Gold Gloves, getting hits: Ender Inciarte can be difference for Atlanta Braves

Rejuvenation and Drive

Ender should enter the season healthy and refreshed. He’ll have two studs on either side of him in the Braves’ outfield with superstar-Ronald Acuna Jr. and free-agent signee, Marcell Ozuna.

With World Series aspirations, the Braves are counting on Inciarte returning to form in 2020.

Inciarte is still only 29-years-old and if he’s healthy he should be the heavy favorite to open the season as the Braves’ centerfielder. However, he knows it is no guarantee.

There will be stiff competition on a team that has the fourth-best odds of winning the World Series.

While Acuna is best in rightfield (33 rDRS pace in 2019), he and Ozuna do have experience in center. If Austin Riley figures out how to hit off-speed pitches, his power could force its way into the lineup, at third or in the outfield.

In addition, two of MLB.com’s top twenty-six overall prospects can be found in the outfield of Gwinnett – Cristian Pache and Drew Waters.

Inciarte has two more seasons left before the Braves have a team option in 2022. The pressure is mounting on the gold glover to perform like the All-Star he was.

Inciarte’s Projections for 2020:

Fangraphs lists three different projection systems on each player’s page. Here is what they are predicting for Ender in 2020.

Steamer only projects Ender to play in 70 games. I don’t know if that has to do with playing-time concerns or injury-concerns. Depth Chart predicts 73 games and ATC came in the highest with only 101 games.

Steamer has Inciarte projected to slash .265/.330/.387. That batting average is right in line with the other projections, but it’s well below his career clip of .286.

The Braves are hoping that competition brings the best possible version of Ender Inciarte out in 2020.