing in 2008, and he’s worked his way through the system as a reliever, having his best year last year, which is why his release is surprising. 2015 stats: 2.58 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 34 appearances, 59 1/3 innings, 16/53 BB/K ratio with Carolina.

Yean Carlos Gil, LHP

Signed from Venezuela at 18, Gil has been an inning eater for the Braves ever since, if one with a low-ceiling and more of an org-filler profile. 2015 stats: 4.69 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 27 starts, 155 1/3 innings, 45/101 BB/K between Rome and Carolina.

Tanner Krietemeier, 1B/OF

The Braves’ 23rd rounder in 2014 from Oklahoma State University is a solid defensive 1B with the ability to handle corner outfield, though he’s not a power guy. After a .400 OBP in 2014, his patience fell off heavily. 2015 stats: .241/.301/.319 with 18/51 BB/K over 299 PA for Rome and Carolina.

KD Kang, OF

After signing as a minor league FA, Kang performed well as the cleanup hitter for Mississippi in 2015. .269/.346/.383 with 45/110 BB/K over 445 PA with Mississippi.

David Rohm, OF

Drafted in the 9th round in 2010, Rohm has developed as a tremendously skilled defensive right fielder, but never seen his offensive game come around. 2015 stats: .259/.331/.312 over 359 PA with Mississippi.

David Holmberg, LHP

Signed as a minor league free agent over the offseason, it was surprising to see the team let Holmberg go already. 2015 stats: 4.96 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 57/86 BB/K ratio over 27 games and 148 2/3 innings between AAA and Cincinnati.

Bryan De La Rosa, C

De La Rosa was the Braves’ 3rd round pick in 2012. His defense was supposed to be his calling card, but he’s taken big steps backward in that department, losing out time to Tanner Murphy last season. 2015 stats: .205/.277/.322 with 24/75 BB/K over 315 PA with Rome.

Sean Furney, RHP

Acquired from Arizona for cash last spring, Furney had a solid season in Rome, but he could not continue that success to Carolina, and at 24, the Braves likely saw no room for Furney. 2015 stats: 3.76 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 27 games, 141 1/3 innings, 52/78 BB/K ratio between Rome and Carolina.

Next: Avoided April Fools Headlines

Others Released

LHP Ben Libuda, C Alejandro Flores, RHP Ian Stiffler, 1B Jeff Campbell, 3B/RHP Dylan Manwaring, RHP Monte’ Reese, LHP Bryan Morgado, 2B Eric Garcia, 1B Jordan Lennerton, RHP Ethan Martin, LHP Phil Coke, RHP Connor Little, RHP Dakota Dill, RHP Dustin Emmons

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Atlanta Braves Minor League Cuts Reveal Some Big Names