According to Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Braves signed Brian Anderson to a major-league contract on Tuesday. Anderson, a right-handed hitter, has primarily played third base and right field during his seven-year MLB career. To accommodate Anderson on the 40-man roster, the Braves placed reliever Tyler Matzek on the 60-day injured list.
Despite his success, Seattle chose not to promote Anderson to the major league roster before his June 1 opt-out date. Consequently, the veteran exercised his opt-out clause over the weekend and became a free agent.
Anderson, 31, is best known for his six-year tenure with the Miami Marlins. Drafted by the Marlins in the third round of the 2014 draft, he quickly ascended through their minor league system. After making his debut in 2017, Anderson soon established himself as a regular in the lineup and one of Miami’s top players.
From 2018 to 2020, the Oklahoma native posted a .266/.350/.436 slash line (111 OPS+) with 42 home runs and 74 doubles over 1,419 plate appearances. While he may not be a lineup centerpiece, Anderson provides valuable depth as a strong complementary hitter.
Additionally, Anderson offers significant value with his defensive versatility. Throughout his career, he has logged 1,870 innings in the outfield (primarily in right field) and 3,239 1/3 innings at third base. During this time, he has accrued 9 Defensive Runs Saved in the outfield and 2 at third base. While he may not possess extensive range, his exceptionally strong arm is a valuable asset at both positions.
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