The Braves announced Friday that they’ve claimed infielder Jack Mayfield off waivers from the Astros. Lefty Kyle Muller was also selected to the 40-man roster, protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft. The moves bring Atlanta’s 40-man roster to a total of 38 players. Mayfield’s departure drops Astros’ 40-man count to 36.
Mayfield, 30, has seen time with the ’Stros in each of the past two seasons but managed only a .170/.198/.283 batting line through 112 plate appearances at the big league level. It’s obviously a tiny sample of work, however, and Mayfield’s career .268/.325/.472 slash in parts of four Triple-A seasons (1224 plate appearances) creates some more reason for optimism.
With the Astros, Mayfield served as a right-handed-hitting backup at second base, shortstop and third base, grading well defensively at each position. He also still has minor league options remaining, so he could be a depth piece the Braves shuttle between the Majors and Triple-A Gwinnett in 2021 if he survives the offseason on the 40-man roster.
Muller, 23, was a second-round pick by Atlanta back in 2016. He’s long ranked among the organization’s more promising arms and has impressed with a 3.12 ERA and nearly a strikeout per frame in 140 2/3 Double-A innings. However, he’s also been critiqued for sub-par command, and that flaw was apparent in 2019 when he walked 68 batters, plunked another seven and rattled off 16 wild pitches in 111 2/3 frames.
Dang, I wanted the Tiger’s to draft Rule5 Tyler Ivey. It’s looking real hazy now!
Wow when I first read his stats I wasn’t even really sure why he’d get claimed. But lumping his entire minor league career together is misleading… outside of a couple of rough seasons he’s actually put up some impressive numbers in the minors and has a surprising amount of power. Looks like he generally is capable of hitting .285+ with 20-25+ HRs in AAA. I realize he’s not really that young… but if he can translate some of that success to the ML he could be quite the valuable backup INF
Don’t fool yourself. Mayfield was a terrible hitter in mlb, striking out ten times more than he walked, rarely hitting the ball hard. Nice guy, but career minor leaguer.
He’s Mr. March. Great spring training stats, starts sucking as soon as the calendar flips to April.
In other words he can probably hit the random guys that make spring training rosters whom aren’t close to MLB Caliber yet.
Not bad for a rule 5 guy. I like it. Maybe they non tender Camargo and save a buck
He seems more like an Unproven Wanna Be Charlie Culberson
That’s what I was thinking… Culberson’s replacement
He would have been left unprotected anyway. Nice guy, completely overmatched by ML pitching.
The Braves are really pulling away from the competition this off season. Best GM and defin not the most overrated GM in the business.
Big shock you would have something to say. It’s a rule 5 signing. Almost every team does this type of thing. You are the most toxic and negative person on this site lol
TROLL – BLOCK HIS POSTS… OR JUST IGNORE THEM.
I really like the moves you’ve made as a MLB GM as well. You’re right there in the running for GM of the year.
I’m guessing claiming him to try and pass him through waivers. Depth move hopefully and not a 40 man spot for long.
This guy should be released at all costs. Who wants a 30 year old who can not even pass. Just a waste of a place on the 40 man roster.
The Braves will almost assuredly try to slip him off the 40 man at a later date. I don’t have any issues with this type of temporary move.
This isn’t a Rule 5 draft pick. The Braves claimed him off waivers
Not sure how I feel about this. Can’t hit, shows a tiny bit of potential. Braves need OBP champs in the bench, not strikeout kings. That or legit pop. I assume he’s cheap? Might be an alternative to Camargo :/
More like Culberson’s replacement
kevin seitzer’s gonna unlock his powa
Everyone wants to debate whether or not Jack Mayfield sucks Eggs. The #1 story here is Kyle Muller is finally on the 40 man roster. He could have done better than some of the guys we pitched last year but they didnt want to give him a 40 man spot. Once you give someone that spot you cant take it away or they have to clear waivers, so if he couldnt handle it they wouldnt be able to call up Foltynewicz (which was a discussion in the Braves camp).
A Left Handed starter that can hit 100 mph & has a good breaking ball. Has Development to due but could be an amazing Pitcher
Could not agree more. Mayfield is org depth and if he ever makes it to the BRaves they are hurting badly. Muller being on the 40 means they can start using him.
I would have to look at the whole org, but the Braves are going to have a 40-man log jam over the next few years with all the young arms. Maybe they will another move or two to clear that congestion.
Muller has perhaps the best raw talent on an overall deep minor league pitching staff. Big Texan with high 90s FB, good curve and improving changeup. Think Ian Anderson with more velocity throwing from the left side and bigger frame.
2 sport guy in high school (football and baseball) which slowed his development a bit in the minors after being selected in round 2 of the 2016 draft. He might get a taste of MLB next year but more likely to get serious look see in 2022.