The Atlanta Braves infield group should produce offensively and defensively in 2017. The Braves’ unit boasts a superstar at first base, a dynamic duo up the middle, and a platoon at catcher and third base. This is an exciting mix of young players and crafty veterans that will open SunTrust Park as the Atlanta Braves infield
Atlanta Braves Position Preview: Infield
Catcher (All Stats for 2016)
Tyler Flowers – 83 G, .270 BA, 8 HR, 47 RBI, .777 OPS, 109 OPS+, 0.3 WAR
Kurt Suzuki – 106 G, .258 BA, 8 HR, 49 RBI, .704 OPS, 90 OPS+, 0.3 WAR
Anthony Recker – 33 G, .278, 2 HR, 15 RBI, .828 OPS, 123 OPS+, 0.6 WAR
Catching was a weakness for the Braves in 2016, and will continue to be a soft spot for 2017. Nevertheless, Atlanta’s front office decided not to take the risk of buying from the unpromising free agent class of catchers. They stuck with their primary catcher from last season in Tyler Flowers and cheaply signed a proven veteran in Kurt Suzuki.
Flowers and Suzuki will be platooning for most of the season. Flowers should appear more against right-handed pitching with the left-handed duties coming from Suzuki. The Braves haven’t made the decision who will have the task of catching R.A. Dickey‘s knuckleball this season, but all signs point to Suzuki, who is a more efficient backstop.
Anthony Recker won’t see much playing time. However, Atlanta did carry three catchers in 2016, and Recker fared well in the appearances he made, producing the same WAR as Flowers and Suzuki combined.
First Base
Freddie Freeman – 158 G, .302 BA, 34 HR, 91 RBI, .986 OPS, 157 OPS+, 6.5 WAR
Freddie Freeman is the first baseman for the Atlanta Braves. Not only that, but he is the face of the franchise and a budding star in all of baseball. Freeman’s star shone brightest in 2016. After an abysmal April, he spent the rest of the season dominating pitching, finishing in the top five of every offensive category among first baseman.
Success in Atlanta has become a direct result of Freeman’s production. The Braves started 9-28 last season during Freeman’s early season slump. After Freeman caught fire, Atlanta was 59-65, with Freeman bolstering the best offensive team in the National League in the second half. Signing Freeman to an 8-year, $135 million contract in 2014 is proving to be more of a steal for the Braves every day.
With that said, the question of first base doesn’t pertain to Freeman’s ability to play the position. The question comes from who would supplant Freeman barring an injury. As of now, the Braves have no back-up option for Freeman. The early choice for the role, Christian Walker, was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds, and players like Matt Tuiasosopo and Balbino Fuenmayor aren’t likely options to make the 25-man roster. If healthy, Freeman won’t have a problem playing 162 games. But the options when he’s not available are slim at best.
Second Base
Brandon Phillips – 141 G, .291 BA, 11 HR, 61 RBI, .736 OPS, 94 OPS+, 0.8 WAR
Jace Peterson – 115 G, .254 BA, 7 HR, 29 RBI, .715 OPS, 94 OPS+, 0.4 WAR
Atlanta’s second baseman will be Brandon Phillips, but for most of the offseason, that wasn’t the case. Braves fans were excited for the possibility of 20-year old prospect phenom Ozzie Albies taking his assumed mantle as Atlanta’s future second baseman. However, during the Southern League playoffs, Albies suffered a fractured elbow and won’t see much playing time in Spring Training. The next option was Sean Rodriguez, who the Braves signed to a 2-year, $11 million contract on Thanksgiving Day. Then, Rodriguez and his family suffered a bizarre crash courtesy of a stolen police cruiser. Initial reports stated Rodriguez wasn’t harmed, yet later he was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff, likely missing the entire season.
That’s where Phillips comes in. The Georgia native isn’t an All-Star anymore, but he’s a reliable option for Atlanta at second base. He hit at least .290 his last two seasons in Cincinnati and he hasn’t had a 100-strikeout season since 2007. Plus, despite Phillips having his worst fielding season at second base in 2016, he’s still a Gold Glove talent at the position. Braves fans will enjoy the dynamic duo of him and Dansby Swanson up the middle.
Jace Peterson fills the back-up role, however his full value comes as a super utility man that can play multiple infield positions and the outfield. Peterson is a phenomenal athlete and plays defense well at any position.
Shortstop
Dansby Swanson – 38 G, .302 BA, 3 HR, 17 RBI, .803 OPS, 115 OPS+, 0.9 WAR
Chase d’Arnaud – 84 G, .245 BA, 1 HR, 21 RBI, .652 OPS, 76 OPS+, 0.1 WAR
Apart from the opening of SunTrust Park, the most exciting entity of the 2017 Atlanta Braves season will be Dansby Swanson. From mid-August on, Swanson dazzled at shortstop and at the plate, accumulating more WAR in 38 games than any other infielder for Atlanta minus Freeman. He’s the cherry on top of the mound of young talent the Braves front office has acquired over the past two years. Swanson is the favorite to win National League Rookie of the Year and has all the intangibles to become a new face for the franchise.
Chase d’Arnaud had a strong first half in 2016, providing solid appearances for a depleted Braves roster. However, his stats plummeted in the second half, making d’Arnuad an unreliable option as a bench bat. Defensively, he fits the super utility role with Jace Peterson and can play multiple positions on the field. In fact, d’Arnuard has even been given opportunities to play first base while Freddie Freeman plays for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.
Third Base
Adonis Garcia – 134 G, .273 BA, 14 HR, 65 RBI, .717 OPS, 91 OPS+, 0.2 WAR
Rio Ruiz – 5 G, .286 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, .857 OPS, 123 OPS+, 0.1 WAR
Third base is another tough spot in Atlanta. During the first half, Adonis Garcia struggled at the plate and was the worst defensive player in baseball, regardless of position. The Braves sent him Triple-A Gwinnett to tune his skills and the time paid off. In 67 games, he batted .293 with nine home runs and 39 RBI, producing a .789 OPS. He has consistent right-handed power and should fill some pop in the bottom of the Braves order. He performed admirably defensively in the second half, but he still rates as a below-average defender.
Rio Ruiz is an interesting addition to the Braves roster. He’s only amassed five major league games, but if he continues to impress in Spring, he’ll serve as a platoon mate to Garcia. Ruiz has definite left-handed power, and plays the position respectfully. Still, Atlanta could decide to place him in Gwinnett to start the season, and let Peterson or d’Arnuad serve as the back-up option.
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