The Atlanta Braves make some roster news today by claiming Nick Solak off waivers from the Chicago White Sox.
The #Braves today claimed OF Nick Solak off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 18, 2023
The former 2016 second-round pick from the New York Yankees has bounced between several organizations. He was sent to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 as apart of three team deal that also included the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Rays would then send him to the Texas Rangers a year later for Pete Fairbanks.
In Texas, Solak would finally reach the major leagues in 2019. It was a great debut for Solak, as he would hit .293/.393/.491 with 5 HR, 19 R, 17 RBI, & 2 SB across 33 games and 135 plate appearances. This included an impressive .375 wOBA & 126 wRC+. The Rangers thought they had a player for the future but he struggled to replicate that success over the next few years.
From 2020 through 2022, Solak would appear in 220 games, with 839 plate appearances, hitting .246/.317/.354 with 16 HR, 98 R, 76 RBI, 17 SB, .298 wOBA, & 88 wRC+. He never found that early success from his first 33 games.
That lead to him being sent off this past offseason, as he was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds on November 10th, 2022. The Seattle Mariners would then purchase him on March 31st, 2023. They attempted to sneak him through waivers but he was claimed by the Chicago White Sox on April 14th, 2023.
Now, on April 18th, 2023 the Braves grab him off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and will option him to Gwinnett. He is a solid depth option to have in the organization, as he has spent time playing second, third, left field, and center field in his major league career.
Maybe the Braves can unlock some of the potential that was seen in Solak in his minor league days. A solid pickup for the organization.