Tag: minor-league deal

Red Sox bring Isaiah Campbell, Bryan Mata back on minor-league deals after non-tendering them

The Red Sox have re-signed pitchers Isaiah Campbell and Bryan Mata to minor-league contracts, as was first reported by MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo. The pair of right-handers will remain with the organization for the time being after being designated for assignment and subsequently non-tendered by Boston on Friday.

Campbell and Mata were designated for assignment on Tuesday after the Red Sox added prospects Hunter Dobbins and Jhostynxon Garcia to their 40-man roster. Though neither was tendered a contract and was granted free agency on Friday, Cotillo notes that Boston remained interested in keeping both Campbell and Mata in the organization. The club was able to secure new deals that include non-roster invites to major-league spring training with each pitcher, though they could both generate interest in next month’s Rule 5 Draft.

If they remain with the Red Sox through the winter, however, both Campbell and Mata should have a chance at competing for a spot on Boston’s Opening Day roster this coming spring. They can otherwise serve as depth pieces at Triple-A Worcester if they do not break camp with the big-league club in March.

Campbell, 27, was acquired from the Mariners for infielder Luis Urias last November. On the heels of a successful rookie campaign with Seattle, the Arkansas product got his 2024 off to an encouraging start by compiling a 2.08 ERA through five relief appearances (4 1/3 innings) on Boston’s season-opening west coast road trip. He then surrendered nine total runs (eight earned) in back-to-back blowups against the Orioles at Fenway Park before being placed on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement on April 12.

Following a lengthy stint on the injured list, Campbell returned to the majors on June 24. He yielded three earned runs in one-third of an inning against the Blue Jays. That proved to be his final big-league outing of the season, as he was optioned to Worcester shortly thereafter and was then shut down with right elbow inflammation in late July. Altogether, he posted a 6.20 ERA in eight appearances (6 2/3 innings) for the Red Sox and a 2.20 ERA in 14 appearances (16 1/3 innings) for the WooSox this year.

Mata, meanwhile, was once regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in the organization after originally signing with the Red Sox as an international free agent coming out of Venezuela in January 2016. Equipped with an electric pitch mix, the 25-year-old righty spent four seasons on Boston’s 40-man roster without making his major-league debut due to various injuries and instead exhausted all of his minor-league options in that time.

After opening the 2024 season on the injured list with a right hamstring strain, a rehabbing Mata proceeded to forge a 4.37 ERA over 22 2/3 innings across four minor-league levels. He re-joined Worcester in late June as part of his comeback attempt but was unable to take the next step to the majors due to a bout with right elbow soreness that landed him on the 60-day injured list in July.

This offseason, Mata has been pitching for the Navegantes del Magallanes of the Venezuelan Winter League. Coming into play on Saturday, the Maracay native owns a 2.70 ERA with one strikeout to one walk in four relief appearances (3 1/3 innings) for the Valencia-based club.

(Picture of  Isaiah Campbell: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox sign former Royals utility man Nate Eaton to minor-league deal

The Red Sox are in agreement on a minor-league contract with free-agent utility man Nate Eaton, as was first reported by MLB.com’s Jon Morosi. The deal includes an invite to big-league spring training and guarantees $780,000 if Eaton reaches the majors.

Eaton, who turns 28 next month, was originally selected by the Royals in the 21st round of the 2018 draft out of Virginia Military Institute. He debuted for Kansas City in 2022 and appeared in 72 games over parts of two seasons before spending the entirety of the 2024 campaign with Triple-A Omaha.

Offensively, Eaton is a lifetime .201/.266/.283 hitter with four doubles, three triples, one home run, 13 RBIs, 18 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, 12 walks, and 51 strikeouts in 178 career plate appearances at the major-league level. After going just 4-for-53 (.075) with the Royals in 2023, the right-handed hitter was designated for assignment and subsequently outrighted off Kansas City’s 40-man roster last November. He then slashed .252/.299/.439 with 30 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, 60 RBIs, 65 runs scored, 27 stolen bases, 27 walks, and 108 strikeouts in 116 games (464 plate appearances) for the Omaha Storm Chasers this past season before electing free agency.

