Atlanta Braves: Five Second Half Predictions

A.J. Pierzynski Will Be Traded, Enter Christian Bethancourt

Jun 26, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) on the field before playing the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The 38-year-old Pierzynski has been excellent this season, batting .283 with 6 homers and 30 RBI’s. An AL team looking for a good hitting catcher or a DH may come calling for Pierzynski’s services before the trade deadline.

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At 38, Pierzynski is not the Atlanta Braves’ catcher of the future, and John Hart will sell high on Pierzynski while he can. Christian Bethancourt, the Braves’ catcher of the future for what has seemed like an eternity, desperately needs playing time at the big-league level, and Pierzynski blocking his progress, it is only logical to assume that he will leave Atlanta in July in order give Bethancourt more MLB experience.

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