With the start of Spring Training just around the corner, let's take a look at three Atlanta Braves minor league signings from this offseason that you should be watching for across the coming weeks ahead, as well as why.
3 Atlanta Braves minor league signings to watch during Spring Training
RHP Taylor Widener
We begin with a right-handed pitcher in Widener, who originally signed a minor league deal with the Braves back on December 11.
Widener, a 29-year-old right-hander, comes to Atlanta after spending the 2023 season in Korea by playing in the KBO, splitting time between the NC Dinos and Samsung Lions. Prior to 2023 however, Widener was a long-time member of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, where he spent three seasons in the major leagues from 2020-22.
A former 12th round pick from the 2016 MLB Draft, Widener owns a combined 4.26 ERA across 49 appearances at the major league level, 13 of which were starts in 2021. Across those 107.2 IP, the right-hander also owns a combined 2-3 record with a 109:54 K:BB ratio, and most recently held a 3.63 ERA and 14:5 K:BB ratio across 17.1 IP with the Diamondbacks in 2022.
Widener now joins the Braves organization with a notable amount of MLB experience, as well as the potential to be either a starter or reliever. The Braves could potentially use the right-hander in a few different ways during Spring Training, making Widener an intriguing name to watch for, even despite likely beginning the year in Triple-A.