According to Baseball America, the Braves signed Cedar Grove High alumnus Xavier Avery to a minor league contract.
Avery, 27, has played 32 games in the majors, all for the Orioles in 2012. He hit .223 with one home run and six RBIs in 94 at-bats.
The Orioles drafted Avery in the second round of the MLB draft in 2008. Four months earlier Avery signed a letter-of-intent to play football for the Georgia Bulldogs. Avery, who was an AJC Super 11 selection in 2007, chose baseball and remained with the Orioles organization until he was traded to Seattle in August 2013 for Michael Morse.
Avery has a career minor league batting average of .264, with 47 homers and 316 RBIs and 237 stolen bases in 1,020 games. He bats left and throws left.
Baseball America offered no indication as to whether Avery will get an invitation to big-league camp in spring training.
Reports among baseball media are that the Braves are considering whether to sign Jeff Francoeur to give him a shot at providing outfield depth in the 2017 season.
The Braves pitchers and catchers report to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Feb. 14.
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