The Braves have claimed third baseman Kyle Kubitza off waivers from the Rangers, according to an announcement from Rangers VP of communications John Blake. Texas had designated the 26-year-old infielder for assignment earlier this week. The Braves, too, announced the move, adding that left-hander Manny Banuelos has been designated for assignment.
[Related: Updated Atlanta Braves Depth Chart]
Kubitza is a known commodity for the Braves, who selected him in the third round of the 2011 draft. The Texas State product ranked among the Braves’ top 30 prospects from 2011-14, per Baseball America, but he was traded to the Angels in January of 2015 in exchange for minor league lefty Ricardo Sanchez and minor league right-hander Nate Hyatt. Kubitza’s stock tumbled with the Halos, however, and he ultimately landed with Texas after Anaheim designated him for assignment. In 928 plate appearances at the Triple-A level, Kubitza is a .249/.342/.399 hitter. He’s walked in a strong 11.8 percent of his plate appearances at that level but has also struck out at a 25 percent clip. He has drawn praise in the past for a strong throwing arm and soft hands at third base.
Banuelos, 25, made his big league debut with Atlanta last season. The once-vaunted Yankees prospect managed just a 5.13 ERA in his 26 1/3 innings at the big league level, though, and the 2016 season has been a considerable struggle for him. He’s battled elbow issues this season and is currently on the disabled list with Double-A Mississippi. Banuelos has a collective 5.33 ERA in 50 2/3 innings across three minor league levels this season, and he walked more batters (22) than he struck out (21) in 30 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level.
I remember when this guy was the next best Yankee pitcher…LMAO Prospects
LMAO Yankees pitching prospects. They develop some great relievers but they haven’t developed a decent starting pitcher since Ian Kennedy a decade ago.
His problem was never his talent until this year. He was nowhere close to the same guy in 2015 that he was before all the injuries when he was a top prospect.
I don’t find much humor in a career plagued by arm injuries, but I guess I’m not a POS like you…
It’s true and you know I’m right…
LOL, look at how Wren’s kid is doing too. The Braves needed to get rid of Wren but they have no idea what they are doing now. This only the start of the elbow issues the Braves pitching prospects that they acquired when they traded away the guys Wren drafted. Plenty of post Tommy-john guys they gambled on just to rid themselves of Wren’s draftees.
Wren kids? I think Cobbie’s kids are also below average other than Swanson who hasn’t proved anything either.
Wow you two are idiots.
Good thing no one else agrees with you. The #1 farm system in baseball says otherwise.
Well mid season grades put us at 9th.
Is that the MLB one, cause they’re never that good of lists
#1 farm system lol. keep better track of the rankings
Coming from the worst farm system in league lol. May not be 1. But top 3.
Banuelos on Waivers!!! He’ll go quickly I would imagine.
Padres shud claim him he wud be better than clayton richard or friedrich
Good late-inning bat during opposing pitchers’ no-hit bids.
can the Yankees claim Banuelos?
Yes. But, all the NL teams would have to pass on him first, and then all the AL teams with worse records.
At least the Yankees got one useful reliever out of him. Tough luck for him with the injuries. Wasn’t meant to be I guess.
I wouldn’t call a pitcher with a 4.15 ERA and 6.07 FIP a useful reliever.
It’s not often Future Hall of Famers get exposed to waivers, should be claimed quickly.
Future hall of fame? You know something everyone else doesn’t?
They got a great 3/4 of a season out of him in 2015 which is more than the Braves got out of ManBan.
Banuelos can sign with the “Coulda been, Shoulda been” club, captained by Matt LaPorta.
You do realize he’s 25 years old right? And left handed? He’ll keep getting chances. Doesn’t mean he’ll ever pan out, but he will get more opportunities.
I thought Lastings Millage was the captain?
Milledge? No, I think you meant to type Brandon Wood.