When Ozzie Albies connected for the first walk-off home run in World Baseball Classic history, there was no shortage of Atlanta Braves fans breathing a sigh of relief. Long a fan favorite in Atlanta, Albies' struggles the last few years have created no small amount of angst and led to open discussions over exactly how much longer Albies will be playing for the Braves at all. Now that the dust is settling, those questions are likely to remain.
Albies had a great moment for Team Netherlands, who were surprisingly competitive in what was probably the toughest group in the WBC, and nothing changes that. However, the totality of Albies' work in the tournament is a reminder that consistency remains a problem with him.
After his showing at the World Baseball Classic, Ozzie Albies' future with the Braves remains as up in the air as ever
In fairness to Ozzie, this was a four-game sample against varying competition in a tournament that ultimately has no bearing on the regular season. There is no denying he wanted to do well and to help the team advance, but the pressures and situations are just different, and it is hard to make a direct comparison.
However, the numbers are a little uncanny and something to watch for now that Albies is back in camp. Over the last two seasons, Albies has averaged a .245/.305/.380 line while dealing with injury issues throughout those two years. In the World Baseball Classic, Albies posted a .650 OPS thanks only to that walk-off homer, which is very close to what we have seen from him, down to his near-complete unwillingness to walk. So what have his numbers in spring training looked like? Again, very, very similar with a .200 average and an even worse .600 OPS.
Albies still has plenty of time to change the narrative around him. Right now, pitchers are ahead of hitters, and Albies could go on one of his patented heaters that would quash any worries for a while. At the end of the day, the guy is very obviously still talented, even if the beating his body has taken has begun to wear him down.
Unfortunately, there is also a real chance that this is just who Albies is now, and that would be a shame. It just doesn't feel like that long ago that Albies was promoted to the big leagues and brought that infectious energy of his with him. Nothing about what is happening now changes what he has meant to fans and the Braves as a whole over the years. However, those who have been sounding the alarm about Albies' decline have some more evidence to support their points based on how this spring is going (so far).