MINNEAPOLIS – Looking to add right-handed power to their organization, the Braves traded for infield prospect Travis Demeritte from the Texas Rangers on Wednesday in exchange for pitchers Lucas Harrell and left-handed reliever Dario Alvarez.
The Braves took two pitchers they got off the scrap heap earlier this season and used them to acquire Demeritte, a 21-year-old former first-round draft pick from Winder, Ga., who has 25 homers in 88 games in high-A ball and started at second base for the U.S. in this month’s All-Star Futures Game in San Diego.
“First rounder, local kid, so we’re fired up about it,” said Braves general manager John Coppolella, who finalized the deal Wednesday after Harrell’s six scoreless innings against the Twins on Tuesday night recharged the Rangers’ interest in the journeyman starter.