Atlanta Braves Clippings Friday, August 21, 2020 Braves.Com
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Atlanta Braves Clippings Friday, August 21, 2020 Braves.com Inbox: Does Pache change Braves' OF look? Beat reporter Mark Bowman answers questions from fans By Mark Bowman What would you expect the outfield to look like once Ronald Acuña Jr. and Nick Markakis are back? -- @bravesdaniel It depends on how Cristian Pache, the club's top prospect according to MLB Pipeline, fares once he has a chance to test himself against big league pitching. He’s an elite defender and his upside is much greater than that of Jordan Schafer, Andy Marte and other top prospects of yesteryear. But like most mere mortals, he’s not Acuña and it may take him some time to develop offensively, especially during a year when he hasn’t had the benefit of playing on an everyday basis. If Pache has success this weekend and early next week, he may force his way into the lineup on a daily basis. But there’s also a chance he could be sent back to the alternate training site by the time this homestand concludes on Wednesday. Even if Markakis were to continue testing negative, the Braves will likely keep him away from the team until some point next week. As for Acuña, he will remain sidelined until the club is confident he will not have lingering issues with his wrist. Once Acuña is activated, he could return to playing right field against right-handers and center field when Ender Inciarte sits against lefties. This obviously would change if Pache proves he is ready to stay at the big league level. Adam Duvall will likely continue to draw starts in left field against left-handed starters. Markakis’ limited range makes him a better fit in right field, especially at Truist Park, which possesses a cavernous left field. As for Marcell Ozuna, he continue to draw starts at the corner spots but could primarily be used as the designated hitter. Which starting pitcher should the Braves target at the Deadline? -- @MikeBooks1 The expanded playoff field stands as one of the variables that will make it even more challenging to land an impact starting pitcher before next week’s Trade Deadline. But I do expect the Braves will end up landing somebody, even if it’s a slightly off-the-radar acquisition like Kevin Gausman was in 2018. And yes that deal, which also brought Darren O’Day to Atlanta, was a good one based just on how good Gausman was for the first six weeks he was with the Braves. Without looking, I challenge you to name one player sent to the Orioles in that deal. Unless the Reds implode over the next week, Trevor Bauer isn’t going anywhere. There’s also reason to doubt whether the Rangers will opt to deal Lance Lynn or Mike Minor, who has not gotten off to a good start. And I’m not sure the Indians are so mad at Mike Clevinger that they’d be willing to part ways with him at the reduced rate teams will be offering in exchange for pitching this year. So it may be more likely the Braves would take a chance on Dylan Bundy, who has posted a 2.48 ERA through his first five starts for the Angels. As his hard-hit and walk rates have decreased this year, his strikeout rate has increased. His velocity has dropped over the past few years, but this recent revival creates reason to be optimistic about what this former top prospect could also do next season in his final arbitration year. If the Braves do make a move, it will likely be for a pitcher who they would not be contractually committed to beyond the end of this season. What is the status of Cole Hamels? -- @HampB273 Before Tuesday night’s game, manager Brian Snitker said Hamels was feeling good but was “still a little ways” from getting off a mound. I followed by asking if the veteran lefty was cleared to throw off a mound by Sept. 1, would he have enough time to make a regular-season start. “That I don’t know,” Snitker said. “I hope so.” Quite frankly, Snitker and the Braves have no choice but to remain publicly optimistic about the possibility of Hamels becoming healthy enough to pitch at some point. But the fact is, time is running out or may have actually already expired. Hamels said the left shoulder inflammation that forced him to miss Spring Training would have likely kept him sidelined until the latter part of May. Yet, when he showed up for Summer Camp at the start of July, he was not ready to throw live batting practice like the other projected starters. A week later he was shut down again by triceps tendinitis. An ailment that was initially described as simple Spring Training soreness has prevented Hamels from getting back on the mound more than a month later. So there is reason to doubt what he might provide over the remainder of this year. Hamels will likely begin throwing off a mound again next week. If all goes well, he will be activated in September and then steadily attempt to build his innings in big league games. It’s not exactly what you want in a potential playoff race. But when your rotation has been pared down to one standing member, you do what you have to do. Should we be concerned about Marcell Ozuna looking out of place in the outfield? -- @KBsPickFactory Not really. In fact, Ozuna struggling defensively is one of the few things that has gone as predicted in 2020. Atlanta Journal-Constitution Braves activate Chris Martin, option Kyle Wright By Gabriel Burns, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Braves are making another change to their rotation. Kyle Wright, who didn’t make his scheduled start Wednesday because of a rainout, was optioned to the alternate training site in Gwinnett on Thursday. Reliever Chris Martin, who had been out since Aug. 7 with an esophageal constriction, was activated from the injured list and provides needed bullpen depth. Wright, 24, has struggled to consistently throw strikes this season. He owned a 7.20 ERA over four starts, striking out 12 and walking 16 in 15 innings. He exceeded 3-1/3 innings in only one start. Wright is the third starter to open the season in the Braves’ rotation only to wind up in Gwinnett, joining Mike Foltynewicz and Sean Newcomb. Following Wednesday’s rainout, the Braves announced Max Fried, Robbie Erlin and Josh Tomlin would start against the Phillies this weekend. They have two off days next week, allowing them to go with a shorter rotation if they choose. Certainly, the watch for Ian Anderson - the Braves’ No. 1 pitching prospect - is well underway. The Braves have Anderson and left-hander Tucker Davidson at the alternate site, awaiting their major-league debuts. A quick look at good and bad of Braves’ first 25 games By Gabriel Burns, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution As the Braves near the 30-game halfway point of the season, let’s take a glance at some of the positives and negatives over the first 25 games: THE GOOD The bullpen: One of the best bullpens in the majors has helped the Braves withstand troubles with the rotation. Lefty Tyler Matzek might be baseball’s best feel-good story, returning to the majors for the first time since 2015. Before he was tagged for four runs against the Nationals this week, he allowed only two runs over his first eight appearances. Shane Greene looks like his 2019 All-Star self again, allowing one run over 11-1/3 innings. Huascar Ynoa suddenly looks like a productive long reliever. A.J. Minter has resembled his old form, when he was deemed the team’s closer of the future. Darren O’Day and Mark Melancon have met expectations. Grant Dayton has been a serviceable lefty. All-Star lefty Will Smith hasn’t gotten rolling yet, with only four appearances, after beginning the season on the COVID-19 list. Chris Martin rejoined the bullpen Thursday after time on the injured list because of an esophageal constriction. Overall, the Braves boast a deep, experienced bullpen. It’s bailed them out so far, but if starters can’t start covering more innings, it’s going to take a toll on the relief group, as the Braves know. Run production: While the Braves’ offensive has had some shortcomings, they rank eighth in MLB with 124 runs scored. They rank ninth in hits (213), 10th in average (.253) and slugging (.440), and 11th in homers (34). Their 54 doubles lead the majors. They’ve done enough to overcome their overwhelming strikeout numbers and middling on-base percentage. Their 250 strikeouts are one behind the major-league lead, which belongs to Oakland, the team with the American League’s best record. Their .322 on-base mark is 15th in the majors, just a tick behind the National League-best Dodgers. All in all, the Braves are a fringe top-10 offense even in their mediocre form. That’s encouraging for future output, though the team needs to get healthy first. Where they stand: Despite few breaks going their way, the Braves are in good shape postseason-wise, even without considering the expanded field. Down three young All-Stars, they’re 14-11, in first place in the NL East. Now that the Marlins are coming back to Earth, the rest of the division isn’t menacing either; nobody else is over .500. The Braves should still be considered the favorites.