Hector Olivera: Who Are the Atlanta Braves Getting?

After a three-team trade that saw Alex Wood and Jose Peraza go to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves’ fans are yearning to know: who is Hector Olivera?

A couple of weeks after the Atlanta Braves sent starting pitcher Alex Wood and prized prospect Jose Peraza to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Braves’ fans are nearing their first taste of what Hector Olivera will bring to the table. Hector Olivera came to the Braves organizations along with prospect Zack Bird in a three-team blockbuster, also involving the Miami Marlins.

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So who is Hector Olivera? Olivera, 30, is a seasoned veteran out of Cuba, who is primarily known for his above average contact skills. In addition to his plus contact skills, Olivera possesses good power and has a keen eye for the strike zone. Over 10 big league seasons in Cuba, Olivera amassed 96 home runs, while hitting .315 or better in nine of those 10 seasons.

In addition to Olivera’s high batting average, he has an advanced understanding of the strike zone. While in Cuba, he never had an on-base percentage (OBP) lower than .351; moreover, in five of his 10 seasons, he had an OBP of .412 or higher, which is elite by MLB standards.

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The only downside to Hector Olivera’s great numbers in Cuba is that he has no big league experience, spending all of 2015 in the minors thus far. After being signed to a 6-year, $62.5 million deal, Dodgers’ fans expected to see the highly touted Cuban to make his debut in Dodger Blue; however, he will be making his 2015 debut soon with the Atlanta Braves.

By being the key piece the Braves acquired in the three-team deal, fans are expecting big things in return from the 30-year-old Cuban. He figures to slot into the starting lineup immediately upon being called up and will likely assume an everyday role at third base, usurping Adonis Garcia from the starting gig.

Alongside Olivera’s bat, he also able to play multiple positions, including first base, second base, and corner outfield. With Freddie Freeman having somewhat of an injury riddled season, Olivera can provide stability at first base, while keeping a plus bat in the lineup moving forward.

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