Rumor has it that the Atlanta Braves are pondering if they should search out a leadoff hitter before the July 31 trade deadline comes and then goes. As of right now, the leadoff hitter is center fielder Jordan Schafer. Schafer has been up and down with the Braves minor league and major league clubs in recent years. Braves tried him out at center field in 2009 where speed was definitely not his issue. He can cover the center field with the best of them. In 2009, Schafer struckout 63 out of his first 167 career at-bats in the majors. That, and a wrist injury plagued him, and ultimately caused his demotion back to the minors.
In 2011, Schafer started out the season in the minors. But with the injury to then center fielder Nate McLouth which forced him to the DL, Schafer was then brought up. In 152 at-bats this season, Schafer has cut his k's down to just 31. He already has 11 stolen bases this season, but is hitting a cool .243 with six RBI's, but...
Here's my take. Keep Schafer!!! I believe he is more consistent than McLouth. I like McLouth, but Schafer's speed is what make Schafer more valuable than McLouth. McLouth is starting in left field, but that is only because starter Martin Prado is on the DL. When Prado returns to left, someone will have to be deactivated. My opinion is Schafer should be in center. Even if he doesn't hit for average, he can lead off with a walk or pushed bunt, the speed is all the more important on the base pads. He doesn't have to hit for average because he has the big boppers behind him in 3B Chipper Jones, C Brian McCann, RF Jason Heyward, and up and coming star 1B Freddie Freeman.
With the Braves 9-1 win last night over the Colorado Rockies, the Braves (52-36) have moved up to only three games back of the Philadelphia Phillies (55-33) with their lost last night to the Florida Marlins for first place in the NL East. The Braves finish up the homestand today as they go for the four game sweep against the Rockies. First pitch is set for 1:05 pm.
No comments:
Post a Comment