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3 Atlanta Braves to watch for in a 60-game season

By Daniel Rasmussen

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 30: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after their 10-7 win over the Chicago White Sox at SunTrust Park on August 30, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 30: Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after their 10-7 win over the Chicago White Sox at SunTrust Park on August 30, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Adam Duvall #23 of the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Adam Duvall #23 of the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Braves fans will best remember Adam Duvall for his heroics last October, but more success could be yet to come.

For Adam Duvall, an abbreviated 2020 season might lead to success.

He has the track record, after all, of seeing his best production of the season take place right from the outset.

A look at his career splits (per baseballreference) is telling of Adam Duvall’s strength out of the gates:

  • Career first half – .244 BA, .502 SLG, .799 OPS
  • Career second half – .220 BA, .415 SLG, .703 OPS

There’s a stark difference in Duvall’s numbers, specifically slugging, in the early-goings of the season when contrasted with how he performs in months four through six.

Fangraphs also notes that Duvy’s power sees its peak over the course of the first few months of play, with his career ISO an eye-popping .259 in the first half (compared to .195 from the All-Star Break in the season’s later months).

Also per Fangraphs, Duvall’s career wRC+ for the first half of the season sits at right at/slightly above league average at 104, but breaks down to just 82 in the second half.

These statistics don’t even account for when Duvall clubbed 32 home runs with Triple-A Gwinnett in the first three months of 2019, before making his return to Atlanta.

Why is this all important?

Say baseball goes forth with the 60 or 70-game season proposal. Who better to benefit from the sprint-like format than a power hitter who has built his reputation on mashing baseballs when he’s fresh – in the season’s first three months?

Adam Duvall fits that bill.

Furthermore, if players and owners do, in fact, come to terms on the proposal for a universal designated hitter, Adam Duvall could see his role with Atlanta flourish in 2020.

With an outfield surplus, the Atlanta Braves would seemingly welcome the DH as an opportunity to get Duvall’s power into the lineup on a more regular basis.

“Duvy” definitely brought excitement to Atlanta Braves fans last October. He might be a dark horse to lead the charge in a shortened 2020.

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