House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves added two new pitchers, now need two bats

By Fred Owens

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 17: Charlie Morton #50 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts to walking Martin Maldonado #15 of the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 17, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 17: Charlie Morton #50 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts to walking Martin Maldonado #15 of the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game Seven of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 17, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves OF/DH Marcell Ozuna – could there be a reunion? Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

The Atlanta Braves fielded one of baseball’s most potent lineups in 2020 but needs reinforcements for 2021.

We’ve discussed Ozuna’s departure to death but ignored the absence of a consistent number four-hitter in the lineup… and no, Travis d’Arnaud isn’t that guy.  The Braves got a career two months from Travis d’Arnaud, and while d’Arnaud batted .321/.386/.533/.919 in 184 PA, he did that on the back of an unsustainable .411 BAbip.

The soon to be 32-year-old catcher’s highest full-season BAbip is .293. Long seasons wear catchers down. His age and injury history are against him sustaining a bat strong enough to slot four-hole. Also:  no matter who becomes his backup catcher, the catcher shouldn’t bat cleanup either.

Other weak spots

The projected Atlanta Braves’ outfield of Adam Duvall, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Cristian Pache requires reinforcement. Currently, Ender Inciarte is the fourth outfielder, but that will likely change.

Of the three projected starting outfielders, only Acuna is a consistent bat. We have no idea what to expect from Pache; he may hit and even supply some power, but that’s not his projection. However, his glove should carry him into an everyday starting role.

Duvall is a platoon bat looking for a partner; his .224 average against righties in 2020 closely matches his career average of .229.  The Braves need a fourth outfielder who hits well enough to play every day and hit RHP.

Austin Riley continues to disappoint at the plate; I wrote a couple of weeks ago about his struggles at the plate. He’s now had 503 regular season PA and batted .232/.288/.448/.736 with a .307 wOBA and 87 wRC+.

After hitting a homer every 8.7 AB in his first 18 games, his carrying tool slipped to a homer every 23.7 AB while his GB rates climbed to just under 50%.

Getting one bat isn’t enough; the Braves need two, even if Ozuna becomes one of those.

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