2017 Atlanta Braves: Improving in the Field, Part 2

I’ve been looking to 2017 for our Atlanta Braves in 3 different posts prior to this one.  Today we finish this series.

1. Pitching Market for 2017
2. What to do with the Outfield
3. Improving in the Field, part 1

In the pieces above, we’ve looked at solutions for the Atlanta Braves pitching staff and potentially improving around the horn for catching, 1st base, 2nd base, and 3rd base. Now we take a gander at the rest of the positions.

Shortstop – It’s All About the Hair

Dansby Swanson:

The Good- Good glove, good bat, and young and controllable. Beautiful luscious hair.

The Bad- None that I can see yet. He’s likely not going to be a perennial all-star as there are many shortstop studs in the big leagues right now, but he’ll hold his own offensively and defensively. I expect a 3-4 WAR player long-term.

[ Editor’s note: have you noticed so far in Swanson’s play that while he doesn’t seem to be doing a lot of ‘Hey! Notice Me!’ things, he still seems to be right in the middle of everything good that happens for the Braves on the field? ]

Left Field

Matt Kemp:

The Good- Matt has an .853 OPS since getting out of the worst hitters’ park in the MLB and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. He’s given the offense a boost that is undeniable no matter what advanced metric you’re married to, and I’m as guilty of this as anyone.

The Bad- His nickname is “The Bison” and after seeing his defense, I can see why. It’s bad right now and it does look like he’s just grazing. Getting in shape is a must this off-season, otherwise all those sexy offensive numbers he produces seem lackluster in comparison to the runs he’s giving up in the field.

Center Field

More from Tomahawk Take

• Braves News: Braves re-sign Stephens, Will Atlanta extend Max Fried?, more
• Notable Atlanta Braves Reunions Since 2003: Pitcher Edition
• Braves News: Braves re-sign Jackson Stephens
• Braves News: Braves prospect rankings, Correa deal with Mets at risk, more
• Why the Atlanta Braves won’t extend Max Fried

Ender Inciarte:

The Good- An elite defensive CFer that seems to have an Andrelton-esque IQ in the field. He’s also capable of a good OBP as he’s shown since June putting up a .370ish OBP.  He’s sporting a 3.6 WAR which is good for 2nd on the Braves behind Freddie. In my opinion, he’s a piece to build around if the Braves’ philosophy is still be be strong up the middle.

The Bad- There isn’t much, but for someone so fast, he hasn’t been that much of a plus on the basepaths as his SB% isn’t great and some of his decisions while on base have been best described as questionable.

Right Field

Nick Markakis:

The Good- A steady .750ish OPS presence that can be placed in the lineup regularly and no matter the handedness of the pitcher, he can produce at nearly the same level. His defense isn’t elite, but he rarely makes mistakes that give extra bases. He has produced a 1.3 WAR this year, which puts him on pace to be worth slightly more than his contract.

The Bad- In this day of baseball, it is my opinion that a right fielder should, at the minimum, be a plus-plus defender with an average bat, or a plus-plus hitter with an average glove. Nick is average and average. There are teams that would bite on Nick should the Braves make him available, and I think they should.