The Braves have recently added outfielder Skye Bolt to their minor league roster. He made his debut in Spring Training today, entering as a defensive replacement in the exhibition game against the Tigers.
Bolt, aged 30, aims to return to the majors for the first time since 2022. The North Carolina native previously appeared in parts of three major league seasons with Bay Area teams between 2019 and 2022. His most extensive stint came with the A’s during the final season, where he posted a batting line of .198/.259/.330 across 42 games. Overall, Bolt holds a career batting line of .156/.205/.266 over 187 plate appearances in the big leagues.
In Triple-A, Bolt has demonstrated stronger performance, boasting a slash line of .298/.388/.483 over four seasons. However, his success has largely occurred in hitter-friendly environments in the Pacific Coast League. Despite a less impressive showing with Milwaukee’s Triple-A affiliate last season, where he recorded a .257/.359/.367 line in 64 games, Bolt’s track record in Triple-A suggests potential for a resurgence.
Bolt’s athleticism, characterized by above-average speed, suits his name well. He possesses the versatility to cover all three outfield positions and has displayed a propensity for drawing walks in the minors, albeit with limited power. While it’s highly unlikely he secures a spot on the Opening Day roster, he will serve as a valuable depth option for Triple-A Gwinnett.
Atlanta’s starting outfield of Jarred Kelenic, Michael Harris II, and Ronald Acuña Jr. is firmly established, but their top backup options lack significant MLB experience. Forrest Wall and J.P. MartÃnez, the other outfielders on the 40-man roster, have only a combined total of 32 big league games between them. To bolster their outfield depth, the Braves have brought in several non-roster players who could contend for a fourth outfield role. Among them are Leury GarcÃa, Jordan Luplow, Eli White, Luis Liberato, and Luke Williams, all of whom are participating in big league camp.
