Opinion: Should the Atlanta Braves bench Ender Inciarte?
By Steven Teal
Change is coming
Braves manager Brian Snitker recently decided it was time to give second baseman Ozzie Albies the full time role leading off games.
Indication was clear: Albies could be in there on a regular basis. https://t.co/Zcnh0z8QMe
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) April 14, 2019
Ender Inciarte has recently been getting at bats in the 7 and 8 position in hopes that he will quickly figure out his swing. Meanwhile, Albies has done fairly well leading off for Atlanta in the short time he’s been in that position.
The numbers aren’t eye popping but Albies has hit .255/.308/.418 with 14 hits across 59 plate appearances when batting first in the order. They are at least marginally better when you look at them in comparison to Inciarte leading off in 2019.
Albies’ strength comes when leading off an inning. In 30 plate appearances, the 22 year-old has a .310 batting average when starting off an inning offensively.
| Split | G | GS | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | TB | BAbip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leadoff Inn. | 19 | 30 | 29 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | .310 | .333 | .552 | .885 | 16 | .348 |
But how has Ender been doing since he was moved down in the order? He’s done a bit better since being moved down to the 7 and 8 spot. The 8th position has yielded the best results so far (of course it is a small sample size).
In 12 plate appearances, the Atlanta Braves outfielder has slashed .364/.417/.455 with 4 hits including a double. Inciarte has 6 hits across his last 6 games played for Atlanta so it seems that he is starting to find some consistency and that’s the best way to get him moving in the right direction.
| Rk | Gtm | Date | Tm | Opp | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | BOP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 16 | Apr 16 | ATL | ARI | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .173 | .259 | .288 | .547 | 8 | |
| 16 | 17 | Apr 17 | ATL | ARI | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .196 | .274 | .321 | .596 | 8 | |
| 17 | 18 | Apr 18 | ATL | ARI | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .203 | .288 | .322 | .610 | 8 | |
| 18 | 19 | Apr 20 (1) | ATL | @ | CLE | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .194 | .275 | .306 | .582 | 9 |
| 19 | 20 | Apr 20 (2) | ATL | @ | CLE | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .197 | .274 | .303 | .577 | 9 |
| 20 | 21 | Apr 21 | ATL | @ | CLE | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .197 | .269 | .310 | .579 | 9 |
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
To answer the original question posed, I don’t think Ender Inciarte needs to be benched.
His defense is too valuable to have him sitting in the dugout… and the Braves’ depth overall is a bit sketchy in the outfield, so (at least for now) continuing to use him is the right thing.
Moving him down in the order was necessary and I think it will get him going in the right direction.
Next. Who Will No Longer Be A Brave in 2020?. dark
I understand the frustration in the slow start every season but no matter what he plays his heart out and loves being in Atlanta. That’s all I could ever ask for from anyone on our team.