4 Candidates to Replace Injured Atlanta Braves OF Cristian Pache
By Matt Melton
3. Atlanta Braves Top Prospect Call-Up?
While it is unlikely that the Atlanta Braves opt to call up one of their top prospects to make their MLB debut over veteran options such as Inciarte and Heredia, could we see at least one of them?
The most likely is Atlanta Braves #2 prospect Drew Waters, who is already expected to make his MLB debut at some point in 2021.
Waters is a switch-hitting outfielder capable of playing all-three positions in the outfield. A career .298 hitter in the minor leagues, Waters can flat out hit, as evident by winning a batting title and MVP in Double-A’s Southern League during the 2019 season.
Waters however is also an above-average defender capable of playing anywhere in the outfield, while also capable of stealing bases and hitting for power.
The Atlanta Braves outfield of the future is widely regarded as Acuna, Pache, and Waters, could we see Waters soon?
While we could see a call-up at some point during the 2021 season, is Waters the only one we could see?
Despite a dominant and extremely impressive spring training, it’s still too early to see Michael Harris, while it also feels early for other prospects including Trey Harris and Greyson Jenista.
It sure feels like we could see the MLB debut of Waters during the 2021 season. If Inciarte and Heredia begin to struggle in Atlanta, combined with Waters impressing in Gwinnett, we could see a top prospect call-up to replace Pache. If Waters does get the call, I would expect to see him in Atlanta for good, even when Pache returns.