GOOD NEWS: Braves HC Confirm Another Major Top Star Player Signing Hour Ago

The Braves made a noteworthy move last Wednesday by signing outfielder Jordan Luplow to a minor league deal, as indicated by his transaction log on MLB.com. Luplow, represented by ALIGND Sports Agency, had previously joined Atlanta last offseason but faced a quick designation for assignment before making an appearance in the major league squad. Instead, he spent the rest of the season split between the Blue Jays and Twins organizations.

Beginning his career with the Pirates, Luplow, a third-round pick in the 2014 draft, underwent a series of trades in subsequent years, moving from the Guardians to the Rays and ultimately to the Diamondbacks. His standout performance occurred in 2019 with Cleveland, where he belted 15 home runs in 85 games, exhibiting a solid .276/.372/.551 slash line. However, his fortunes shifted in the following seasons due to a pandemic-shortened campaign, an ankle injury, and a subpar 2022, culminating in a .176 batting average and a .634 OPS over 83 games, leading to his designation for assignment by the D-backs in November.

Following his release, Luplow opted for free agency and inked a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Braves. Unfortunately, he was released just five days into the season after a brief stint at Triple-A Gwinnett. Luplow found a temporary home with the Blue Jays but had limited opportunities at the major league level, playing 48 games in Triple-A Buffalo and only 7 with Toronto. The Twins acquired Luplow after the trade deadline, providing more playing time with 32 big league games over the final two months, but excluding him from the postseason roster in October. Across 39 MLB games last season, he posted a .208 average with a .647 OPS, while his minor league performance included a .237/.342/.418 slash line in 54 contests.

Despite unimpressive offensive numbers in recent years, Luplow has consistently demonstrated a high walk rate and notable success against left-handed pitching, boasting 33 home runs and an .833 OPS in 565 plate appearances. His strong arm and slightly above-average speed further enhance his value as an outfield option.

Although the Braves possess a talented roster, there is potential for Luplow to secure a spot if he excels in Spring Training. Presently, Forrest Wall is slated as the fourth outfielder, but with minimal MLB experience (15 plate appearances), the competition is open. Additionally, with only 12 position players on their 40-man roster, the Braves are likely to make further additions before Opening Day.