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Evaluating the Atlanta Braves Current Outfield Options

By Trent Dickeson

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 19: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a walk-off homer in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on May 19, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MAY 19: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a walk-off homer in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Truist Park on May 19, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
Abraham Almonte #34 of the Atlanta Braves. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Braves Option 4: Abraham Almonte

Abraham Almonte just recently had his contract selected by the Braves and has only been with the for thirteen games.

He has been pretty solid for those thirteen games, he is currently hitting .258/.439/.452 with one home run, five runs, two RBIs, .396 wOBA, and a 151 wRC+.

In Gwinnett this year, he was hitting .403/.554/.613 with three home runs, sixteen runs, nineteen RBIs, three steals, .512 wOBA, and a 219 wRC+.

Given the circumstances the Braves were facing, they had to give Almonte a shot at the big-league club based on how he was playing in Gwinnett.

For his career, he is a .238/.303/.372 .295 wOBA, 83 wRC+ hitter. Meaning, he probably will not maintain the 151 wRC+ he currently has through forty-one plate appearances.

He does not necessarily need to be an elite hitter, just find a way to be serviceable for a few weeks. If he provides similar production to what Heredia gave the Braves that first month, that would be a blessing.

Historically for his career, Almonte has been slightly above average on the bases. In a small sample, he sits at a 0 UBR in 2021 for the Braves.

In 2021, he currently sits at a -2 DRS in 73 innings in left field. He also has played 5 innings in right field (0 DRS).

Throughout his career, he has been a serviceable outfielder.

Career OF numbers:

  • Left Field: 505.2 innings- -2 DRS
  • Center Field: 1298.1 innings- 6 DRS
  • Right Field: 601 innings- 4 DRS

Interesting to note that he had a 7 DRS season in center field in 2014 and a 5 DRS in right field during the 2016 season.

If we treat those years as outliers, he has been an average outfielder for his career. If he can be average defensively and just not hurt the Braves in the field, then it increases his value for the team currently.

Overall, in a small sample, Baseball Reference gives him a 0.2 WAR and FanGraphs gives him a 0.3 fWAR.

The Braves will probably want to ride the hot hand in Almonte while they can. If he can keep this up for a few weeks, he will be extremely beneficial to the Braves lineup.

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