Atlanta Braves Prospect Anfernee Seymour focused on hitting in new role at Rome

The Braves farm system has plenty of speed throughout, and one of the speediest of all spends his evenings keeping fans excited at State Mutual Stadium in Rome.

Acquired by the Atlanta Braves in a trade with the Marlins in August of last season, Anfernee Seymour entered during the home stretch of low-A Rome’s South Atlantic League Championship run.

A native of the Bahamas, Seymour attended high school in Delray Beach, Florida and played outfield at American Heritage. When the Marlins drafted him in 2014, however, he was transitioned to the infield.

Seymour never seemed to settle into the shortstop roll, committing 29 errors in only 61 games in short season single-A for the Marlins in 2015. He had another 42 errors in his first full season at the low-A level last year.

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This season, back with the Rome Braves, Seymour has transitioned back to the outfield and it seems to be helping his overall game.

“I’m pretty much comfortable,” Seymour said in the clubhouse after Rome’s home opener. “I take the pressure off me trying to be perfect in the infield and perfect at the plate. Not saying the outfield is easy, but it’s less pressure than playing the infield, so I get to focus more on hitting.”

Between Greensboro and Rome in 2016, Seymour hit .257 and carried a .296 on base percentage, but racked up a combined 43 stolen bases. Through the first nine games playing left field at Rome, the speedy top-30 Braves prospect is hitting over .300 with an OBP just below .400 so far.

Headlining a very speedy Rome lineup that also features Derian Cruz, Cristian Pache and Randy Ventura, Rome manager Randy Ingle has entrusted 21-year-old Seymour with the team’s leadoff spot.

Seymour said he’s adjusting to the self imposed pressure that comes along with the top of the lineup. “Sometimes when I don’t really get on, or do anything I get mad at myself because I feel as though when I get going the whole team gets going, you know?”

When he does get on base, however, there’s not a whole lot of guessing what’s likely going to happen. “Skip told me I pretty much have the green light… whenever I feel comfortable, go, unless he shuts me down.”

The way this year’s Rome Braves lineup has been flying around the base path, it doesn’t look like Randy Ingle has been shutting down Seymour, or any of his other speedsters very often.

As one of the remaining members of the 2016 SAL title squad, I asked Seymour how this year’s team is meshing and how it compares to last year’s group.

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“Honestly, I feel like this is almost just like the same team as last year,” Seymour said. “We have a great staff, the guys go out there every day and try to give us strong innings. The guys go out there every day try and give us strong innings and young guys in the outfield, young guys in the infield.”