Atlanta Braves Need Some Pop What About Matt Dominguez

How Would He Help?

Dominguez offers youth and power. He’s just 26 years old – 27 in August – and was a first round draft pick who was once rated better than Mike Moustakas. His stock dropped as the draft approached as BA’s draft report ($) on him explains.

"The problem isn’t tools, but rather adjustments. Dominguez has the tools to hit, with quick hands that he should learn to trust. Instead, he gets on his front foot too early, and to compensate he has tinkered with his approach. . . He has the bat speed and raw power potential that none of (his tinkering) is probably necessary. . . His other tools are excellent, particularly defensively, where he’s drawn comparisons to Ryan Zimmerman. Dominguez has a well-above-average arm, and with his supple hands and quick release,it plays as well as Moustakas’ 80 arm. . ."

They were still optimistic about him after 2011 but disappointed that he wasn’t paying attention to his coaches.

". . . He possesses Gold Glove ability, with good anticipation, quick feet, smooth hands and a strong, accurate arm. He has yet to make the same kind of impact at the plate, however. Dominguez’s hand-eye coordination works against him, as he believes he can put the bat on pitches he needs to let go. He gets tied up on the inner half and rarely drives the ball with authority. If he can become more selective and repeat his swing, he could become an average hitter with average power."

That report sounds to me a lot like Jeff Francoeur’s later days in his first time around in Atlanta. I’d look at him as an inexpensive,  undervalued player  who a combination of Kevin Seitzer and Francoeur might be able to turn around.

The power he has shown seems to be independent which hand the pitchers uses but his split line looks like a platoon bat, something a more refined approach might improve.

That’s A Wrap

I don’t know if Dominguez will clear waivers in the AL and get to the NL to give us a shot at grabbing him but if he does we should jump at it.

We seem to be adding pitchers with upside that haven’t yet displayed it, it might be time to try that approach with a young power hitter.

Dominguez was the best defensive third baseman in the PCL in 2011 and 2012 so he wouldn’t hurt us that way and let’s face it, what do we have to lose? It appears he’s out of options and it would mean putting him on the 40 man – we have room – and having him work at Gwinnett for a while but there’s room and a need.

Right now Gwinnett’s first baseman is catcher Blake Lalli  and our  third baseman of the future (?) Rio Ruiz last 25 games sports a .152/.281/.203/.484 line; maybe he needs a rest or a visit to Pearl?

The front office is probably up to their necks in the draft but surely this is just a phone call and a question?  This seems like an easy and obvious swap of an A ball player with Toronto but I thought we’d make an offer for Al Alburquerque and that didn’t happen and he’s still in the Angels system while we feature Jim Johnson.