Machado signs free agent contract with Atlanta Braves

Designated hitter and catcher in Hawaii Austin Machado signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves following last weekend’s MLB draft and will begin his professional career in the coming weeks.

Machado made a huge impact in his lone year as a Rainbow Warrior, earning ABCA All-Region second-team honors and All-Big West second-team recognition. A Hawaii player has now been drafted or signed as an undrafted free agent after each of the last 48 seasons since 1977.

The Cardiff By The Sea, Calif., native led the team with a .351 batting average in 2023 with four home runs and 48 RBIs. He also led the team and finished second in the Big West with 19 doubles. Machado reached base in 52 of 53 games and finished the year sixth in the conference with a .473 on-base percentage.

Machado started 34 games as a designated hitter and had 18 starts behind the plate. He walked 38 times and was hit by a pitch eight times while striking out just 23 times. The junior also led the team with 13 multi-RBI games and finished second with 18 multi-hit games.

A second-team All-Big West member, Machado also led the team in batting during the Big West, batting .342 while hitting three home runs, along with 10 doubles and 25 RBIs.