Braves Sign Three to Minor League Contracts

The Braves signed former Phillies catcher

to a minor league contract today. Photo Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Braves today brought back two players who have been part of their minor league crew, righty Benino Pruneda and catcher Jose Yepez.  They also added former Phillies catcher Steven Lerud, according to Baseball America’s Matt Eddy.

Yepez is a career minor leaguer who started out in the Blue Jay’s organization back in 2001, spent some time in independent ball from 2005v through 2007 and with the Mariners from 2008 through 2010. He signed with the Braves in 2011 and played at Gwinnett the last two years.

Pruneda was picked by the Braves in the 31st round of the 2007 draft. The 5’9” righty made it to Mississippi in 2010 but wasn’t picked up after the 2011 season. In his two years at Pearl he posted a 3.55 ERA and a 1.495 WHIP in 99 relief innings.

Lerud is the new guy of the bunch. Although he’s only 29 years  old he has 10 minor league years under his belt posting a .221/.353/.311 line He did appear in nine games for the Phillies between 2012-13 but only had 15 PA. At Lehigh Valley last year his slash was just .217/.353/.311 in 219 PA walking 35 times and only striking out 39. No word on where Lerud or Pruneda will start the year yet.