The emergence of Eli White this season has been one of the Atlanta Braves most heartwarming stories. After impressing pretty much everyone in spring training with his improved hitting and newfound versatility, White has become a real contributor the last couple of weeks after finding scant playing time to start the season. However, with Ronald Acuna Jr. expected to return in the next few weeks, it is fair to wonder about the Braves' outfield plans and how White could fit into them.
White brings a lot to the table and there is basically no world where his actual roster spot is in jeopardy here. He can play in the outfield as well as the infield in a pinch, can really run, and has been showing a lot at the plate this season although that performance is probably not sustainable.
As to how playing time is going to shake out once Acuna Jr. is back, that is a bit trickier to explain. There is a path towards White getting the lineup pretty regularly, but it is going to involve a lot of moving pieces.
Braves should take advantage of Eli White's versatility once Ronald Acuna Jr. returns
All things being equal, an outfield alignment of Alex Verdugo, Michael Harris II, and Acuna Jr. is the best outfield the Braves can field right now. There is a chance that Verdugo falls back to earth to change that, but he is on a heater right now with no signs of slowing down thus far. Even if that holds true, White can and should factor into Atlanta's plans.
Playing against a tough lefty? Play White in center where he has tangible big league experience and give Money Mike the day off. Acuna Jr. need a scheduled rest day or he played late the night before? White is an easy guy to slot in. Verdugo needs to be spelled or it is another tough matchup? Again, White is perfect for that. Hell, it isn't like Nick Allen or Orlando Arcia are doing much at shortstop anyways, so give White a try there every once in a while.
This sort of transmutable lineup arrangement is going to be unfamiliar for manager Brian Snitker as he generally prefers to have his core group of guys and then a lineup with them against lefties and righties. However, White has earned playing time (at least as of now) and having him be Atlanta's Swiss Army knife as the Braves navigate the long baseball season has too much upside to ignore completely.