According to a report by Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Atlanta Braves are adding catcher Austin Nola on a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. Nola, the brother of long-time Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola, is a veteran of parts of six big leagues seasons.
Austin Nola, who will be 36 next season, spent part of last season in the majors with the Colorado Rockies, appearing in 14 games. He debuted with the Seattle Mariners in 2019 and had appeared in the big leagues in each subsequent season until 2024, with most of his action coming with the San Diego Padres.
Assuming the report of his signing is confirmed by Atlanta, he will provide depth going into next season. With Drake Baldwin coming off an outstanding rookie season behind-the-plate, and the team still employing fellow backstop Sean Murphy, the big league roster appears set. However, Murphy is recovering from season-ending surgery and it a plausible trade asset for Atlanta this offseason.
The team picked up catcher Chuckie Robinson at the end of the regular season as another reserve catching option. And although the Braves’ own transaction page shows that they team re-signed Sandy Leon, there has been conflicting information as to either that is the case.
For most of last season, the Braves organization has former big league catcher Jason Delay and James McCann in the minor leagues as depth options, although neither made it to the big leagues with Atlanta.
As for Nola, he could factor in as a third catcher in 2026 and bring a bit of positional versatility has he has a appeared in multiple infield positions at the big league level as well as a couple of games in the outfield. It should be noted, other than one appearance at first base, 2022 marks the last season where he appeared at multiple defensive positions.
Offensively, Nola posted solid production through 2022, but since then, he’s struggled in limited big league opportunities. He hit well in Triple-A last season, but that did occur at Albuquerque. In 2024 he struggled with the Royals’ Triple-A affiliate in Omaha.
For his career, he has a .247/.323/.363 line with 24 home runs and a 93 wRC+.
