Braves sign Skye Bolt to a minor league contract

The Braves have recently signed outfielder Skye Bolt to a minor league contract. He made his spring training debut as a defensive replacement in today’s exhibition game against the Tigers.

Bolt, 30, is seeking to return to the majors for the first time since 2022. Between 2019 and 22, the North Carolina native appeared in parts of three major league seasons for the two Bay Area organizations.

Bolt spent the majority of his time with the A’s in the final two seasons, hitting.198/.259/.330 in 42 games. He has a.156/.205/.266 hitting line in 187 big league plate appearances.

As one might assume, Bolt has performed better in Triple-A. In four seasons at that level, the switch-hitter had a.298/.388/.483 batting line. That has primarily occurred in favorable hitting environments in the Pacific Coast League. He was not as efficient with Milwaukee’s top farm team last year.

Bolt has above-average speed, which matches his moniker. He can play all three outfield positions and has earned a good number of walks in the minors, albeit with little power. It’s unlikely he’ll make the Opening Day roster, but he’ll provide depth at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Atlanta’s starting outfield of Jarred Kelenic, Michael Harris II, and Ronald Acuña Jr. is established, but their best depth choices lack MLB experience.

The other outfielders on the 40-man roster, Forrest Wall and J.P. Martínez, have combined for 32 major league games.

The Braves have added a few non-roster players to potentially compete for a fourth outfield spot. Leury García, Jordan Luplow, Eli White, Luis Liberato, and Luke Williams are all involved big league camp.