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Atlanta Braves could find needed depth in designated players

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 13: Gloves and hats of the Atlanta Braves sit on the steps of the dugout against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 13, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 13: Gloves and hats of the Atlanta Braves sit on the steps of the dugout against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 13, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 23: C.J. Cron #44 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a solo home run in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 23, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

The “I didn’t see that coming” category

Three moves caught my eye in this rush.

Unless you’re a Rockies fan, you probably don’t know Patterson. The Rockies drafted the big first baseman back in 2013. Since that time in full-season ball he’s never posted an OPS under .790, never hit less than ten home runs and only once did he hit less than 23 doubles.

He had a cup of coffee in Denver back in 2016 but since then called Albuquerque home. Before this season Fangraphs had him as the Rockies # 18 prospect.

Prospects Report

Team Rank: 18Overall Rank: NAReported: 2018 – UpdatedETA: 2019 

Hit Game Power Raw Power Speed Field Throws Future Value
40 / 50 40 / 50 60 / 60 40 / 40 40 / 45 60 / 60 40

In his last three seasons in AAA, Patterson hit .282/.363/.516/.879 with 66 home runs and 75 doubles. He’s strictly a first baseman/DH but a team that needed a bat – a first base bat – decided not to use him and are now letting him go.

I ask Ben for insight, and he suggested the presence of Ian Desmond may be a factor. He’s not a great fielder, but it’s odd in today’s game to let that kind of potential thump walk away He’s not alone, the Rays did the same thing with C.J. Cron.

Cron is gone

The Rays loved his 2+ fWAR, 122 wRC+, and 30 home run bat, but they let Cron walk away because he would earn $5.1M next season. In today’s game, $5.1M is pocket-change, particularly when that’s all it takes to add a two-win, 30 homer bat.

Like Patterson, Cron plays only first base, but he’s not a bad defender. One would think he’ll have a new home soon.

The player most interesting to the Atlanta Braves is Dietrich.

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