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Todd Cunningham Should Stay In Atlanta, Not Gwinnett

By John Buhler

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Braves Rookie OF Todd Cunningham had a fantastic series at Marlins Park this weekend.  In his first three big league starts, Cunningham went 8-12, scoring four runs, and striking out just once.  Todd has been on the Braves’ 40-man roster for the last few seasons and has struggled to find playing time with the big league ball club.  It had to have been the contracts of the Upton Brothers keeping Todd down in AAA because this guy can rake from both sides of the plate.

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    • When Todd was coming up through the Minors, I came away impressed with his high averages from both sides of the plate and his ability to play all three positions in the outfield.  So why can’t a guy in his mid-20’s who can switch hit and play anywhere in the outfield not on the Atlanta Braves’ Major League roster?  Because Frank Wren paid Melvin Upton, Jr. an absurd amount of cash to hit near the Mendoza Line for two seasons.  Now that both men are out of the equation, it’s time to see what Todd can do in Atlanta.

    With Kelly Johnson landing on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique strain, Atlanta recalled Cunningham from AAA Gwinnett and joined the ball club in South Beach for a three game set with the Miami Marlins.  Fredi Gonzalez has pencilled in Cunningham at left field and opted to move Phil Gosselin back into the infield to play third in KJ’s absence.

    What I’ve liked the most about Todd’s game has been his approach at the plate.  He’s willing to spray the ball to all parts of the field.  I know that he’s not a very youthful rookie, he’s 26, but many players with minimal big league experience don’t like to hit balls to the opposite field for some reason.  He had a single yesterday between third and shortstop that looked reminiscent to the type of single that the late Tony Gwynn perfected into a Hall of Fame career with the San Diego Padres.  Obviously I’m exaggerating a lot with the Gwynn comparison, but rookies normally don’t have the poise or plate discipline to drive the ball to the opposite field when they are first called up.

    With the 2015 Atlanta Braves, I’ve noticed that some longtime farm hands are now ready and capable to contribute at the Major League level.  Cody Martin and Phil Gosselin’s play should keep them in Atlanta this season.  If Todd Cunningham continues to swing the bat well for the Braves, John Hart might have to make a tough decision when Kelly Johnson comes back from the DL.  Somebody might get sent down or DFA’d.  I’m not sure who it will be but through three games, I don’t think Cunningham needs to spend any more time in AAA Gwinnett.  He can help us right here and now.

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