Atlanta Braves’ Former Infielder Cut By New York Mets After Batting .091

Once viewed as a versatile prospect capable of helping clubs all over the field, former Braves infielder Vidal Brujan has now been cut loose by the Mets after he struggled to establish himself as a contributor.

“The Mets have designated infielder Vidal Brujan for assignment,” Darragh McDonald reported for MLB Trade Rumors. “He has appeared in nine games but mostly as an in-game replacement, only stepping to the plate 13 times. He has one walk and one hit, a single, leading to a .091/.167/.091 line.”

Brujan’s time with the Mets might have been brief, but he once appeared to have a legitimate shot at contributing to a playoff-bound team before things ran off the rails. The Mets picked him up off of waivers from the Minnesota Twins, who acquired him after the Braves attempted a creative transition with apparent hopes of keeping him in their organization.

“Over (the past) two seasons, he received 373 plate appearances between the (Miami) Marlins, (Chicago) Cubs, (Baltimore) Orioles and Atlanta,” McDonald added. “The latter club avoided arbitration with Brujan, agreeing to a split contract that pays him $850K in the majors and $500K in the minors. The plan was seemingly to get him through waivers unclaimed. Since Brujan’s service clock is between three and five years, he would have the right to elect free agency but would have to walk away from that money if he were to do so. However, the Twins claimed him off waivers and later flipped him to the Mets.”

Brujan’s tenure in Atlanta never produced a long-term role, but the Braves clearly saw enough value in his defensive versatility to keep him around through the arbitration process. He batted .268 in 23 games with the Braves last season.

Ultimately, though, his offensive production never developed consistently enough to secure a permanent roster spot.

Former Top Prospect, Atlanta Braves Switch Hitter Vidal Brujan Still Offers Defensive Flexibility

Despite his struggles at the plate, Brujan remains an intriguing player because of his ability to move around the diamond.

“From the Dominican Republic, he's a career .199 hitter with a .267 on-base percentage, 76 runs and 16 steals over 262 major league games,” CBS News reported. “Brujan has played primarily at second base and shortstop, but he has taken regular turns at third base and every outfield spot as well.”

That versatility could help another organization take a chance on the 28-year-old if he clears waivers or reaches free agency.

For now, however, the latest chapter of Brujan’s career has seen him cut from yet another big-league roster after a particularly difficult stretch. But given his defensive flexibility and major-league experience, it would not be surprising to see another club offer him an opportunity before long.