The Atlanta Braves aren’t shy about adding guys, ranked or unranked, who aren’t on everyone’s radar.
Since the Rule 4 Draft was reduced to 20 rounds, players who signed in the late rounds became undrafted free agents (UDFAs).
After the Rule 4 Draft, the Braves signed four intriguing undrafted free agent prospects, including two catchers and two pitchers, so discussing them as a battery makes sense. Check out the players listed below.
Derek Vartanian – RHP – Campbell
The Braves’ lone ranked UDFA is Derek Dewey Vartanian, a 20-year-old, 6ft 4in, 200-pound righthander from Monroe, North Carolina who is placed 500th on Baseball America’s pre-draft list. Vartanian played two seasons pitching for Gaston (N.C.) JC, appearing in 19 games, going 9-1 in 12 starts, and recording two saves while throwing to a 3.08 ERA in 76 innings.
He transferred to Campbell in 2024 and made three starts for the Camels, going 2-1 in 11 innings before being shelved with an injury. Baseball America’s scouting report states that he reached 98 last autumn and struck out 11 versus Ohio this spring, but he lacks consistency. When healthy, Vartanian has a low to mid-90s fastball, a mid-80s slider, and a low-80s downer hook.
Derek Vartanian spun six scoreless innings in which he struck out 11 for @GoCamelsBSB on Friday
The Camels swept the weekend and landed on our College Top 25pic.twitter.com/YaNonB5ygo
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) February 26, 2024
I hope he makes it because baseball needs more traditional baseball names like Dewey Vartanian.
Mac Guscette – C – Alabama
Mac Lyle Guscette (goo-set-y) is a 6-foot, 190-pound catcher for the University of Alabama. The Venice, Florida native spent two years with the Florida Gators before moving to Alabama in 2003.
He hit effectively at Florida but received inconsistent playing time, with 57 games played, 46 of which were starts. He batted 30 times as a sophomore.238 with four doubles and five homers. He moved to Alabama after an old friend, Garrett McMillan, assured him he would receive more playing time there.
Guscette was the Tide’s starting catcher, and his bat caught fire. Guscette batted.291/.384/.460/.844 in 320 at bats over 98 games for Alabama, with 12 doubles and 13 home runs. He has a keen eye for the zone (9.7% K-rate in 2024) and makes a lot of contact. He’s only 22, so he has time to build additional power while focusing on baseball full-time.
Jacob Gomez – LHP – Old Dominion
Jacob Mattew Gomez is a 5’10”, 190-pound lefty from Englewood, New Jersey. Gomez pitched in 74 games for Old Dominion over four seasons, with a 4.30 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, striking out 197 and walking 77 in 180 innings. However, those statistics are highly skewed toward his first three seasons.
This season, Gomez found his stride, pitching to a 2.88 ERA and 1.047 WHIP across 56+ innings in 17 games, striking out 64 and walking 13. According to Old Dominion Sports, his seven saves were third in the Sun Belt Conference, landing him on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s (NCBWA) Stopper of the Year Award Midseason Watch List.
College baseball is right around the corner and here is the first of our 2024 Draft Eligible Players. First up is LHP Jacob Gomez out of Old Dominion. At 5’10 & 198 lbs., Jacob has been a consistent arm for ODU since his freshman year. @d1baseball @winthegrind #pitcher #mlb… pic.twitter.com/HCovZSHm6w
— PrimeAgency (@primeagency__) January 14, 2024
The Outfield Fly Rule’s Andy King reports that Gomez’s repertoire features a four-pitch mix (fastball, cutter, slider, change-up).
Austin Machado – C – Hawaii
Austin James Machado is a University of Hawaii left-handed hitter who stands 6 feet 1 inch and weighs 205 pounds.
After redshirting for two years at St. John’s, where he batted.303/.495/.455/.949 as a sophomore, he transferred to Hawaii in 2024. His bat didn’t appear to mind where he used it when batting.The Rainbow Warriors hit 303/.495/.455/.949 home runs.
The Atlanta Braves categorized the San Diego native as a catcher, although he played DH as frequently as he caught, and the scouting tape shows he might play outfield.
UDFAs are certainly a long shot, but everyone starts someplace. I root for short guys like Gomez, and any team might benefit from a pitcher with three pitches and a fastball that can reach 98 mph.
Machado’s bat sounds intriguing, as does Guscette’s character, who is already setting a good example. Good catchers are always valuable, and those who can hit are uncommon. Here’s hope the Braves discovered a diamond or two.
