How has this former AL batting champion performed in Triple-A so far this season?

While it technically happened after the 2024 season began, arguably the Atlanta Braves most notable minor league free agent signing from this past offseason was that of Yuli Gurriel, which came back on April 16.

An eight-year MLB veteran, Gurriel is likely known most from his time with the Houston Astros where he featured as the club's starting first baseman from 2016-22. During his time with the Astros, Gurriel had a combined .284/.328/.448 slash line with 94 HR, 435 RBI, and 23 SB, and was a two-time World Series champion who also won the American League batting title in 2021 with a .319 AVG.

As for last season however, Gurriel would see time with a different team other than the Astros for the first time in his MLB career, as he appeared in 108 games with the Miami Marlins.

However, this would be one of the worst single-season's of Gurriel's MLB career so far offensively, as he slashed .245/.304/.359 over that span with four HR, 29 RBI, and four SB. Posting a .663 OPS, the 39-year-old also had a career-low -0.5 WAR, as well as a career-high 13.4 K%.

Coming off this season as well, Gurriel would go unsigned throughout the 2023-24 offseason prior to signing with Atlanta on a minor league deal April 16, and was after assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett. How has the 39-year-old former batting champion performed since?

How has Yuli Gurriel performed so far with Triple-A Gwinnett?

As of Monday, May 20, Gurriel has appeared in 19 games with Gwinnett, which he has split between playing first base defensively and being the DH. Across that 19-game sample size, Gurriel is slashing .217/.299/.319, and has hit one HR with five RBI.

During that stretch, one in which he is 15-for-69 offensively with a .618 OPS, Gurriel also holds a K:BB ratio of 13:8, and has two doubles, along with one triple.

Yes, it has been a bit of a slow start for Gurriel to the 2024 season, with a possible reason as to why being that he did not see action with the Braves, or any club, during spring training.

However, Gurriel is still a name to watch for going forward, especially considering his MLB experience and proven track record of success in the big leagues.