2017 Atlanta Braves Player Preview: Emilio Bonifacio
Emilio Bonifacio is back in Atlanta, for now anyway. What will be bring to the Braves this season?
Atlanta Braves baseball is back for at least the next six months. What a wonderful time to be alive. They may not be a serious contender, but the organization boasts a selection of interesting veterans and a stable full of talented prospects to keep fans entertained all season.
Emilio Bonifacio, however, does not fit either of those descriptions. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Not everyone can be Bartolo Colon or Dansby Swanson. Bonifacio’s inclusion on the Opening Day roster was a bit of a surprise, though.
Braves fans will definitely remember Bonifacio. He spent time with Atlanta briefly last season and also in 2014. Bonifacio played the majority of his 2016 season with the Gwinnett Braves in Triple-A.
Bonifacio In 2016
He hasn’t exactly been a productive big league player over the last few seasons. Last season, Bonifacio made 43 plate appearances over 24 games with the Braves. He hit .211/.268/.211 with no homers, three RBI, and one stolen base. He posted a wRC+ of 32, a wOBA of .222, and a WAR of -0.6.
For his career, he’s slashed .258/.315/.335 with 13 homers, 166 stolen bases, and a career WAR of 5.4. Bonifacio is well past his prime. His days of significantly contributing at the big league level are over. So, why is he on the roster? Versatility, I suppose.
Tomahawk Take’s own Colby Wilson summed up his current status as a player rather clearly in a recent post.
"He’s had one above-average season at the plate, when he hit .296 (with a wRC+ of 109) for the Marlins in 2011—and the featured 129 strikeouts for a guy who started the season batting leadoff and ended it hitting eighth. He’s had a negative Win Probability Added in each season of his career save two (2010, 2016) and had an incredible (in a bad way) wRC+ of 2 for the White Sox in 2015.“But his versatility!” I can hear some of you shouting. “He can play lots of positions!”"
What’s His Role?
As you might have guessed, Bonifacio can play several different positions. Throughout his career, he’s spent time at second base, third base, shortstop, left field, center field, and right field. At one point, he really was a jack of all trades that could provide value all over the field.
Braves general manager John Coppolella values positional versatility. Every front office does these days. Here’s what Coppy had to say about the Opening Day roster last week. Coppolella’s quote is from Michael Cunningham’s article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
"“We met as a group and felt this roster would give us the most flexibility and best opportunity to compete,” Braves general manager John Coppolella said."
He’s been primarily an outfielder for the last few seasons. He’ll begin the season listed as Atlanta’s fourth outfielder, though Jace Peterson and Chase d’Arnaud would likely get starts in left field before Bonifacio.
I’d be shocked if Bonifacio was on Atlanta’s roster for the duration of the season. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if the team went out and acquired a bench bat/fourth outfielder in the next few weeks. Bonifacio’s days in Atlanta may be limited.
All that being said, Bonifacio has seemed to be a good “clubhouse guy” during his career. There has to be a reason Atlanta keeps bringing him back. He won’t be on the roster all season, but for now, he won’t do any harm as the last guy on the bench.
Next: 5 Braves That Could Surprise in 2017
Projections
Steamer: .251/.304/.357, -0.1 WAR
ZiPs: .242/.289/.302, -0.6 WAR