ATLANTA, GA – JULY 15: The Atlanta Braves logo on a hat against the Chicago White Sox on July 15, 2023 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)
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The Atlanta Braves continue to build a strong lead in the National League East division thanks to a consistent season, which has marched on successfully despite some significant injuries and other roster setbacks.
Though the Braves attempted to make a significant addition to their starting rotation at the trade deadline, the front office was unable to make a meaningful upgrade. And now the team has turned to a recent Toronto Blue Jays castoff to address another area of need.
Atlanta Braves Quickly Snap Up Toronto Blue Jays Castoff
Just days after he was released by Toronto, Cade Doughty has landed with the Braves as they continue searching for long-term infield solutions.
The Braves acquired Doughty on a minor-league deal and assigned him to High-A Rome less than a week after he was released from the Blue Jays organization, according to the official transaction log.
The quick turnaround gives Doughty an opportunity to reset after his time with the Blue Jays organization came to an abrupt end during a depth shuffle.
“With the Blue Jays acquiring prospects in both the draft and trade deadline, it required them to release some players,” Ryley Delaney wrote for Blue Jays Nation. “The most notable of the bunch is Cade Doughty, who was selected … one pick before Roman Anthony. One of the best collegiate contact hitters in the 2022 draft, Doughty never seemed to figure it out as a professional.”
Doughty’s draft pedigree makes the Braves’ decision particularly interesting. Toronto selected him 67th overall in 2022 after a standout college career at LSU, and he entered professional baseball with considerable expectations.
The Braves are now betting that some of the skills that made him an intriguing prospect can still translate.
Atlanta Braves Bet On Young Infielder After Toronto Blue Jays Cut
Doughty has experience at both second and third base, giving Atlanta another versatile infield option to develop in the minors. His defensive ceiling could also provide a path forward if his bat begins to catch up with his earlier prospect reputation.
“Doughty will continue to split time between second and third base but has the potential to be an above-average defender at the hot corner,” according to his official MLB scouting profile. “Combine Doughty’s high ceiling and the polish he enters pro ball with from his NCAA experience, and he could be one of the organization’s more productive players in the coming years.”
That evaluation helps explain why Doughty was able to find another home so quickly after Toronto moved on.
A minor league contract gives Atlanta time to evaluate whether his contact-oriented college approach, defensive versatility and remaining offensive upside can be unlocked.