By Brian Argabright
Jack Mayfield’s time with the Atlanta Braves may come later than sooner.
According to Steve Adams of mlbtraderumors.com, the former Houston Astros infielder was designated for assignment by the Braves Wednesday to open a roster spot for outfielder Guillermo Heredia, whom the Braves clamed from the New York Mets off waivers.
Mayfield, 30, had spent his entire professional baseball career with the Astros since the team signed him to a free agent contract in June 2013. Prior to that, Mayfield was a four-year all-district standout for the Del Rio Rams, graduating in 2009, and was a four-year member of the University of Oklahoma Sooners where he played in one College World Series.
Late Wednesday night Mayfield confirmed the news and explained what was next for his baseball career.
“There’s a window of three days where a team can claim me off waivers since I got DFA’d (designated for assignment). If not, then I clear waivers and get outrighted back to AAA with the Braves,” Mayfield said via text message.
Mayfield spent six years in the Astros’ minor league system before being called up on Memorial Day in 2019. In his first at-bat he rocketed a double off the wall at Minute Maid Field and helped the Astros defeat the Cubs.
He appeared in 47 games with the Astros in two years, amassing 112 major league at-bats. He carries a .170 average with 18 hits, two home runs, eight RBIs and 13 runs scored. He also accompanied the team during its 2019 World Series appearance against the Washington Nationals but did not play.
In regards to Mayfield, Adams said there was still room for the two-time minor league all-star somewhere in baseball. “Mayfield also carries a more robust .268/.325/.472 slash through 1224 plate appearances in Triple-A, and he’s a versatile defender with minor league options remaining. He’s graded out well in limited samples of work at second base, shortstop and third base, making him a potential bench piece or Triple-A stash for another club if they have the 40-man roster flexibility to take him on,” Adams wrote.
