The Atlanta Braves made a few roster moves before the MLB Lockout began, a majority of which were minor league deals.
While the Atlanta Braves are currently unable to make transactions at the major league level until the MLB Lockout ends, minor league transactions are able to be made. The Braves have made a total of seven minor league free agent signings so far this offseason, some of which came before and after the lockout began.
The Atlanta Braves have signed seven minor league free agents so far this offseason.
Here is a look at all seven of the Atlanta Braves minor league free agent signings so far this offseason.
RHP Darren O’Day
Undoubtedly the most-notable minor league free agent signing by the Braves so far this offseason was bringing back Darren O’Day, a veteran reliever who pitched in Atlanta in 2019-20 where he held a combined 1.25 ERA with a 28:6 K:BB across 21.2 innings.
The 39-year-old spent the 2021 season with the New York Yankees where he posted a 3.38 ERA across 10.2 innings, and elected free agency back on November 4. O’Day signed with the Braves on November 29 where he was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett shortly after, but the veteran reliever should see time in the big leagues in 2022 at some point.
RHP Rob Griswold
One of the more-intriguing minor league moves so far this offseason was the Braves signing Griswold, a former two-way player at LIU who spent time in Independent Ball in 2021.
A reliever in college, Griswold held a combined 2.17 ERA across 63 appearances at LIU, and then posted a 3.34 ERA across 32 relief appearances with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League in 2021. Signed by the Braves on November 28, the 23-year-old was activated by the FCL Braves shortly after.
C Ryan Casteel
The Braves re-signed Casteel back on November 29, a player who has spent the past three season’s in the Atlanta organization. A 30-year-old catcher, Casteel slashed .224/.299/.417 across 68 games with Triple-A Gwinnett with eight home runs in 2021.
INF Jordan Cowan
The most-recent signing came earlier this week when the Braves signed Cowan, a former 37th round pick by the Mariners back in 2013. Cowan appeared in 83 games with Double-A Arkansas in the Mariners organization in 2021 where he slashed .258/.367/.366 with four home runs, 24 RBI’s, and 18 stolen bases.
RHP Juan Mateo
The first of Atlanta’s notable minor league signings came back on October 10 when the Braves signed Mateo, and assigned the right-hander to Low-A Augusta. Making his professional debut during the 2021 season with the ACL Indians, Mateo posted a 5.10 ERA across 22 relief appearances.
RHP Francisco Romero
One of the most-recent Braves minor league signings came back on December 13 when Atlanta signed Romero. There is not currently a scouting report/statistics on Romero, but is a player to watch going forward.
2B Jalen Miller
Claimed by Atlanta off waivers in December of 2020, the Braves re-signed Miller back on December 3 after the 24-year-old posted a .646 OPS across 76 games with Double-A Mississippi this past season. A former third round pick by San Francisco back in 2015, Miller was assigned to Double-A Mississippi shortly after.