Jonny Venters
photo by Tim Evearitt
ATLANTA -- The Braves bid adieu to the longest-tenured member of their organization to create 40-man roster space for top prospect Jose Peraza and six other Minor Leaguers who will have an opportunity to experience their first Major League Spring Training.
Left-handed reliever Jonny Venters' long stint with the Braves' organization came to a close on Wednesday, when he and infielder Ramiro Pena were designated for assignment. The transactions created the space necessary for Peraza, third baseman Kyle Kubitza, left-handed pitcher Yean Carlos Gil and four right-handed pitchers -- Mauricio Cabrera, Brandon Cunniff, Tyrell Jenkins and Williams Perez -- to be added to the 40-man roster.
MLB.com's latest Top 20 Braves prospects list is headed by Peraza.
Jenkins and Cabrera rank seventh and eighth, respectively, on the same list.
All Major League clubs have until Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET to determine which of their Rule 5 Draft-eligible players will be protected by being added to the 40-man roster.
Venters' removal from the roster was certainly expected given that he underwent what might prove to be a career-ending third Tommy John surgery in September. Pena proved to be one of Atlanta's most valuable players before he underwent shoulder surgery during the third month of the 2013 season. But he never fully recovered from the surgery and experienced a disappointing 2014 campaign.
While the Braves bid adieu to Venters and Pena, they provided further indication that they believe Peraza could begin his reign as Atlanta's starting second baseman at some point next season. The speedy Venezuelan batted .339, stole 60 bases (75 attempts) and produced an .805 OPS while combining to play 110 games with Class A Advanced Lynchburg and Double-A Mississippi this year.
Peraza has played just 44 games above the Class A level and thus might not be Major League-ready at the start of the 2015 season. But the Braves have indicated he will be given every opportunity during Spring Training to prove how close he might be to being ready to rise to the game's highest level.
Jenkins' addition to the 40-man roster came just one day after he and Shelby Miller were acquired from the Cardinals in exchange for Jason Heyward and Jordan Walden. Jenkins is an athletic, hard-throwing right-hander who has tremendous upside if he continues to distance himself from the shoulder issues that have slowed his development. The 22-year-old hurler is expected to begin the season in Mississippi's starting rotation.
While Jenkins posted a 3.28 ERA in 13 starts for Class A Advanced Palm Beach this past season, Cabrera produced a 5.59 ERA and recorded 28 strikeouts in 29 innings for Lynchburg. The 21-year-old right-hander's stock has dropped since he enjoyed an impressive 2012 season for Rookie-level Danville.