Braves Option 2: Ehire Adrianza
Ehire Adrianza, along with Pablo Sandoval, both provided tremendous value off the bench for the Atlanta Braves early in the season. There is no telling where the Braves would be without either player.
Adrianza was arguably one of the few bright spots on the team during the first few weeks off the bench, but thanks to the aforementioned circumstances, and his versatility, Adrianza has been asked to play a more regular role in left field.
His overall numbers: .224/.295/.378 with three home runs, fourteen runs, seventeen RBIs, .292 wOBA, and an 83 wRC+. Not exactly great numbers.
Breaking it down by month:
- April: .257/.293/.543 2 HR, 7 R, 8 RBIs
- May: .205/.262/.308 1 HR, 6 R, 9 RBIs
- June: .208/.345/.250 0 HR, 1 R, 0 RBIs
A more regular role has exposed Adrianza somewhat. He was better served in as the super utility bench option.
His -0.1 UBR on the bases show he is not providing any value there either.
Defensively, it is apparent that outfield is not Adrianza’s natural position. In 67 innings in right field, he has a -1 DRS and in 43.2 innings in left field, he has a -1 DRS.
He has played two innings in CF due to an in-game injury and currently has a 0 DRS there, but that is not significant, and it does not appear Adrianza will play CF unless it is an emergency.
Adrianza is a middle infielder naturally, so it is understandable that he is not the best in the outfield.
Overall, baseball reference has him at a -0.3 WAR and FanGraphs gives him a -0.2 fWAR.
Adrianza has given the Braves some big moments at the plate off the bench this season that we should be thankful for, but more regular playing time has not been kind to Adrianza. A move to the bench would be best, unfortunately, the Braves cannot afford that at the moment, and he will need to play semi-regularly.