Braves sign former Georgia Tech catcher to minor league deal

According to the Atlanta Braves transaction log, the Braves signed a local product, inking former Georgia Tech catcher Arden Pabst to a minor league deal.

Upon being signed to a deal on March 8th, Pabst was assigned to the AA Mississippi Braves the next day, becoming the fifth catcher on the Mississippi Braves’ roster.

Arden Pabst was a three-year starter with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, having a .248 average and earning four home runs to go along with 19 RBI his senior year.

In his Georgia Tech career, Pabst hit .234, racking up nine home runs and 54 RBI in 124 games.

Pabst was drafted in the 12th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, going to the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 375th overall pick.

For two summers of his collegiate career, Pabst played for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League, logging the most games at the catcher position in both his seasons.

In his two seasons with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks, he posted a .171 batting average, hitting no home runs and earning just five RBI in 51 games.

While making his way across the teams within the Pirates’ minor league system, Pabst played most of his games for the AA Altoona Curve. In 2021 with the Altoona Curve, Pabst batted just .194, hitting seven home runs and earning 28 RBI.

Defensively in 2021, Pabst posted a 22% caught stealing percentage, with 47 stolen bases compared to ten caught stealing. He also posted a .995 fielding percentage and committed two errors.

Oddly enough, he also has pitching experience, having a third of an inning on his resume, facing just one batter to close out a game for Altoona.

In 302 games across the Pittsburgh minor league system, Pabst has slashed .224/.269/.354. Defensively, he owns a 32% caught stealing percentage and a .994% fielding percentage.

On November 12th, 2021, the Pittsburgh Pirates organization announced Pabst’s release.