Braves bring in Eric Young Jr. on minor league deal

The Braves have been handing out minor league deals/spring training invites left and right this offseason, and while most of those signings have seemingly been made with a "let's see if they show something in Spring Training and if not, oh well, it's a minor league deal" mentality, this next particular signing could possibly contribute to the Major League team this season. The Braves have added Eric Young Jr. on a minor league deal.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Braves?src=hash">#Braves</a> agree to terms w/ OF Eric Young Jr. (<a href="https://twitter.com/EYJr">@EYJr</a>) on a 1-year minor league contract for 2015 &amp; invitation to Major League spring training</p>&mdash; Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/566360615695155202">February 13, 2015</a></blockquote>

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What makes this move a bit interesting is that Eric Young could definitely prove to be a somewhat useful player for the Braves. While Young is absolutely not a good hitter (he's a career .252/.320/.332 hitter with .294 wOBA, 77 wRC+, and only 8 HRs), he's got loads of speed (stole 46 bases in 2013 and 30 last season) and is a positive defender in the outfield (had 5 DRS and 8.8 UZR last season). He'll probably be battling with Zolio Almonte for a spot in the left field platoon with Johnny Gomes and could also prove to be a useful player off the bench as either a defensive substitute or pinch runner.

Again, since he's on a minor league deal, expectations shouldn't be too high. With that being said, the Braves have just gotten themselves, at the very least, a decent option off the bench in the form of EY Jr.

In other news, this happened today:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Truck is packed. Next stop, <a href="https://twitter.com/DisneySports">@DisneySports</a> for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BravesST?src=hash">#BravesST</a>! <a href="http://t.co/T3yIxvwBdY">pic.twitter.com/T3yIxvwBdY</a></p>&mdash; Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/566361381415706625">February 13, 2015</a></blockquote>

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Getting excited yet?