Braves sign Wirfin Obispo to minor league deal

The Atlanta Braves' offseason is underway, as the club signed minor league free agent Wilfrin Obispo to a minor league contract.

Obispo spent the 2012 season in the Cincinnati Reds organization, pitching for Cincinnati's AA and AAA affiliates. The bulk of Obispo's season was spent in AA, where he pitched 76 and 2/3 innings, striking out 77 while walking just 28. Obispo held AA hitters to a microscopic .163 average against.

Of course, since Obispo turned 28 in September, so he was older than much of the competition he faced in AA.

Obispo didn't fare as well in his promotion to AAA, pitching just 19 and 1/3 innings, giving up 13 earned runs (6.05 ERA), while surrendering 19 hits and walking 15. Obispo struck out 14.

22 of Obispo's 35 appearances in 2012 came out of the bullpen.

As part of the deal, Obispo received an invitation to spring training in 2013, giving the right hander a chance to compete for a spot in Atlanta's bullpen.