Atlanta Braves Add Utility Depth With Minor League Signing

With the offseason recently underway, the Atlanta Braves have added fielding depth with a minor league signing of a utilityman. 

According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, the Braves reached an agreement with utilityman Tyler Freeman on a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to Spring Training. 

Freeman spent the past couple of seasons with the Colorado Rockies after three years with the Cleveland Guardians. Though he hasn’t solidified himself at a position in his career, he does provide a team with strong utility upside, as he has played every position except for pitcher and catcher in his five major league seasons. 

While he can play all over the diamond, he hasn’t necessarily stood out as a dominant defender, while his struggles at the plate have not been all too impressive either. While he lacks range in the outfield, he does boast a strong arm in the outfield and does not strike out or whiff at a high rate.

The 27-year-old will more than likely begin the upcoming season at Triple-A Gwinnett, automatically giving the team utility depth. However, if he were to take a step forward in his game, he could eventually make an impact on the Braves’ roster. 

While Freeman’s offensive production has been lackluster for the most part in his career, he did have himself a solid campaign in his first year in Colorado in 2025. In 110 games played, he posted a .281 batting average and a .715 OPS, both of which were career-highs.

In 2026, Freeman regressed offensively, as he owned a .247 batting average and a .631 OPS. He dealt with some injury trouble, as he had three stints on the injured list, and ended up undergoing back surgery in October, though he could be ready for game action by the end of this upcoming March. 

Last year with the Rockies, Freeman primarily played right field, where he made 62 appearances across the season. He also played 13 games at second base and made just one appearance in center field in 2026.

Heading into next season, there is a chance the Braves will have a void in their utility roles. Mauricio Dubón, who had himself a standout season and played numerous positions for Atlanta in 2026, could be on the move as he is currently a free agent.

Freeman, a high-contact bat who had strong speed when he first got to the major leagues, has the upside to step into an important utility role if his results improve this upcoming year.