Atlanta brings back fan favorite Charlie Culberson on minor league deal

The veteran utility man was signed to a minor-league contract, per the league's transaction wire

Lindsay Crosby | Mar 31, 2023

HE'S BACK!

Charlie Culberson, affectively known as "Charlie Clutch" during his 2017-2020 stint with the team, has rejoined the organization on a minor league deal. Terms of the contract weren't immediately known, but it's assumed he'll be asked to report to AAA Gwinnett in the coming days.

#Braves have signed INF Charlie Culberson to a minor league contract.
— MiLB-Transactions (@tombaseball29) March 31, 2023

Culberson, who turns 34 in just over a week, most recently got play time with the Texas Rangers, spending the 2021 & 2022 seasons with the club. He got into 158 games during his two seasons in Arlington, appearing at third (93), outfield (19), second (15), first (5), and short (1). He hit .247/.292/.373 with seven homeruns and 34 RBIs in those 395 plate appearances, while stealing nine bases. He excelled against lefties in 2021, batting .346/.376/.556.

He also pitched four scoreless innings in relief for Texas across his two seasons, with three hits and one walk, although under the new rules on position players pitching, may not have as many opportunities to defend his ERA crown in Atlanta.

Culberson was in spring training with the Tampa Bay Rays, but did not make the roster after some tough at-bats at the plate and was released last Friday.

Culberson's most famous in Braves Country for not only his resemblance to former Atlanta shortstop Dansby Swanson, but also his clutch catch and basket throw to preserve a one-run lead against Miami in July 2019.

CHARLIE CULBERSON IS THE MOST CLUTCH PLAYER IN BASEBALL WE DON'T MAKE THE RULES#ChopOn pic.twitter.com/FclBzYUsX1
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 7, 2019