Debuting in the big leagues is a dream come true for all professional baseball players. However, sometimes a debut doesn’t always go as planned, such as Roel Ramirez of the St. Louis Cardinals giving up six earned runs and four home runs in 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox. Nevertheless, for most players, the thrill of taking a major league field for the first time trumps a good or bad performance. But for some players, their debut provides a lasting memory that not only they but an entire fan base will remember. With the upcoming debut of Atlanta Braves top prospect Cristian Pache, let’s take a look at the top three MLB Debuts from Braves players in recent memory.
Top Three Atlanta Braves MLB Debuts in Recent Memory
No. 3 — Austin Riley
Very few prospects receive as much hype before their first big-league game as Austin Riley did last season. Before being called up on May 15th, he was on a tear in Triple-A. He had 15 home runs on the season and hit 13 of those in his last 18 games.
Riley lived up to the hype and delivered in his MLB debut, homering off Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha. Riley’s 438-foot blast into the left-field seats sent SunTrust Park into a frenzy. It also provided an unforgettable moment for his family and friends who were in attendance.
No. 2 — Jeff Francoeur
On July 6, 2005, the Braves called up highly-touted prospect and Atlanta native Jeff Francoeur. He would go on to make his debut the next day against the Chicago Cubs, and it would be a memorable one. In his first at-bat, Francoeur stepped up to the plate and received a standing ovation from the 34,847 fans in attendance at Turner Field.
“I really didn’t know what do, but Michael Barrett was catching, and he said, ‘Step back, kid, and take it in,” Francoeur said. It only happens once.”
Fast forward to the eighth, with Atlanta winning 5-4, Francoeur came to the plate 0-3 with two strikeouts. Facing off against left-hander Glendon Rusch with two on and a 3-2 count, Francoeur drove a ball to right-center field for his first big-league home run, which was also his first big league hit. The reaction from his family and the crowd makes this moment one of the best in recent memory.
No. 1 — Jason Heyward
Jason Heyward, a hometown kid and the Braves’ first-round pick from 2007, came to the majors with a lot of expectations. In his MLB debut, which was also Opening Day, he didn’t disappoint.
The Braves trailed the Cubs 3-0, before tying the game in the bottom of the first off Carlos Zambrano. With the game now tied, Heyward came to the plate with two runners on and one out. He didn’t waste any time making himself known, as he belted a three-run homer on the first pitch he saw in the majors. The sellout crowd at Turner Field erupted as Heyward rounded the bases.
“[Braves manager] Bobby Cox was saying he’d only seen one other guy hit the ball like that, and it was Hank Aaron, and [Heyward] hits a home run in his first at-bat,” former Brave Eric Hinske said. “That was amazing.”
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