Atlanta Braves have a choice if they want to go there: Archer or Yelich
Christian Yelich
- 26 years old, Bats left; throws right; 6-3/195
- Originally from Thousand Oaks, CA
- can play any OF position
- OPS+ 120 in first 5 seasons in majors – pretty consistent
- Homers jumped in 2016-17
- .290/.369/.432/.800 career slash line with 20.6% strikeouts.
- Gold Glove, Silver Slugger
- Games played since 2014: 144, 126, 155, 156
The argument for Yelich is that he will play every day and solidify the defensive of an outfield (with Inciarte and Acuna) where only line drives might find grass.
He’s been compared to Nick Markakis a lot, and that’s generally fair. However, the power potential (39 HR in 2016-17) could still be there to do more than what Markakis was able to muster.
Baseball-reference has Yelich most closely comp’d to these players:
When adding in the “through age 25” priviso, this is the list:
Carlos May, Delmon Young, and… Nick Markakis round out the top 6.
PROS: Everyday player (specifically when compared to pitchers); steady producers; power showing up in last 2 years; solid defender; now entering prime years.
CONS: Not an MVP-like producer