As the Atlanta Braves gear up for the season, a name many fans probably aren’t familiar with who could have a big role in 2022 is outfielder Alex Dickerson.
Last year the Atlanta Braves had some big performances off the bench from guys like Ehire Adrianza and Pablo Sandoval.
The bench won’t be as important going forward with the universal DH, but that doesn’t mean those guys won’t make a big impact.
Early in the season, with Ronald Acuna Jr. on the IL and then coming back in the DH spot, Alex Dickerson is someone who could play a huge role.
Braves: Alex Dickerson’s Early Season Role
There may be some who think Alex Dickerson won’t make the roster out of Spring Training, but he seems like a lock as the left-handed options are limited.
He’s just 2-for-11 in Spring Training, but he’s walked 5 times and has a .412 OBP. Dickerson also hit his first home run of the Spring on Wednesday.
His other hit this Spring was a double.
With Acuna out to start the year, there’s a chance he even gets to start several games against right-handed pitchers.
In his career, he has a .810 OPS and .481 slugging percentage against righties in 754 at-bats. However, last year he had just a .711 OPS against righties.
Still, the early season options in the outfield are likely he and Guillermo Heredia with Marcell Ozuna taking up the DH spot.
Dickerson isn’t great defensively, but he can’t be much worse than Ozuna and Eddie Rosario.
Even if he doesn’t start, he’ll get some big pinch-hit opportunities against lefties late in games during big spots.
The lack of lefties on the roster, injuries, and his power potential give him a great shot of not only making the roster but creating some big moments for the Braves in 2022.