Elsewhere, Eaton is known for his defensive versatility and speed. With Omaha this year, the 5-foot-10, 200-pounder made 40 starts at third base, 32 starts in left field, 12 starts in center field, nine starts in right field, and two starts at second base. In his two seasons with Kansas City, he saw playing time at third base and all three outfield spots

In his rookie season two years ago, Eaton ranked in the 100th percentile of all major leaguers in arm strength by averaging 98.1 mph on his throws. To complement that, his sprint speed ranked in the 97th percentile at 29.6 feet per second in 2022 and in the 96th percentile at 29.5 feet per second in 2023, according to Baseball Savant.

Though he has two minor-league options remaining and hits from the right side of the plate, Eaton does not necessarily have a clear path to a big-league roster spot with the Red Sox. He does, however, possess a unique skill set that could help him stand out at camp and — in all likelihood — with Triple-A Worcester to begin the 2025 season.

(Picture of Nate Eaton: Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

After one season in Red Sox organization, hard-throwing pitching prospect Bryce Bonnin signs minor-league deal with Rangers

After spending the 2024 season in the Red Sox organization, free agent right-hander Bryce Bonnin signed a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers last week, according to the MiLB.com transactions log.

Bonnin, 26, joined the Red Sox on a minors pact just days after being released by the Reds in early March. A former third-round draft selection of Cincinnati in 2020, the Texas Tech product opened the season on High-A Greenville’s 7-day injured list with a rotator cuff issue that cost him the entirety of the 2023 campaign.

Upon being activated in late April, Bonnin proceeded to pitch to a 4.04 ERA (3.92 FIP) with 40 strikeouts to 16 walks over 19 relief appearances (35 2/3 innings) for the Drive in which he held opposing hitters to a .164 batting average against. He spent nearly two weeks on the injured list in May but bounced back after that and was later promoted to Double-A Portland on August 20.

In three outings (one start) with the Sea Dogs, Bonnin allowed four earned runs on seven hits, four walks, and eight strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. Altogether the righty forged a 4.29 ERA (4.36 FIP) with 48 strikeouts to 20 walks in 22 appearances (42 innings) between Greenville and Portland this season. Opponents batted just .181 against him.

Among the 60 Red Sox minor-leaguers who threw at least 40 innings in 2024, Bonnin ranked fourth in batting average against, sixth in swinging-strike rate (18.4 percent), eighth in line-drive rate (18.4 percent), 11th in WHIP (1.12), and 19th in strikeouts per nine innings (10.29) and strikeout rate (27.6 percent). On the flip side, however, he ranked 35th in ERA, 40th in FIP, xFIP (4.32), and walks per nine innings (4.29), and 41st in walk rate (11.5 percent), per FanGraphs.

In the process of putting up those numbers, Bonnin peaked as the No. 48 prospect in Boston’s farm system, per SoxProspects.com’s rankings. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound hurler sat in the mid-90s and reached 98-99 mph with his fastball while also mixing in a slider and changeup. He elected minor-league free agency earlier this month and was once again not on the open market for very long.

Bonnin becomes the latest Red Sox minor-league free agent to switch organizations this winter, joining the likes of fellow righties Jason Alexander (who signed a minors pact with the Athletics) and Justin Hagenman (who signed a one-year major-league deal with the Mets). It seems likely that Bonnin will start the 2025 season with the Rangers’ Double-A affiliate in Frisco, Texas.

(Picture of Bryce Bonnin: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Red Sox sign veteran catcher Seby Zavala to minor-league deal

The Red Sox signed free-agent catcher Seby Zavala to a minor-league contract on Monday, per the club’s MLB.com transactions log. The deal presumably comes with an invite to major-league spring training.

Zavala, 31, is a veteran of five big-league seasons who originally broke in with the White Sox in 2019. The San Diego State product spent four years with Chicago before being claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks last September. He appeared in just seven games for Arizona and was then dealt to the Mariners as part of the Eugenio Suarez trade in December.

Serving as early-season depth behind starter Cal Raleigh to open the 2024 campaign, Zavala batted .154/.214/.282 with two doubles, one home run, two RBIs, four runs scored, three walks, and 16 strikeouts in 18 games (43 plate appearances) for the Mariners before being designated for assignment on June 18. The right-handed hitter subsequently cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma, where he slashed .188/.325/.376 with seven doubles, four home runs, 16 RBIs, 17 runs scored, 16 walks, and 43 strikeouts over 33 games (123 plate appearances) in between emergency call-ups. He then elected free agency in October.

