Braves Release Jerez, Rojas; Catching Up On Released Players

This past week, the Braves released left-hander Miguel Jerez and infielder Luidemid Rojas, two lower-level minor leaguers who struggled to gain footing stateside since signing in 2016. Neither player was on my list as a prospect.

Jerez, 23, experienced initial success after moving stateside to the Gulf Coast League in 2017, posting a 1.38 ERA with 35 strikeouts to 10 walks in 39 innings, mostly relief. The Braves tried to transition him to starting in the GCL in 2018, and he showed even better control, but the results were iffy for that level based on a lack of swing-and-miss stuff. He spun his wheels in short-season ball in 2019 and is now out of the org.

Rojas, 21, was likely signed for his infield glove. He has a light bat and never hit enough to hold his own in the GCL over two seasons.

These two transactions come on the heels of the Braves releasing six minor leaguers a couple months ago. Diehard Braves minor league fans likely recognize some of the names, but none were considered prospects.

Juan Morales – Reached as high as Florida for a week’s worth of games last year but, like Rojas, showed a light bat as a middle infielder and never hit enough between his low-level stops. He signed in 2015 and is 22.

Ariel Montesino – The Braves signed the 25-year-old in February 2019 after the Twins released him. Five months later, they put him on the restricted list, and he ended up playing just 43 games with Rome, barely hitting his weight.

Filyer Sanchez – Another lefty who lacked the stuff to advance in the system. Sanchez signed in 2014 and had been in the system a while but spent almost all of his time in short-season leagues with poor strikeout totals.

Albinson Volquez – Signed in 2016 and quickly made his way stateside with a good start, but the lack of stuff showed in the GCL and Appy League, and control became an issue.

Walner Polanco – The most notable name from this group. Polanco, 24, signed in 2016 and immediately gained attention for being 6-foot-7 and displaying the framework for a couple decent pitches. However, the pitches only flashed and didn’t develop further, and walks became a problem. He’s already 24 but could get another look because of his size.

Enmanuel Guitian – Signed in 2016 but couldn’t get out of the DSL because of his bat. Quick catcher but never hit enough and only got 18 at-bats stateside.

If you follow the minors, you’re aware that orgs often mass-release players, typically in the spring. It’s not pleasant news, but orgs have to maintain its systems. The 2020 schedule changed the timing of these releases closer to early summer for many, including the Braves, who cut 30 in late May.

I went through that list at the time, providing context for the mass cuts, including the unique circumstances that surrounded those cuts. I also offered notes on each player, none of whom was a prospect on my list.

The most notable names from that list: Braxton Davidson, Walter Borkovich, Alex Camacho, Caleb Dirks, Jose Olague, Hagen Owenby, Jordan Rodgers, Ryan Shetter, Brendan Venter and Christian Zamora.

On Friday, I will have a similar post going through the updated list of additions to the system between minor league signings and waiver claims.