In a move that mostly went unnoticed this weekend the Braves picked up Stefan Gartrell from the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations. At 27 years old the 6’3” 230 pound right handed Gartrell is no kid and on the edge of still being considered a prospect. In 139 games at Charlotte (AAA) last year he hit 27 home runs and drove in 80 with a line of .255/.316/.448/.764 while striking out 152 times and walking only 41 in 589 plate appearances. I asked Travis Miller of our sister site Southside Showdown about Gartrell.
“He’s (Gartrell) big and he has a lot of power. He’s susceptible to strikeouts, but that comes with the territory. High risk, high reward. I was very upset to see that the White Sox traded him for nothing but cash. A total steal for the Braves.”
We know that the GM has been searching for a right handed outfield bat but that major league cupboard is pretty bare right now. Getting Gartrell – a corner outfielder with some pop - may be an attempt to fill that void and pull off a Schuerholz, something I think he personally wants to do. If that’s the case and he plays well at Gwinnett we may see Gartrell on our bench before the All Star Break.