Eury Perez: Does He Fit In With Braves Future Plans?

Before and for a period of two weeks after the All-Star break, Eury Perez was employed as the Atlanta Braves starting left-fielder, and found much success in Fredi Gonzalez‘s lineup.

Despite his success as a part of the Atlanta Braves starting lineup, following the trade for Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn from the Cleveland Indians, Eury Perez finds himself warming the bench for Fredi Gonzalez, unable really even to find a pinch hitting opportunity. Before the trade for Michael Bourn, Perez was hitting in the area of .290 for the Atlanta Braves, consistently making contact with the ball and hitting at an effective clip.

On the year, Eury Perez has hit .274 in 45 games and 117 plate appearances — not bad on a team that has struggled to consistently piece together any semblance of an offense. Perez also played well defensively (save for one game in Milwaukee another in Atlanta earlier this month) in left field, displaying his speed and athleticism. The question is now that the Atlanta Braves have acquired Michael Bourn, and with Cameron Maybin seemingly entrenched in centerfield, does Eury Perez fit into the Braves future plans in any capacity?

More from ATL All Day

Though Eury Perez hit has hit .274 this season, the rest of his stat line is underwhelming. His on-base-percentage is a mediocre .336 and his slugging percentage is a lowly .308. Perez also has not done much in the area of driving in runs for the Atlanta Braves, possessing only 5 RBI’s in 2015.

Though Michael Bourn has become the primary left fielder for the Braves since his acquisition, he has not hit well, recording only 2 hits and a .071 batting average in almost two weeks. Some of this is just bad luck for the veteran outfielder, but if this continues, we may see Fredi Gonzaez insert Perez back into the starting lineup in the near future to allow Bourn to clear his head.

More from Atlanta Braves

When it comes to Eury Perez and his long-term future with the ball-club, more ambiguity surrounds that situation than what he faces this season. With the Atlanta Braves looking more and more like they are planning on keeping Cameron Maybin and signing him to an extension, the emergence of young prospect Mallex Smith, Nick Markakis entrenched in right-field, and now Michael Bourn as perhaps a starter/fourth outfielder on next year’s squad, Perez’s time remaining with the Braves may be short.

Eury Perez could become another asset for John Hart to leverage as he continues to re-tool the Atlanta Braves, or he could remain with the club next year as a versatile piece coming off the bench — similar to Pedro Ciriaco‘s role with the Braves so far this season. It is all but certain though that Eury Perez does not have a future as a starting outfielder on the Braves, both now or in the near future.

Next: Mallex Smith: Is He Major League Ready?

More from ATL All Day

Home/Atlanta Braves