On this day in Braves history, Atlanta signs a six-time All-Star to a minor league contract.
On April 18, 2018, the Atlanta Braves made a significant move by signing veteran outfielder Jose Bautista to a minor league contract, marking a notable event in the team’s recent history. Prior to joining the Braves, Bautista had gained recognition throughout baseball during his tenure with the Toronto Blue Jays.
During his time with the Blue Jays from 2008 to 2017, Bautista, a six-time All-Star, showcased his skills, compiling impressive statistics including a .253/.372/.506 slash line, 288 home runs, 766 runs batted in, and 56 stolen bases over the course of a decade. He notably led the MLB in home runs during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
Following the conclusion of the 2017 season, Toronto did not retain Bautista, who then entered free agency. Despite being unsigned throughout the offseason, Bautista eventually inked a minor league deal with the Braves on April 18, 2018, beginning his stint in extended spring training.
After a brief stint in the minor leagues, Bautista was called up to the major leagues by the Braves on May 4, 2018. However, he was tasked with playing third base, a position he hadn’t regularly played since his early days with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the late 2000s, rather than his familiar outfield role.
Bautista’s tenure with the Braves was short-lived, as he appeared in only 12 major league games before being released on May 20, 2018. During this period, he struggled at the plate, registering a combined .143/.250/.343 slash line with two home runs and five RBIs. Additionally, he posted a .933 fielding percentage across eight games at third base.
Following his release from the Braves, Bautista played for both the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies for the remainder of the 2018 season, which marked the conclusion of his impressive 15-year MLB career.