The Braves introduced Friday that they’ve chosen the contracts of high catching prospect Drake Baldwin and veteran relievers Hector Neris and Enyel De Los Santos. All three have made the Opening Day membership and are actually on the 40-man roster. Atlanta doesn’t must make any corresponding strikes, because the latest
returns of their two Rule 5 picks, this week’s commerce of Angel Perdomo and yesterday’s outright of utilityman Luke Williams cleared a number of spots.
Not one of the three choices registers as a shock. Baldwin, 23, hit .313/.436/.375 in 39 spring plate appearances and was thrust to the highest of the catching depth chart when Sean Murphy suffered fractured ribs early in camp. The 2022 third-rounder is broadly considered one of many sport’s high catching prospects and one of many high 100 farmhands in all the league. Baldwin will get his first alternative and will see the lion’s share of taking part in time forward of backup Chadwick Tromp whereas Murphy mends. Atlanta additionally lately signed James McCann to a minor league deal, however he’ll possible ramp up in Triple-A earlier than he’s actually thought-about an choice.
Neris was a late signal, agreeing to phrases on March 3, and has solely pitched two official innings up to now. He’s gotten work on the again fields and in aspect classes, nonetheless, and figures to get one other inning or two between now and Opening Day. He hasn’t allowed a run in both of his two official appearances to this point.
The 35-year-old righty has an extended monitor report within the majors, primarily with the division-rival Phillies and the Astros. He posted a 1.71 ERA and 31 holds as lately as 2023 in Houston, however he had an uneven exhibiting because the Cubs’ nearer in 2024 earlier than being launched. Neris saved 17 video games with a 3.89 ERA for the Cubs however walked 13.3% of his opponents and likewise blew 5 save alternatives. He had one thing of the other play out in a late-season return to Houston; his 28.1% strikeout charge and three.1% stroll charge in 15 1/3 frames have been sensible … however his 4.70 ERA was lackluster. Total, the veteran righty has a 3.27 ERA in 267 1/3 frames over the previous 4 seasons.
De Los Santos, 25, has had a terrific camp, holding opponents to a pair of runs on simply two hits and a stroll with seven punchouts in 6 2/3 frames. He posted a 5.20 ERA in 64 innings unfold throughout three groups final yr, however he’s a six-year veteran who turned in a mixed 3.18 earned run common in 119 innings for the Guardians from 2022-23. De Los Santos solely has 4.015 years of main league service, so if he bounces again this yr in Atlanta, he’ll be controllable by way of the 2026 season through arbitration.
