The Braves recently signed outfielder Skye Bolt to a minor league contract. He made his Spring Training debut as a defensive replacement in today’s exhibition matchup with the Tigers.
Bolt, 30, is looking to get back to the majors for the first time since 2022. The North Carolina product appeared in parts of three big league campaigns with the two Bay Area franchises between 2019-22. Bolt saw the majority of his action with the A’s in the final of those seasons, hitting .198/.259/.330 over 42 games. He carries a .156/.205/.266 batting line over 187 big league plate appearances overall.
As one would expect, Bolt has turned in better numbers in Triple-A. The switch-hitter owns a .298/.388/.483 slash over four seasons at that level. That has mostly come in favorable hitting environments in the Pacific Coast League. He wasn’t as effective with Milwaukee’s top farm team a year ago, posting a .257/.359/.367 line in 64 contests.
Bolt has above-average speed befitting his name. He’s capable of playing all three outfield positions and has generally drawn a decent number of walks in the minors, albeit without much power. It’s very unlikely he snags an Opening Day roster spot, but he’ll add a depth option at Triple-A Gwinnett.
Atlanta’s starting outfield of Jarred Kelenic, Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr. is entrenched, yet their top depth options are light on MLB experience. Forrest Wall and J.P. Martínez, the other outfielders on the 40-man roster, have combined for 32 big league games. The Braves have added a handful of non-roster players to potentially push for a fourth outfield role. Leury García, Jordan Luplow, Eli White, Luis Liberato and Luke Williams are all in big league camp.
MysteryWhiteBoy
maybe they’ll catch lightning
Canuckleball
Now all they need to do is sign Grounde Nut and they’ll have a matching pair…
Baseball sure has some kooky names
Smacky
Heard that the Oklahoma City Thunder were in on him too.
VonPurpleHayes
He sounds like 2 American Gladiators combined.
ChipotleFlavoredChrist
“Our challengers will be taking on Skye and Bolt in our next area. The Forrest Wall”
cash3w
Nitro will be waiting for him in the eliminator.
ChipotleFlavoredChrist
Assault was the best event. I always wanted to shoot that giant nerf turret they had.
cash3w
I never thought I’d discuss American Gladiators on a baseball site, but here we are. I also wanted to shoot the assault gun. Per the link below, I had no idea it shot tennis balls at 80mph. It seems unfair for the challenger, as they had the option of moving stations and throwing tennis balls by hand or shooting the equivalent of a Nerf bow and arrow at a big distance. However, there was the occasional “air jam” assault gun vulnerability that evened the playing field.
en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/9989482
ChipotleFlavoredChrist
I feel like everyone wanted to see a competitor whip a tennis ball hard as fudge and take out the gladiator. The gladiator dudes had such terrible motor skills when it came to shooting, I just wanted some lanky mf’er to sidearm rocket a tennis ball right through the loading circle thing knock Gemini out.
chasecrane888
Dang I miss that show. I gotta see if it’s streaming somewhere now.
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
Usain Bolt’s brother from another mother?
Buzzz Killington
Now I didn’t do a DNA test or a whole lot of research but based on my observations that is likely not the case.
BannedMarlinsFanBase
Hmmm…what makes you so sure from observation? With a name like that, could be from a very diverse family. Heck, with their names, they both can be two of Zeus’ many many many many illegitimate kids.
ChipotleFlavoredChrist
Maybe he ran back in time and usain is actually his father?
BannedMarlinsFanBase
That may be the missing piece for a DC/Marvel film with the Flash and Spider-man trying to align the parallel multiverse. Of course, Loki and General Zod will get in the way.
Fraham_
Traded for Nomar Mazara; one of the greatest trades ever
Datashark
he has a hall of fame name just needs to step up his game
slowcurve
I’ll take Incredible Baseball Names for 2,000, Alex.
BannedMarlinsFanBase
A guy with a superhero name joins a team with a bunch of superhero players.
BannedMarlinsFanBase
Can he have superhero music as his walkup song?
acoss13
The Avengers theme kicks in as his walk up song!
BannedMarlinsFanBase
That’s exactly the song I was thinking.
WestVillageTiger
The coolest name in baseball…
baseballteam
Isn’t skye bolt what went wrong with the aircraft doors recently?
FarmCatArmy
Hah
letsholdemandgohome
General Manager said we can sign just one more player so Skye’s the limit
FatChance65
Any relation to Sky Low Low?
Old York
Guy doesn’t steal a lot of bases. With a name like that, he should be stealing at least 50 per season.
Pass…
FarmCatArmy
Didn’t he open for Winger in 92
layventsky
If Moniker Madness were still a thing in the minors, this guy would be a top contender.
Dubbs
Dope name
Flanster
I’ve heard that his speed is electrifying
Non Roster Invitee
Forever Giant!
The all time one AB with the Giants team.
Krr104
When this guy starts mashing in the minors the Braves better reach for the Skye.