The Atlanta Braves aren’t wasting any time when it comes to fortifying their depth chart, and the latest move speaks to a front office that knows full well how quickly the game can change.
Atlanta has quietly signed former first-round pick Jordan Groshans to a minor league deal, assigning him to Triple-A Gwinnett. It’s the kind of transaction that flies under the radar, until, of course, it doesn’t. Groshans, who made a brief 17-game appearance with the Marlins back in 2022, is a utility infielder by trade, with experience at third base and shortstop. He’s not the flashy signing fans write home about, but he’s exactly the kind of player that becomes essential when the roster starts taking hits.
Versatility and Pedigree Make Groshans a Low-Risk, High-Upside Option
Groshans may not have lit up the stat sheet in his major league debut (batting .262 with a .619 OPS and just one extra-base hit), but he showed a spark in last spring’s Cactus League action, hitting .353 with a 1.097 OPS across 16 games for the Royals. That kind of production, however short the sample size, is hard to ignore. The challenge, of course, has been staying healthy. Groshans missed a chunk of last season with an injury, which undoubtedly stalled his trajectory. But at 24, he still carries the pedigree and versatility that make him a worthwhile investment.
Braves Brace for Early-Season Stretch Without Ha-Seong Kim
And the Braves have taken hits. Ha-Seong Kim, their big-ticket offseason addition, underwent surgery on his finger and is now expected to miss the early part of the season, though reports are optimistic he could return by May. In the meantime, Mauricio Dubón is poised to step in, a move the team had apparently been prepared for even before Kim’s signing. Jorge Mateo, another recent addition, offers speed and solid defense. Meanwhile, Nacho Alvarez Jr. lurks as an intriguing in-house option.
Minor League Depth Could Be Crucial Come Midseason
Still, depth is never a luxury; it’s a necessity. This is a classic “just in case” signing, and for the Braves, it’s a wise one. In a long 162-game grind, these depth moves often end up being the difference between treading water and staying afloat. A minor league deal today might be the roster patch you’re desperately searching for in June.
