For the second consecutive season, the New York Mets have acquired infielderKelly Johnsonfrom theAtlanta Braves. The Braves received minor league pitcherAkeel Morrisand cash considerations in exchange.
The Atlanta Braves have traded yet another veteran player in order to obtain another young prospect. On Wednesday, June 8, the Braves tradedKelly Johnsonfor right-handed minor league pitcherAkeel Morris.
Last year the Atlanta Braves tradedJohnson, along with Juan Uribe, to the Mets for pitchers Robert Whalen and John Gant.Johnsonthen returned to the Braves in the offseason, when he became a free agent. Now, after a less than impressive performance this season, the Braves are sending him back to New York.
ViaDavid O’Brien of The Atlanta Journal Constitution,
"Johnson was traded Wednesday for right-handed prospect Akeel Morris, 23, who’s 2-2 with a 4.62 ERA in 22 relief appearances this season in Double-A, with 36 strikeouts and 16 walks in 25 1/3 innings.Johnson, 34, struggled in his third career stint with the Braves, batting .215 (26-for-121) with one home run, 10 RBIs and a .273 on-base percentage and .289 slugging percentage (.562 OPS) in 49 games this season.“Great guy in the clubhouse,” Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. “Kelly is special to me, I’ve known him for years since I had him as a kid (on Snitker-managed Double-A team in 2003-2004). Wonderful person, amazing career. And I’m glad for him that he’s going somewhere that he’s familiar with, where he’s wanted and he’s comfortable going. It’s a great opportunity for him.”"
Who isAkeel Morris?Morris, 23, was born in the Virgin Islands, and managed an impressive pitching career throughout high school. So impressive that his parents sent him to the Dominican Republic to try out for the New York Mets in 2009.
More fromATL All Day
- Atlanta Braves: Felix Has Already Shown Enough to Win a Rotation Spot
- Atlanta Braves Implode Late To Phillies, Cole Hamels Remains Sidelined
- Kyle Wright Shines As Folty Struggles In Atlanta Braves Loss To Red Sox
- Atlanta Hawks Sweep Back-to-Back Games Over Weekend
- Atlanta Braves: Grapefruit League Play Check Up
Morrisimpressed the Mets too, and was drafted in the 10th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. In his first four seasons, he spent time both starting and relieving.
It wasn’t until June of the 2015 season, when he was promoted by the Mets, thatMorrissaw any time in the major leagues. On his June 18 debut against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Blue Jays would go on to beat the Mets 8-0. Then it was back to the minor leagues forMorris, who went to the Binghamton Mets.
Over a total of seven seasons,Morrishas totaled 405 strikeouts and 167 walks in 303 innings over the course of 154 appearances, or 26 starts. He is being assigned to Double-A Mississippi to begin his career with the Atlanta Braves.
Next: Atlanta Braves: A bad week for Erick Aybar
Considering recent struggles for the Braves, couldMorrisfactor in to a bigger picture in the future? Wednesday evening, the Atlanta Braves went on to defeat the San Diego Padres 4-2, making them 17-42 and 5th in the National League East. Is their luck turning around already? At this point, any change for the Braves is probably a good one.
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations