Atlanta Braves fans, circle the name Jose Azocar. The outfielder has agreed to a minor league contract with the team, meaning he’ll be in camp as a non-roster invitee, as first reported by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball.
A Speedy Option for a Loaded Outfield
The Braves are adding depth to their already strong outfield with a player known for his speed and defensive versatility.
- Azocar had a brief stint with the Braves earlier this season, appearing in two games.
- He spent the majority of 2023 in the Mets organization, batting .241 at Triple-A Syracuse.
- While not a power hitter, Azocar is a plus runner and capable defender in all three outfield positions.
- With four established outfielders already on the roster, Azocar faces an uphill battle to make the major league team.
Azocar’s time in Atlanta this year was fleeting. He signed a big league deal on May 30 but saw action in only two games as a late-game substitute, going 0-for-1 at the plate. Before that, the Venezuela native played in 12 games for the Mets, earning five starts and hitting .244 with a stolen base.
After being released by the Braves in mid-June, Azocar returned to the Mets organization and finished the season with Triple-A Syracuse. There, he batted .241/.314/.352 across nearly 300 plate appearances, stealing 17 bases. However, it was his third consecutive season with below-average offensive production. Over five Triple-A campaigns, he’s maintained a .276/.318/.416 batting line, and a career .244/.290/.319 average in 418 MLB plate appearances.
What’s the biggest question surrounding Azocar’s potential? He isn’t projected to offer much in the way of power, but his exceptional speed and ability to play all three outfield positions make him a valuable asset. Defensive metrics back this up; Defensive Runs Saved rates him as an average defender in over 1,000 innings, while Statcast’s Outs Above Average grades him four runs above par, with much of that value stemming from his 2022 season with the San Diego Padres where he appeared in a career-high 98 games.
The Braves currently have a crowded outfield, with Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Mike Yastrzemski, and Jurickson Profar all but guaranteed roster spots. Mauricio Dubón, Eli White, and Vidal Bruján are out-of-options players who could also compete for a bench role. Bruján’s split contract could make him vulnerable to waivers, but Azocar would still be sixth on the depth chart. Breaking camp with the major league team seems unlikely unless an injury occurs during Spring Training, and he’s expected to begin the season with Triple-A Gwinnett.
