The Atlanta Braves continue to add depth to their minor league system by signing other systems' castoffs. Yesterday I talked about all the former Royals the Braves have signed recently, but that's just the tip of the spear of an unusually high number of minor league free agents the organization has been signing in the past year. Their latest addition is right-handed starting pitcher Aaron Shafer, a former second round pick (65th overall) of the Chicago Cubs from the 2008 draft.
"We are very excited to add Aaron Shafer to the Braves organization," said Braves Assistant Director of Player Development Ronnie Richardson. "He will have an opportunity to pitch and continue his development in our minor league system."
The Braves will put Shafer at high-A Lynchburg. As for why Shafer was released by the Cubs, his brother, who also played on the same independent league team he did, had this to say:
"He had a bit of a shot to the gut whenever he got released by the Cubs with really no good explanation. He just needed to throw some innings and if he throws like he did that last outing then there’s no stopping him."
I can't find any official reason why the Cubs cut him, other than his poor performance once he reached double-A. It sounds like they just didn't give him enough time to adjust at double-A, and instead kicked him to the curb. We'll see how he fares this time around in a Braves uniform.
UPDATE:
As excpted, Shafer has been added to the Lynchburg roster. Right-hander Cory Rasmus has been placed on the disable list.