Spring training is less than month away, and though there will be acquisitions before (and possibly after) pitchers and catchers report, this series will take a look at the players mostly likely to suit up at each level of the organization.
After catcher and shortstop, centerfield is widely regarded as the most important defensive position on a major league baseball field. The Braves have had a philosophy of being strong defensively in centerfield for decades, and have been blessed with superlative defensive players like Otis Nixon, Marquis Grissom, Michael Bourn, and especially Andruw Jones. Ender Inciarte continues that tradition, but there’s a two prospects in the minor leagues now that could take over in a year or two.
Also in this series:
First Base | Second Base | Third Base | Shortstop | Centerfield | Corner Outfield | Starting Pitcher
ATLANTA BRAVES
STARTER: Ender Inciarte
Inciarte begins his fourth year in Atlanta with now with three well-earned Gold Glove Awards on his mantle and earning the gratitude of Braves pitchers, several of whom are naturally flyball pitchers. Inciarte was installed as the team’s lead-off hitter in August 2016 and from that point through 2017 he hit .302/.353/.405. In 2018 however, Inciarte slumped to a .223/.292/.266 from the lead-off spot and by mid-July he had given way to Ronald Acuña. Manager Brian Snitker has indicated his preference to restore Inciarte to the lead-off spot; to be fair, he did hit a more Ender-like .302/.345/.448 after the All-Star break and while most analytically-inclined fans would prefer to keep Acuna in the lead-off spot in order to maximize his season plate appearances, it’s not crazy to hope a revitalized Inciarte can hold down the #1 spot in order to lengthen the line-up. Inciarte just turned 28 years old and is halfway through a team-friendly 4-year contract.
Back-up: When Inciarte gets a day off, Ronald Acuña will likely just slide over from a corner to play center, which is his natural position anyway.
GWINNETT STRIPERS (CLASS AAA)
STARTER: Ryan LaMarre
A 2010 2nd-round selection by the Reds, LaMarre has been a quintessential quad-A type player since making his major league debut with Cincinnati in 2015. Though he’s seen major league action every season since then, he hadn’t been able to stick until landing with the White Sox mid-season last year after Chicago had to cast about looking to back-fill in an injury-plagued outfield. LaMarre parlayed the opportunity into a .303/.324/.485 batting line in 71 plate appearances. Now 30 years old, LaMarre signed a minor league free agent contract with Atlanta and essentially replaces Danny Santana as the Braves emergency outfielder, trading some of Santana’s defensive flexibility for defensive expertise; LaMarre is above average in the field.
Back-up: Another minor league free agent, Rafael Ortega, is the most likely back-up centerfielder for the Stripers. By foot-speed the 27-year-old Ortega is likely faster than LaMarre, in the Inciarte class of runners, but hasn’t demonstrated the overall defensive skill. Ortega got a 51-day stint with the Marlins last year and didn’t make an appearance in the centerfield, though he played the position extensively the year before in AAA.
MISSISSIPPI BRAVES (CLASS AA)
STARTER: Cristian Pache
Perhaps the most athletic prospect in the Braves system, Pache is a dominant force in the field and has been recognized pretty much in every publication as the best defensive baseball player currently in the minor leagues. Pache worked hard to revamp what had been a groundball oriented swing and he came through with a solid .279/.307/.410 season between Florida and Mississippi, but tailing off sharply at the end of the season. The next step for Pache is to find more consistency in his swing and tap even more into what could be 20-30 HR power. If he starts doing that, there’s a slim possibility he could be in Atlanta to help the Braves down the stretch. If not, there’s still plenty of time for the 20-year-old.
Back-up: A former 12th-round pick in 2012, Connor Lien hit minor league free agency but quickly re-signed with the Braves. Lien’s a lifetime .237/.312/.374 hitter in the minors, and has hit under the Mendoza line each of the last two seasons, but he’s a top-notch defender with one of the best outfield arms in the minor leagues. Lien can play any outfield position and is a pitcher’s best friend in the wide open outfield of spacious TrustMark Park.
If Izzy Wilson is in Mississippi to start 2019, he’s also more than capable of playing centerfield, though he’s been shunted to right field most of is minor league career due to being teammates with Ronald Acuna (2015), Cristian Pache (2016 and ’17), and Drew Waters (2018).
FLORIDA FIRE FROGS (CLASS A+)
STARTER: Drew Waters
Perhaps the most improved prospect over the course of 2018 was former 2nd-rounder Drew Waters. The switch-hitter proved to be one of the best prospects in the South Atlantic League and he and catcher William Contreras made the jump together in July to Florida. Waters struggled initially upon arriving, but his final two weeks of the season saw him hitting .289/.340/.467 with strong defense. A good spring may see him make the jump to Mississippi, but I think the Braves will want to keep some distance between Waters and Pache so that Waters can continue to play centerfield. That said, if Waters shows out early he could force the organization’s hand. There’s thought in some quarters that Waters is a better prospect than Pache; for example, Baseball America had Waters higher on their Top 10 Braves prospect list. I’m not quite there yet, but Waters has been more successful getting his offensive game out onto the field than Pache so the idea certainly isn’t ludicrous.
Back-up: Of the outfielders that ended the season with Rome last year, Justin Dean seems mostly likely to be ready for a jump up a level, and could slide into the starting role if Waters moves on quickly. Dean is a natural centerfielder and even with Waters on the team, Dean should get plenty of looks. If the Braves play things conservatively, Dean could start the season in Rome and Izzy Wilson in Florida; neither got full seasons at the lower levels, and neither’s play necessarily demanded promotion.
ROME BRAVES (CLASS A)
STARTER: Jeremy Fernandez
Fernandez converted to the outfield full-time in 2018 and had a breakout season for the GCL Braves, slugging .492 and knocking 8 home runs, more than doubling his prior three season pro total. Fernandez also took to centerfield well, enough that he could stick there even if he continues to add muscle. This will be a big year for Fernandez, who will be Rule 5 eligible next off-season.
Back-up: Sixth-round pick Andrew Moritz is a natural centerfielder, but can play either corner as well. I suspect that the Braves will want Fernandez in center however if he makes the team. There’s a good chance Justin Dean returns to Rome to start the season as well, and if that happens he will certainly see the bulk of the time in center. Trey Harris is capable of manning centerfield as well, and the Braves seem to like utility outfielder Jose Bermudez as well.
Centerfield Depth Chart
- Ender Inciarte
- Ronald Acuna
- Ryan LaMarre
- Rafael Ortega
- Cristian Pache
- Connor Lien
- Izzy Wilson
- Drew Waters
- Justin Dean
- Jeremy Fernandez
- Andrew Moritz
- Trey Harris
- Jose Bermudez
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