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In-Depth Look At The Atlanta Braves Newest Acquisition – Travis Demeritte

By Jeff Schafer

Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World runner Jorge Bonifacio (41) is forced out by USA infielder Travis Demeritte (left) in the third inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World runner Jorge Bonifacio (41) is forced out by USA infielder Travis Demeritte (left) in the third inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World runner Jorge Bonifacio (41) is forced out by USA infielder Travis Demeritte (left) in the third inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; World runner Jorge Bonifacio (41) is forced out by USA infielder Travis Demeritte (left) in the third inning during the All Star Game futures baseball game at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

TT: Just looking at his 2016 stats, this kid looks like a 5-tool star.  What’s your take on him?

BD: I wouldn’t call him a five tool. His glove is good – good enough that he could stick at second, even – but not great to the point that it’s part of a five tool conversation. Contact is also a huge issue for him; he is going to strike out a lot. If he can get on base at a .350 clip as he has been, if he continues to improve his patience at the plate as he has been, hey, you can live with 30+% strikeout rates (especially if power continues), but he will never hit for average.

TT: The strikeout rate is about 30% of his at-bats. Should this concern us?

BD: Yes and no. He leaks forward, has a noisy approach at the plate, and has a variable stride, sometimes going towards third base and then only recovering to hit the ball the other way simply because he has such strong, quick hands.

He’s really been struggling with breaking balls, and getting pitched backwards has been a big adjustment for him. He will likely always be a huge strikeout guy. But if he retains some of that power, even as a line drive gap-to-gap doubles guy, he can work around it. Lord knows many other players have.

TT: Demeritte was playing in the A+ level for Texas, how far along in the development stage is he?  He’s already 21-years-old

BD: From what I understand, the Braves are sending him to their Double-A affiliate, so this is a nice promotion for him. He likely should have been promoted to the Rangers’ Double-A affiliate earlier this month after the Cal League All-Star Game and the Futures Game, but looking back on it now, it appears Texas did something smart to leave him in High Desert, keep improving his value, and then selling really high on him.

Regardless, he’s ahead of the curve for his age, and he’s going to have some time to adjust in Double-A/Triple-A with his window still fully intact.

Next: What's Demeritte's Ceiling?

Here are some more photos of Demeritte, one more page of Q&A’s at the link above

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