Atlanta Braves close to adding outfield depth by signing Yasiel Puig

The Atlanta Braves aren’t adding a superstar; Yasiel Puig never reached the heights over-zealous fans predicted. However, he is an above-average Major League hitter and outfielder.

After his explosive arrival in 2013, Puig batted .296/.382/480/.863 and hit 16 homers in 2014 while posting a .379 wOBA and 148 wRC+. His productivity on a Dodger team that won the West earned him a 19th place finish in NL MVP voting.

Atlanta Braves

The 2015 and 2016 seasons became the years of the sore hamstring for Puig. He suffered a hamstring injury six days into the season that cost him four games and ended up visiting the IL three times and playing only 79 games. The injury dogged him in 2016 as well when he managed only 104 games.

Puig returned to his 2014 form in 2017, batting .263/.346/.487/.833 and belting 28 homers, good enough for a .349 wOBA and 117 wRC+. He back that up with a .267/.327/.494/.820 and 23 homers in 2018.  Last season with the Reds and Cleveland, Puig posted .267/.327/.458/.785 line with 24 homers.

What to Expect from Yasiel Puig

The last three seasons are what you can expect from Puig. He’ll post a line around .265/.340/.480/.820, and hit 25 homers. He’ll also play solid defense in right field, and his arm will prevent teams taking the extra base on balls hit that way.  Like every player, he’ll make a mistake or two, but it won’t be for lack of effort.

Puig’s career shows a pretty significant reverse split, which is likely the reason the Atlanta Braves decided to try to bring him on board; he hits RHP better and LHP about the same as Nick Markakis. Kakes struck out less and walked more, but he also provided significantly less power. In term of production Puig was marginally better in both wOBA and wRC+

Statistics courtesy Fangraphs’ Splits Tool.

Puig had a rough 2018 postseason, but so did the most of the Dodger team. In his 202 postseason PA, Puig’s batted .280/.351/.429/.780 with five homers, six doubles, and three triples.