The Braves reunited with utility player Luke Williams on a minor league contract, according to the MiLB.com transaction log. He had elected minor league free agency upon being outrighted off Atlanta’s roster at the end of the season.
Williams is back for what’d be his third full season with the organization. The Braves claimed him off waivers from the Dodgers halfway through the 2023 season. They shuttled him on and off the MLB roster over the next couple years. He has generally been the last man off the bench, working as a multi-positional substitute and their usual position player pitcher in mop-up spots.
A former third-round pick of the Phillies, Williams has played parts of five seasons in the majors. He got into 39 contests last year but was only penciled into the starting lineup four times. He batted .129 with a couple doubles in 31 at-bats. The righty-hitting Williams is now a .212/.270/.280 hitter over 349 MLB plate appearances. He owns a .255/.334/.400 slash over five years in Triple-A.
The Braves clearly appreciate Williams’ willingness to play any role off the bench. They signed Jorge Mateo to a $1MM deal to work as a backup infielder behind Mauricio Dubón while Ha-Seong Kim is on the injured list. Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin will split the catching duties. Fifth outfielder Eli White is out of options. If the Braves don’t want to expose him to waivers, they’d have one bench spot available. Nacho Alvarez Jr. has the inside track as the only other backup position player on the 40-man roster.
Good Grief. The no hitting wonder! 🤦🏼♂️
Yeah, I am “Luke-warm” on this signing
Luke, every pitcher is your father
The dude was better as an emergency bullpen guy than as a position player in 2025. He had a positive WAR of 0.1 pitching! 6 innings pitched, 6 hits allowed, only 2 earned runs given up (3.00 era) and 4 k’s vs. 1 walk. Quite effective!
Southi I agree. Luke cannot hit water falling out of a boat. He should convert to a relief pitcher only.
Again?
At least his farther Darth Williams is happy
Wasn’t he one of the Bushwhackers?
Along with cousin Butch who has since passed
Williams can play essentially every position (even pitch) other than catcher. Even if he isn’t a great hitter, that kind of versatility is useful to make the construction of the rest of the bench easier.
AA living up to his name in AA players.
Don’t don’t bother Luke
I’m getting tired of AA!!!
Doesn’t hurt signing
Still need a SP
I don’t understand how they let Peralta slip through their fingers unless AA demanded to talk extension before a trade could be agreed to and Peralta wasnt interested in signing one.
Don’t know who else is out there that would be good & affordable.
Guess we just have to wait and see
Bubic would be awesome but not sure why KC would actually trade him. After that I have no idea who’s a realistic option…All the off-season additions have been pretty good by AA/Braves low budget standards. But that shine is going to wear off pretty quick if we ignore SP.
AA Doesn’t want to give up prospects other teams are asking for. They still need a starter or two. Can never have enough starters
We need to sign Zac Gallen !
Or Bassitt
I wonder if the Braves will carry a third catcher.
Finally…another starter!
After a season with a startling propensity of stranded base runners with none out, why is AA not jumping on signing Arraez as at least a situational PH or even a DH who can get a hit???
They could resign ozunna but Im not sure if he’s a great base runner
I think Marcell may retire. Hard enough for a full time DH with decent production, but his fell off dramatically. JMO.
Thought it said Luke Jackson & i almost had a heart attack.