Atlanta Braves Spring Chop: Who’s getting the playing time?

We’re five games into the Spring schedule now – with 25 more to go, so are there any trends showing up yet?

I like to watch how the Atlanta Braves use their players during the Spring.  I like to see who is getting the most AB’s and the most innings to pitch.  It can be an indicator of scrutiny as the coaching staff pays attention to how certain players can handle game situations.

Also telling are the times when players are used within games.  Teams front-load their best talents – pitchers and position players.  So you might be getting 3 AB’s per game, but if they are coming after the 5th inning starts, then that .350 batting average might not be an indicator of real production.

This year, these ‘player use’ numbers are going to be skewed for a while and unfortunately it’s too early to make any judgments yet – most starting pitcher-types haven’t gotten a second outing.

Also, with (a) the Braves starting with 3 road games, and (b) the rules requiring some veterans to hit the road being waived, there have been a lot more minor leaguers getting more play time than usual.  So it could be mid-March before such trends really show themselves… a lot later than normal.

But as a stark reminder of just how poor an indicator that Spring stats are in determining in-season performance, here are a few things from last season’s Grapefruit League:

• Matt Kemp:  batted .200
• Emilio Bonifacio:  batted .278
• Adonis Garcia:  .326
• Dansby Swanson:  .308
• Ender Inciarte:  .216

Then there was Freddie Freeman… he hit .489 in 47 AB with 14 RBI.

Still Waiting

Here’s an example of what I mean about playing time – especially for pitchers:  this was Dave O’Brien’s answer to the question “What’s the story with [Aaron] Blair?  I heard he reported 40 lbs. lighter, but nothing since.”

Speaking of pitchers who haven’t thrown yet…

Gohara Update

His first bullpen session went well, by all reports.  This one tomorrow may determine whether – and when – he can be penciled into a Spring game situation.

More on Ben Revere

Okay… not so much about Revere as it is my take on what the attempt to sign Revere may really mean.  Stick with me on this…

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Right now, the OF consists of Lane Adams, Ender Inciarte, and Nick Markakis.  Revere was going to be the candidate to hold down LF until Ronald Acuna arrives… a stop-gap guy.

Markakis’ contract runs through 2018.  So that’s really 2 long-term outfield slots that the Braves need to fill in the next year.  One goes to Acuna.  The other…

The Braves were not looking at Revere for the long term.  It’s apparent that they are not interested in a controllable outfielder… short of a Christian Yelich-type who would be worth having for a while.

We haven’t heard even a sniff that Markakis might be traded, either.  It seems like there is an expectation that barring an offer that can’t be refused, he’ll be a Braves for the duration of the season.

My belief?  There’s a teen in the ranks that Atlanta is now watching carefully while keeping their outfield options open.

Here’s a response to a statement made to Marietta Daily Journal  writer Nubyjas Wilborn – which echos a lot that we’ve already been hearing this Spring.  That statement was “The one AB I saw of Pache’s stood out to me.  Confident and really turned on a base hit to left.”

So there’s 2 OF positions that may be waiting to get filled… the next big question, then, is “how long will it be before the 19-year-old Pache is ready for prime time?”  He will probably start at High-A Florida for 2018, but could be in AA by June if his bat holds.

Next: What a Relief!

From that point?  Normally, we’d say ‘sometime in 2020’, but who knows?