All told, Zavala owns a lifetime slash line of .205/.271/.342 with 23 doubles, 15 home runs, 56 RBIs, 59 runs scored, one stolen base, 40 walks, and 200 strikeouts in 194 career big-league games (557 plate appearances) between the White Sox, Diamondbacks, and Mariners. In 255 career games at the Triple-A level, the Texas native has hit .223/.305/.425 with 53 doubles, 43 home runs, 119 RBIs, 131 runs scored, one stolen base, 96 walks, and 343 strikeouts over 1,017 total trips to the plate.

Though he has never been considered much of an offensive threat in the majors, Zavala does bring value defensively. Last year, for instance, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound backstop ranked in the 87th percentile of all MLB catchers in blocks above average and the 77th percentile in framing, per Baseball Savant. This past season, he threw out three of 14 possible base stealers with Seattle and three of 32 possible base stealers with Tacoma.

Zavala, who does not turn 32 until next August, figures to provide the Red Sox with experienced and defensive-minded catching depth at Triple-A Worcester to start the 2025 season. At present, starter Connor Wong and utility man Mickey Gasper are the only two catchers on Boston’s 40-man roster. Top prospect Kyle Teel is on the radar but is not expected to be in the big-league mix at the onset after appearing in just 28 games for the WooSox down the stretch following a mid-August promotion from Double-A Portland.

With trade acquisition Danny Jasen a free agent, the Red Sox — as noted by MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo — are expected to add someone this winter who can be paired with Wong and serve as a bridge to Teel up until he is ready for his MLB debut. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow acknowledged as much at the GM Meetings earlier this month.

“We’ll certainly explore opportunities to get better,” Breslow told reporters (including MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith). “That includes potentially in kind of a backup role to Connor or however things shake out.”

By signing Zavala to a minors pact, Breslow and the Red Sox continue a trend of stockpiling plenty of catching depth within the upper levels of the system. To complement Wong and then-backup Reese McGuire last winter, Boston brought in Gasper, Tyler Heineman, Roberto Perez, and Mark Kolozsvary as depth options. Eight different players ended up catching for the WooSox at different points this past season.

(Picture of Seby Zavala: Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Red Sox purchase contract of righty Danny Kirwin from Oakland Ballers

The Red Sox have purchased the contract of right-hander Danny Kirwin from the Oakland Ballers of the independent Pioneer League, per an announcement from the club.

Kirwin will take a physical in Fort Myers, Fla. on Wednesday and is expected to join Boston’s Low-A affiliate in Salem, Va. once his signing becomes official, according to The Athletic’s Melissa Lockard. He becomes the first member of the newly-launched Ballers to have his contract purchased by a major-league organization.

Kirwin, 24, originally signed with the Ballers in December after spending five years at Rider University. Despite posting a 2.32 ERA with 67 strikeouts to 36 walks over 25 appearances (50 1/3 innings) and earning MAAC Relief Pitcher of the Year honors in 2023, the hard-throwing righty went undrafted.

Instead, Kirwin pitched for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the MLB Draft League and the Tri-City Chili Peppers of the Coastal Plain League last summer. He then spent his winter working out at Tread Athletics in North Carolina, where he saw his velocity increase considerably.

Last month, Lucas Still — a performance coach at Tread Athletics — posted a video to X (formerly known as Twitter) of Kirwin sitting between 95-97 mph and topping out at 97.7 mph with his fastball while mixing in a slider, changeup, and cutter. Still also posted a pitch metrics report from a recent bullpen session that had Kirwin at 95.1 mph with his four-seamer, 91.8 mph with his cutter, 85 mph with his sweeper/slider, 93.5 mph with his sinker, and 85.5 mph with his changeup.

This past Saturday, Ballers manager Micah Franklin tweeted out a video of Kirwin throwing up to 98 mph during one of his bullpens. The Red Sox, as noted by Lockard, caught wind of that video and wasted little time in reaching out and securing the 6-foot-2, 205-pound hurler’s services.

(Picture of Danny Kirwin: Rider University Athletics)

Former Red Sox OF prospect Albertson Asigen signs minor-league deal with White Sox

Former Red Sox outfield prospect Albertson Asigen signed a minor-league contract with the White Sox on Saturday, per MiLB.com’s transactions log. He has been assigned to Chicago’s Low-A affiliate in Kannapolis, N.C.

