The Braves have designated outfielder Peter Bourjos for assignment, the team announced on Twitter. In a corresponding move, southpaw Max Fried has been called up from Triple-A to start tonight’s game against the Cardinals.
Signed to a minor league contract near the end of Spring Training, Bourjos was released by the Braves at the end of April and then quickly re-signed to a new minors deal. The veteran outfielder hasn’t provided much at the plate (.205/.239/.364 slash line in 47 PA), though his primary role in Atlanta has been serving as a late-game defensive replacement, usually in left field.
With Ronald Acuna now back from the disabled list and stepping back into the starting left field role, Bourjos became expendable, though the Braves are likely hoping that he can slip from waivers and remain in the organization as center field depth. Acuna and backups Danny Santana and Charlie Culberson are all imperfect fill-ins behind everyday center fielder Ender Inciarte, while Bourjos has long been a capable-to-very good defender throughout his career.
This is the third time Fried has been promoted to the MLB roster this season, and the left-hander has contributed a 4.09 ERA and 13 strikeouts (plus a troubling seven walks) over 11 innings of work. He has yet to receive an extended look at the big league level either this year or after making his Major League debut in 2017, though Fried could get more of an opportunity now that Brandon McCarthy and Mike Soroka are both on the disabled list. Fried was ranked as a top-100 prospect by Baseball America (which had him 72nd) and MLB.com (83rd) prior to the season.
Deja vu. I’ll predict Bourjos accepts a AAA assignment yet again and will be back on the major league roster (again) before the end of August. Bourjos is to ATL as Gregor Blanco is to SF. Breaking up is hard to do even though it makes perfect sense to do so.
Well we could definitely use him has depth. But it is hard to watch someone get dfa over and over again by the same team. Luke Jackson is another example
Right?!! It seems like yesterday I read that Jackson had been DFAd, and then Snitker brought him in from the bullpen last night. Blew my mind. The results (2 hits, BB, 1 ER in 1/3 of an inning) indicate maybe bringing him back wasn’t the best move.
Jackson had been pitching quite well recently until his last outing.
I think a lot of teams have at least one player they abuse. The Orioles guy this and last season is Pedro Alvarez.
Very true.
I hope Bourjos, for his sake, declines the assignment and moves on. He deserves better than to be passed over by the likes of Danny Santana.
At least Santana can get a hit
yeah, that .257 lifetime avg. is AMAZING!! So is the 4/18 this year. Yes, please tell me all about the great hitting, Danny Santana.
I didn’t say he was good, I said he was better than Bourjos.
No he’s not. Doesn’t have Bourjos speed or defense, and hits just a little better.
When your job is a pinch hitter, you need to be able to hit. And Santana does it better than Bourjos.
Super Facts
When your job is to be a backup outfielder you need to be able to play center. I’m not sure I’d call what Santana does in the outfield “defense”
Yea, well early in the year Bourjos lost me when he duffed a ball in left field, another time threw up the line on a play that he had plenty of time on, and inadequately slid into homeplate with his foot popping up. Speed and defense on paper for nothing for you when you use them poorly in game.
If he “duffed” a ball like you said, he would have an error, which he doesn’t. You know GG Inciarte has 2 errors? I guess he sucks too? Threw a ball up the line? You think every OF makes perfect throws? I saw him throw a perfect ball to get Adam’s at home plate. And about his slide. Gimme a break. 5 years ago, before instant replay, that slide would have been a run, because he was originally called safe. Maybe we should go back and see how many stolen bases should be taken away from Henderson and Brock?
By the way, since Bourjos was brought back up on May 31st, Snitker gave him a whopping 17 at bats. Bourjos hit .353 in those at bats.
With a .239 OBP it’s not really on the Braves.
His last month his OPS is OVER 1.000. 47 PA in 2 months. How do you judge any player on that? I’m not saying he’s good. I’m saying for what he offers, he’s a good utility OF and better than Santana.
The fact that PB has already passed thru waivers prior for the Braves this year and Danny Santana probably would not being 27 y/o and not 31 means the Braves probably made the right choice.
Good write-up except I would like to have seen Fried’s minor league numbers included.
Fried in AAA this year is 2-4 with a 4.29 ERA.. He walks way too many batters.. 19 in 50.1 IP. Does have 51K in those innings.
Right on, thanks! That is way to many walks, major league hitters are more aggressive but they will make you throw strikes. Looks like he has to attack hitters more when he gets ahead since he does have the ability to miss bats.
Very short-sighted. Fried knows his path is assured. He is working on other pitches to become even tougher. That leads to an increase in walks. It happens with many pitchers in minors. . Work on your first two or three pitches until you have them down, then add another. The Braves are not worried at all.
If you want to be worried, worry about a defensive replacement OF on a team with three starting OF’s as good or better defensively. There is absolutely no need for Bourjos on this team. Santana is horrible defensively, but his OBP is nearly 100 points better than Bourjos and that is his role. Quite frankly, the Braves could do better than both as neither is good enough to garner AB’s in MLB. Not sure why you are so in love with him .. and by your comments you would think Bourjos is Joe D.
Bourjos career OBP .296. Santana .293. This season, Santana hasn’t even garnered enough at bats to tell what he is. For that matter, neither has Bourjos, so based on careers, with defense and speed included, I’ll take Bourjos over Santana. Never said Bourjos was “Joe D.” My argument has been to keep him over Santana.
Yawn, slow baseball news day in Braves land.
We need a 8th inning guy
I guess since Fried is on the 40 man already, that’s why you’ll see him instead of Allard. AA needs to seriously improve that bullpen for them to compete all year. Jackson wasn’t good last night, but most Braves fans would probably rather see him and Biddle instead of Moylan and Freeman. It’s gotten tiresome watching these 2 guys consistently fail to get the job done when called upon.
I would much rather see moylan and Freeman, rather than Jackson. Jackson’s sole purpose is a mop up guy.
Have to go outside for talent. Braves affiliates are all losers except Rome. Pitiful.
And what are Moylan and Freeman lol?