The Atlanta Braves signed Jose Azocar on Tuesday.
The Atlanta Braves have agreed to a deal with outfielder Jose Azocar on a minor league contract, reported Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. “The Braves and OF José Azocar have agreed to a Minor League deal. Includes an invite to Spring Training. Azocar, 29, owns a .244/.290/.319 career slash line in 228 MLB games, but his calling card is his glove, accumulating 7 Outs Above Average in all 3 OF spots in that span,” Leighton wrote on X.
Azocar’s 2025 season was a winding one, split between brief major league stints and extended time in the minors. He began the year with the New York Mets, appearing in 12 games and making five starts. At the plate, he went 5-for-18 with two walks and a stolen base before moving on to Atlanta.
The Braves signed him to a big-league deal on May 30, but his time there was short-lived. Under then-manager Brian Snitker, Azocar spent just over two weeks on the bench, logging only two appearances as a late-game substitute. His lone at-bat resulted in a flyout, and by mid-June he was released.
After returning to the Mets on a minor league contract, Azocar finished the season at the Triple-A level. In 291 plate appearances, he hit .241/.314/.352 with 17 stolen bases. While his speed remained an asset, it marked his third straight below-average offensive campaign.
Azocar broke into the majors with the San Diego Padres in 2022, where he spent the bulk of his big-league career across three seasons. His rookie year was his most productive, highlighted by 98 games played and defensive metrics that rated him favorably.
At this stage, Azocar’s value lies in his versatility and speed. He can handle all three outfield spots and provide a burst of athleticism off the bench, but his bat has yet to prove reliable.
Looking ahead to 2026, Atlanta’s outfield picture is already crowded. Ronald Acuna Jr., Michael Harris II, Mike Yastrzemski and Jurickson Profar form a solid core, while Mauricio Dubon, Eli White and Vidal Brujan are also in the mix as out-of-options depth pieces.
With that group in place, Azocar sits no higher than sixth on the depth chart. Unless injuries open a path during spring training, he is likely to begin the year at Triple-A Gwinnett, waiting for another opportunity.
For now, Azocar represents experienced insurance for Atlanta, offering speed and defensive versatility should the team need depth during the long grind of the 2026 season.