Asigen, 22, was released on Wednesday as part of a larger series of minor-league cuts made by the Red Sox. The Dominican Republic native originally signed with Boston for just $10,000 as an international free agent coming out of Puerto Plata in October 2019.

Because the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor-league season, Asigen did not make his professional debut until July 2021. He spent the first two years of his pro career in the Dominican Summer League, batting .297/.397/.402 with seven doubles, seven triples, two home runs, 39 RBIs, 56 runs scored, 16 stolen bases, 42 walks, and 55 strikeouts over 77 total games spanning 310 plate appearances.

Last June, Asigen made the jump stateside by opening his 2023 campaign in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. The right-handed hitter appeared in 14 games for Boston’s Fort Myers-based affiliate, going 14-for-42 (.333) with two doubles, one triple, five RBIs, 12 runs scored, seven stolen bases, six walks, and five strikeouts before receiving a promotion to Low-A Salem in early July.

With the Salem Red Sox, Asigen slashed .318/.436/.434 with five doubles, two triples, two homers, 12 runs driven in, 22 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, 24 walks, and 42 strikeouts across 42 games (156 plate appearances). Among the 151 hitters Carolina League hitters who made at least 150 trips to the plate last year, he ranked 20th in walk rate (15.4 percent), second in batting average, third in on-base percentage, 20th in slugging percentage, 10th in OPS (.870), 22nd in speed score (7.6), first in line-drive rate (31 percent), and fourth in wRC+ (153), per FanGraphs.

On the other side of the ball, Asigen saw playing time at all three outfield positions while with Salem. The stocky, 5-foot-10, 175-pounder logged 170 innings in left, 15 innings in center, and 157 1/3 innings in right. He recorded a total of four outfield assists while committing three errors in 57 defensive chances.

Despite producing relatively strong offensive numbers last season, it is worth noting that — between the FCL and Salem — Asigen posted a .434 batting average on balls put in play, which suggests that he may have been the beneficiary of good luck throughout the year. That could have played a role in the Red Sox electing to cut Asigen, though it’s certainly possible he requested to be released in an effort to find more playing time elsewhere.

Asigen, who turns 23 in late August, was never viewed as a top Red Sox prospect but will now look to start anew as a member of the White Sox organization. The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, who also play in the Carolina League, are slated to open their season on Friday. Depending on how things shake out there, it should be interesting to see if Asigen can work his way up to High-A at some point in 2024.

(Picture of Albertson Asigen: Kelly O’Connor/sittingstill.smugmug.com)

Former Red Sox catching prospect Stephen Scott signs minor-league deal with Tigers

Former Red Sox catching prospect Stephen Scott signed a minor-league contract with the Tigers on Friday, per MiLB.com’s transactions log. The 26-year-old has been assigned to Detroit’s Double-A affiliate, meaning he will open the 2024 season with the Erie SeaWolves.

Scott became a free agent earlier this week after requesting and being granted his release from the Red Sox organization. The North Carolina native was originally selected by Boston in the 10th round of the 2019 amateur draft out of Vanderbilt.

Signed for $50,000, Scott initially came up as a first baseman and corner outfielder before transitioning to catching full-time in 2022. Last season, the left-handed hitter batted .235/.350/.462 with 16 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 66 RBIs, 59 runs scored, six stolen bases, 59 walks, and 85 strikeouts in exactly 100 games (403 plate appearances) between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester.

After making the jump from Portland to Worcester in early June, Scott slashed .228/.339/.470 with 11 doubles, one triple, 13 homers, 44 runs driven in, 36 runs scored, two stolen bases, 35 walks, and 51 strikeouts over 63 games (254 plate appearances) with the WooSox. In that time, the 5-foot-11, 205-pounder made 10 starts at first base and 30 at catcher. He threw out just three of 38 possible base stealers while allowing six passed balls in 263 1/3 defensive innings behind the plate.

This spring, Scott received his second straight non-roster invite to major-league camp. He appeared in five Grapefruit League games for Boston, going 0-for-6 with a walk and three strikeouts before being reassigned to minor-league camp on March 6. It seemed as though Scott was ticketed to return to Worcester for the start of the 2024 campaign, but he obviously had something else in mind.

