Mike

Hessman

The deal does not include an invite to big-league camp. Hessman spent last season with the Orix Buffaloes of Japan’s Pacific League. The 33-year-old has regularly mashed minor league pitching, but has a lousy .188/.272/.422 batting line over 250 plate appearances in the majors. He’ll serve as organizational depth this season.

Hessman once again mashed minor league pitching, smashing 35 homers and driving home 78 runs for Triple-A Oklahoma City, but did so while hitting .231/.301/.512. The 34-year-old slugger will once again seek a new opportunity.

Hessman, who turns 35 in March, batted .231/.301/.512 with 35 home runs and an .813 OPS in 123 games with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season. He’ll likely serve as organizational depth in 2013.

Hessman hit .130 in 69 AB for the Braves last year and wasn’t one of the team’s September callups, but since he still occupies a 40-man roster spot, he must have some place in the team’s plans. He could take over as Adam LaRoche’s platoon partner if Julio Franco isn’t re-signed.

With Julio Franco returning, there was no point to keeping Hessman on the 40-man roster. He’s been offered a minor league contract to stay with the organization.

Hessman hasn’t appeared in a major league game since 2010 and turns 36 years old in early March. He’s a .240/.326/.495 career hitter in 1,207 games at Triple-A.

Hessman is hitting .233 with 6 HR, 27 RBI, 45/10 K/BB and 2 SB in 159 AB for Triple-A Richmond. He had been a third baseman in the past, but because of Wilson Betemit’s presence, he was playing first base for Richmond.

Hessman, who spent time with the Braves in 2003 and ’04, hit .214/.316/.436 for Triple-A Toledo last season. He tied for fourth in the IL with his 28 homers, but he didn’t help his chances of getting back to the majors as the right-handed half of a platoon.

Hessman had been out since May 20 with a high ankle sprain.

Hessman was outplayed by Dean Palmer, going just 3-for-21 this spring. Giarratano, perhaps the team’s shortstop of the future, hit .325 in 40 at-bats.