{"id":83696,"date":"2024-08-21T18:51:15","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T22:51:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=83696"},"modified":"2024-08-21T18:51:31","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T22:51:31","slug":"braves-midseason-additions-rewriting-seasons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/08\/21\/braves-midseason-additions-rewriting-seasons\/","title":{"rendered":"Braves Midseason Additions are Rewriting Their Seasons"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2024 season has been unrelenting for the Atlanta Braves. Injury after injury has piled up, with the team losing six All-Stars for significant time or the whole season. With the latest loss<\/a> of Austin Riley<\/a>, many are wondering if this is the knockout blow to the Braves’ playoff aspirations. At first glance, you could initially say that, as the organizational depth of Atlanta has been more than tested to this point. When the dust settled and play resumed on Tuesday night, we were reminded that there is still some life in this Braves team, partly thanks to two of their midseason additions.<\/p>\n

With a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, you could feel the electricity in the air. It\u2019s a good reminder that both the starting pitching and bullpen are still tops in the league. It wasn\u2019t just that the pitching was fantastic, though. Some players who weren\u2019t even on the roster on Opening Day were big contributors. Not only in this game have they been productive, but actually since they\u2019ve put on Braves uniforms. Both Whit Merrifield<\/a> and Ram\u00f3n Laureano<\/a> have been rewriting their 2024 seasons. It comes at the perfect time, too, as Atlanta has been looking for positive results amid all their injuries.<\/p>\n

Both players started their 2024 campaigns for different teams. Merrifield started with the Philadelphia Phillies, and Laureano with the Cleveland Guardians. After some underwhelming performances from the two, their respective clubs decided to part ways with the utility veteran and outfielder. After the injuries to Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr.<\/a> and Ozzie Albies<\/a>, both players got their chance to be everyday starters for the Braves. And they have made the most of their opportunities.<\/p>\n

Braves Midseason Additions are Rewriting Their Seasons<\/h2>\n

Whit Merrifield\u2019s Contributions<\/h3>\n

On July 12, the Phillies decided to release Merrifield<\/a> after some offensive struggles. Philadelphia went on a great run to start the season, and Merrifield still couldn\u2019t get it going offensively. He had just a .199 average and a .572 OPS in 53 games. Releasing Merrifield and going with Weston Wilson<\/a> from their Triple-A organization, his short tenure with the Phillies was over.<\/p>\n

After the injury<\/a> to Ozzie Albies on July 21, Atlanta decided to take a chance on Merrifield, signing the veteran 35-year-old to a major league contract. Initially intended as Albies’ replacement, he also had an injury scare himself, requiring stitches in his right middle finger after taking a ground ball off the finger during warm-ups. Fortunately, he only needed a couple of days to heal and did not land on the injured list.<\/p>\n

Since he joined the Braves and took over the second base position, Merrifield has been a net positive for Atlanta. In 20 games, he has slashed .259\/.386\/.414, sporting an even .800 OPS. Another element he brought to Atlanta is speed in the lineup. He has had five stolen bases and two triples, both things Atlanta has lacked this season. This adds up to a healthy 127 wRC+ in a short time, which is higher than the NL average of 100 wRC+. Above all other things that he has brought to Atlanta, he\u2019s bringing a veteran presence into the locker room. Merrifield is a well-respected nine-year MLB veteran and brings a lot of useful experience as he can play in the infield and outfield.<\/p>\n

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“I would be lying if I said it didn’t feel good to play well against a team that told you that you weren’t good enough to play for them. I do love those guys. I wish them the best, just a little bit less when they play the Braves.”<\/p>\n

Whit Merrifield after tonights W\u2935\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/sufzhSmNMY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) August 21, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n