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Mallex Smith: Is He Major League Ready?

By Matthew Schoettler

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With the Atlanta Braves out of contention in the N.L. East, should the team call up Mallex Smith and see what he can offer to the club?

As the days go on, more and more Braves’ fans are clamoring about the call up of outfielder Mallex Smith. Currently at Triple-A, Mallex Smith is putting together a very solid 2015 campaign, splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A.

-= Matt Wisler: Experiencing Some Control Issues? =-

Mallex Smith was one of the many pieces acquired in the Justin Upton trade between the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves. He came to the Atlanta Braves organization with Max Fried, Jace Peterson, and Dustin Peterson. Out of the four prospects the Braves acquired, Mallex Smith could become the second to see big-league experience this season.

Smith, a 5th round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2012, has put together arguably his best season of his young career. Standing at 5′ 9”, Mallex Smith is not going to supply the team with power; however, he has great speed, average, and on-base percentage numbers.

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In his lone season in the Braves’ farm system, Smith has excelled on the base-paths, totaling 48 steals against 10 caught stealing, an impressive 83 percent clip. Although he could slightly improve on his caught stealing, we can expect those numbers to trend in a more positive direction as he gains more experience at the higher levels of the organization.

Moreover, to Smith’s near-elite speed, he possesses above average contact skills. He carries a career slash line of .295/.380/.390 between the Padres’ and Braves’ farm systems, albeit in four seasons of minor-league play. In Double-A this season, Mallex Smith had an impressive batting average of .340, with an amazing on-base percentage of .418, showing his advanced eye for the strike zone.

After being promoted to Triple-A, Smith’s numbers have regressed somewhat; although, it’s expected when making an organizational jump. He still has an above-average slash line of .280/.318/.377 in 49 games at Triple-A.

With the Braves in desperate need of a lead-off hitter, Mallex Smith could fill that void, and he could be the best option the team has to offer. Fredi Gonzalez has deployed numerous options at the lead-off spot this season, but Mallex Smith could be the full-time answer if he can resemble the player he has been in the minors. Smith gets on base and steals bags, both necessary skills for a player who hits leadoff. 

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By having a reliable leadoff hitter, this could fix the offensive woes the Braves have suffered from this season, as well as providing more opportunities for the middle of the order to drive in runs (Freddie Freeman, Nick Markakis, and perhaps Hector Olivera).

The Braves need someone atop the order that can contribute to scoring runs, and Mallex Smith might actually be the best answer. As a guy who can get on base and steal bags, Smith offers a skill set that no one else on the roster has, besides Cameron Maybin. By calling up Smith, the Braves could fix their offensive woes while allowing one of their top prospects to showcase his talents.

Next: Hector Olivera: Who Are the Atlanta Braves Getting?

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