Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Getting Younginer, Old News, Fredi, and Thank You

Baseball on the pitchers mound. Also pictured: rosin bag. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Mauldin’s Younginer signs with Atlanta Braves

[ Ed. note:  we introduced the new minor league signings to you on Tuesday as they were announced by the Atlanta Braves.  Fred gave a more detailed run-down of some of the new players in the organization yesterday.  Here’s a bit more on another from his home paper. ]

STAFF REPORT / GREENVILLE (SC) ONLINE

Former Mauldin High pitcher Madison Younginer has signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves, the team announced today.

Younginer, 25, will participate in spring training with the major league team, according to the team’s official website. He spent the past six seasons in the Boston Red Sox organization after being selected in the seventh round of the MLB draft.

The Gatorade state baseball player of the year as a senior at Mauldin High [Mauldin, SC] in 2009, Younginer received a $1 million signing bonus in order to forgo a collegiate career at Clemson University. He did not pitch professionally that year but made his professional debut in 2010.

The move gives Younginer, who had mixed results while with the Red Sox organization, a fresh start. A starter for his first three pro seasons, Younginer compiled a combined 5-21 record with a 5.62 ERA, including 1-8 with a 7.29 ERA in 13 appearances with Greenville in 2012.

Converted to a reliever in 2013, Younginer fared much better. In the past three seasons, he was 17-7 with a 3.70 ERA while striking out an average of 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 104 relief appearances. This past season, while making 39 appearances at Double-A Portland and two at Triple-A Pawtucket, he went a combined 8-4 with a 3.03 ERA and two saves.

Next: Otis... sigh...