With the external additions of Tyler Heineman and Mark Kolozvary, plus the emergence of prospect Nathan Hickey, Scott would have been buried on Worcester’s catching depth chart. And so, in hopes of finding more playing time elsewhere, Scott and the Red Sox agreed to a mutual parting of ways this past Wednesday.

Scott, who turns 27 in late May, has now found a new opportunity for himself by inking a minors pact with the Tigers. As noted by the Detroit Free Press’ Evan Petzold, the former Arizona Fall League All-Star could serve as Erie’s primary catcher to begin the 2024 season and ultimately work his way back up to the Triple-A level before the year is over.

(Picture of Stephen Scott: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox agree to minor-league deal with former All-Star first baseman C.J. Cron

The Red Sox have agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with free agent first baseman C.J. Cron, as was first reported by MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo. The deal, which includes an invite to major-league spring training, would allow Cron to earn $2 million if he is added to Boston’s active roster and up to $500,000 in performance bonuses, according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier.

Cron, 34, is a veteran of 10 big-league seasons who most recently split the 2023 campaign with the Rockies and Angels. Due to lingering back issues, the right-handed hitter was limited to just 71 games between the two clubs, batting .248/.295/.434 with 12 doubles, 12 home runs, 37 RBIs, 38 runs scored, 17 walks, and 65 strikeouts over 278 plate appearances. He got into just 10 games for the Halos after being traded from Colorado to Los Angeles in late July and ended the year on the injured list.

Despite those disappointing results, Cron is just two years removed from making the National League All-Star team after slashing .257/.315/.468 with 29 homers and a career-high 102 RBIs over 150 games (632 plate appearances) for the Rockies in 2022. That came after he clubbed 28 home runs and posted a career-best .905 OPS in his first season with Colorado in 2021.

For his major-league career, which began in 2014, Cron is a lifetime .260/.320/.471 hitter with 194 doubles, 10 triples, 187 home runs, 604 runs driven in, 470 runs scored, 10 stolen bases, 268 walks, and 928 strikeouts across 1,049 total games (4,043 plate appearances) with the Angels, Rays, Twins, Tigers, and Rockies. In that time frame, the former first-round draft selection out of Utah has forged a .781 OPS against right-handed pitching and an .814 OPS against left-handed pitching, though he has struggled with southpaws to some degree in each of the last two seasons.

On the other side of the ball, Cron has been used exclusively as either a first baseman or designated hitter since debuting with the Angels in 2024. Between Colorado and Los Angeles last year, the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder logged 502 innings at first, where he produced zero defensive runs saved, one out above average, and an ultimate zone rating of 1.3, per FanGraphs.

After losing Justin Turner to the Blue Jays in free agency, the Red Sox came into camp this spring relatively thin on right-handed hitting depth at first base. Bobby Dalbec had been projected to make the team as a backup option behind the left-handed hitting Triston Casas, but Cron now figures to challenge him for that spot in the coming weeks.

As someone who is capable of playing first base, third base, and both corner outfield spots, Dalbec may offer more positional versatility than Cron, but his offensive floor is not at the same level. In addition to spelling Casas at first base when needed, Cron could also take some at-bats away from projected everyday DH Masataka Yoshida (another left-handed hitter) if he were to make the team out of camp.

In the more immediate future, Cron — who is expected to arrive in Fort Myers for his physical in the coming days — will not occupy a spot on Boston’s 40-man roster once his signing becomes official. He will, however, have the ability to opt out of his deal if he is not added to the major-league roster within five days of Opening Day (March 28). That, as noted by Cotillo, is his right as an Article XX(B) free agent.

Dalbec, meanwhile, has one minor-league option remaining. In other words, the 28-year-old slugger could be heading back to Triple-A Worcester (where he hit 33 home runs in 114 games last year) for the start of the 2024 season if he loses out to Cron in this battle for a roster spot at camp.

(Picture of C.J. Cron: Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Red Sox sign former Phillies infielder/outfielder Dalton Guthrie to minor-league deal

The Red Sox have signed free agent infielder/outfielder Dalton Guthrie to a minor-league contract, per the club’s MLB.com transactions log. It feels safe to assume that the deal comes with an invitation to major-league spring training, but Guthrie has nonetheless been assigned to Triple-A Worcester.

Guthrie, 28, is a former 2017 sixth-round draft selection of the Phillies who broke in with Philadelphia in September 2022. The Florida product appeared in 14 games for the eventual National League champions down the stretch that fall and went 7-for-21 (.333) with one home run, five RBIs, three runs scored, one stolen base, six walks, and seven strikeouts.

