The Braves and infielder José Devers have agreed to a minor league deal, per Aram Leighton of Simply Baseball (X hyperlink) and confirmed by MLBTR. The Rep 1 Baseball shopper will obtain an invitation to main league spring coaching.
Devers, 25 subsequent week, was as soon as a notable prospect however hasn’t been in a position to stay as much as that hype simply but. A global signing of the Yankees, he was traded to the Marlins as a part of the December 2017 commerce that introduced Giancarlo Stanton to the Bronx. The cousin of Rafael Devers, José went on to garner consideration to due his athletic protection and robust contact skills. Baseball America ranked him as one of many high 15 prospects in Miami’s system in 4 straight years from 2019 to 2022.
He was added to the membership’s 40-man roster in December of 2020 to maintain him out of the Rule 5 draft, however a big shoulder problem detailed a lot of his subsequent two seasons. He solely performed 33 video games between the majors and minors in 2021 and underwent surgical procedure in August of that yr to restore a torn labrum in his proper shoulder. The restoration lingered into the subsequent season as he solely performed 60 minor league video games in 2022. He cleared waivers and was outrighted off Miami’s roster on the finish of the 2022 season.
He was caught in Triple-A in 2023 however had an honest marketing campaign there, putting out in simply 14.8% of his plate appearances whereas slashing .276/.352/.421 for a 108 wRC+. However in 2024, he spent a little bit of time on the minor league injured record and solely received into 54 Triple-A video games, hitting .239/.304/.362 for a 74 wRC+. He was briefly added to the membership’s main league roster as they have been taking part in out a misplaced season. He has a line of .244/.300/.311 in simply 50 main league plate appearances to date. He wasn’t on the 40-man at season’s finish and was in a position to elect free company.
For Atlanta, there’s little danger in a minor league deal. Devers has performed all 4 infield positions, primarily up the center. The membership has Ozzie Albies cemented at second base however Orlando Arcia is on shakier floor at shortstop. Nick Allen, Luke Williams and Nacho Alvarez Jr. are on the roster however Devers provides them a little bit of non-roster depth.
Devers’ prospect inventory has pale of late however he’s nonetheless comparatively younger and has been damage for a lot of of his current challenges. If he can keep wholesome and get again on monitor, he nonetheless has an possibility yr and barely a yr of service time, that means he can theoretically be cheaply retained nicely into the long run if he can nab a roster spot.
