Jantzen

Witte

Witte has been cut loose after batting .238/.331/.431 with seven homers in 175 plate appearances over 47 games this season for Triple-A Round Rock. The 34-year-old minor-league journeyman has yet to reach the majors after being selected in the 24th round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

Witte was playing for the Cleburne Railroaders of the independent American Association this season before the Rangers needed to add some additional infield depth in the upper minors. The 34-year-old journeyman spent last year in the Padres’ minor-league system and has yet to appear in the majors. He’s spent nearly a decade in the minor leagues at this point of his career.

Batten was replaced by veteran journeyman Jantzen Witte. The 27-year-old made his big league debut last season and figures to open the year at Triple-A El Paso.

After a terrific season at Triple-A Tacoma in 2021, Witte took his talents to Japan for the 2022 season where he slashed a troublesome .221/.249/.335 with just six homers and 30 RBI in 289 plate appearances for the Seibu Lions. The 33-year-old slugger will function as minor league depth for the Padres.

The 31-year-old corner infielder was in the Red Sox system for a long while, then was signed to a minor league contract by the M’s in the 2020 offseason. Witte did not play in 2020, but slashed .271/.333/.390 in 2019, between Double-A and Triple-A. He will likely start the season in Triple-A.

Witte was signed to a minor league contract by the Red Sox last winter, and didn’t play during the COVID-19 season that wiped out the minor league campaigns. He’ll likely spend his time in Triple-A Tacoma in 2021.

Witte, 29, batted .271/.333/.390 with nine dingers between Double- and Triple-A last season. He’s organizational filler.

Witte, 29, spent the majority of the 2019 season at Triple-A Pawtucket where he slashed .277/.339/.394 with eight homers and 49 RBI in 112 games. A former 24th round selection by the Red Sox in the 2013 draft, he should be considered as nothing more than minor league depth for the Red Sox.

Witte doubled twice and finished a triple shy of the cycle. The 25-year-old isn’t usually thought of as a top prospect, but he’s certainly been playing like one. Sunday’s four-hit effort raised his average 30 points from .324 to 354. Witte’s solo homer in the third inning was his second of the season.