Last year, Guthrie opened the season with Philadelphia’s Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley before being called up for the first time in late April. In his second stint with the Phillies, the right-handed hitter went 4-for-24 (.167) with one double, four runs scored, three walks, and seven strikeouts over 23 games. He was then designated for assignment in late June and dealt to the Giants for cash considerations shortly thereafter.

Guthrie’s time with the Giants was short-lived, as he got into just nine games for San Francisco’s Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento before yet again being designated for assignment. This time around, Guthrie was claimed off waivers by the Braves, though he did not see any big-league action with Atlanta.

Instead, Guthrie spent the rest of the 2023 campaign with the Braves’ top minor-league affiliate and batted .271/.363/.345 with five doubles, one triple, two home runs, 22 RBIs, 21 runs scored, three stolen bases, 20 walks, and 45 strikeouts in 49 games (205 plate appearances) for the Gwinnett Stripers. He lost his spot on Atlanta’s 40-man roster in August, which allowed him to reach minor-league free agency in November.

All told, Guthrie is a lifetime .244/.393/.333 hitter with one double, one homer, five runs driven in, seven runs scored, one stolen bases, nine walks, and 14 strikeouts in 37 career big-league games (all with the Phillies). In 209 career games at the Triple-A level, Guthrie owns a .289/.357/.434 slash line with 55 doubles, four triples, 16 home runs, 97 RBIs, 117 runs scored, 30 stolen bases, 62 walks, and 117 strikeouts across 856 total trips to the plate.

On the other side of the ball, Guthrie has started games at second base, third base, shortstop, left field, center field, and right field over the course of his career. In his time with the Phillies, the versatile 5-foot-11, 160-pounder logged 65 innings in right field, 57 innings in center field, 22 innings in left field, 7 2/3 innings at third base, and one inning at second base. He posted four defensive runs saved as an outfielder last year alone.

Guthrie, who has two minor-league options remaining, will presumably be aiming to compete for a bench spot on Boston’s Opening Day roster once spring training begins in Fort Myers later this month. He will also be looking to become the second member of his family to suit up for the Red Sox, as his father, Mark, made 46 relief appearances for the club before being traded to the Cubs in August 1999.

(Picture of Dalton Guthrie: Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Red Sox sign Alex Rodriguez’s nephew to minor-league deal

The Red Sox have signed free agent infielder Joe Dunand to a minor-league contract, per the club’s MLB.com transactions log. It is unclear if the deal comes with an invite to major-league spring training, but Dunand has been assigned to Triple-A Worcester.

Dunand, 28, is the nephew of former Yankees star Alex Rodriguez. The Miami native was originally selected by the Marlins in the second round of the 2017 amateur draft out of North Carolina State and broke in at the major-league level in May 2022.

Appearing in just three games for the Fish, Dunand went 3-for-10 with one double, one home run, one RBI, two runs scored, and three strikeouts while seeing playing time at second and third base. The right-handed hitter was designated for assignment shorty after making his debut and was quickly claimed off waivers by the Braves, but he has not seen any big-league action since.

Instead, after subsequently being outrighted off the Braves’ 40-man roster, Dunand spent the entirety of the 2023 campaign with Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett. He batted .268/.362/.481 with 19 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs, 52 RBIs, 49 runs scored, three stolen bases, 45 walks, and 107 strikeouts in 95 games (403 plate appearances) for the Stripers before being granted free agency this past November.

Altogether, Dunand is a lifetime .238/.318/.383 hitter with 97 doubles, 51 homers, 224 runs driven in, 225 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, 178 walks, and 541 strikeouts in 519 career minor-league games (2,057 plate appearances). That includes a .233/.325/.407 slash line in 249 games at the Triple-A level.

Defensively, Dunand has started games at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and left field over the course of his professional career. With Gwinnett last year, the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder logged 299 1/3 innings at first base, 263 2/3 innings at third base, and 47 1/3 innings in left field. He also made 23 starts at DH.

Dunand, who does not turn 29 until September, figures to provide the Red Sox with experienced infield/outfield depth at Worcester this coming season. He has two minor-league options remaining, so that could help his case if he is needed in Boston at any point in 2024.

(Picture of Joe Dunand: Denis Poroy/Getty Images)