Braves Signings Boost Minor League Depth

Braves added to their minor league depth today by signing free agent RHP Erik Hamren and first baseman Nick Weglarz to minor league deals. according to Baseball America’s Matt Eddy. Hamren, 26, was drafted by the Cubs in the 17th round of the 2008 draft. The Cubs let him go after the 2009 season and he landed in the independent North American  league in 2010. That year he  appeared in 44 games between Kansas City and Joliet throwing 61 innings and finishing with a 1.377 WHIP and a 3.39 ERA. In 2011 the Padres signed him to a minor league deal and sent him to High A Lake Elsinore. In 2012 he split time between AA San Antonio and AAA Tucson. He had a cup of coffee with the Padres in 2011 tossing 12 1/3 innings in 14 games posting a 4.38 ERA and a 1.541 WHIP. Hamren was assigned to the Mississippi Braves

Weglarz was drafted by the Indians in the third round of the 2005 rule 4 draft. At one time he was 58th on Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects 2009 list but he seemed to plateau after that never managed to stick above AA in spite of his .286/.392/.497 line with AAA Columbus. His career His overall line minor league line of .252/.375/.439 probably had a lot to do with that. He started spring training with the Rays but was released before the end. NBC and CBS sports report that he will likely be sent to Gwinnett other reports say he may join Hamren in Pearl.