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Adonis Garcia: Can He Contend for Starting 3B Job During Spring Training?

By Jonathan Savitske

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Third-base has been a revolving door for the Atlanta Braves for the entire 2015 season.

The team began the year with Chris Johnson as the starting third baseman, only for him to struggle at the plate for most of the early going. Chris Johnson was signed to a 3-year, $25 million extension with the Atlanta Braves in 2014, entrenching him and his unfriendly contract with the club for the near future.

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After struggling throughout the month of April, the Atlanta Braves traded reserve Alberto Callaspo to the Los Angeles Dodgers for veteran third-baseman Juan Uribe on May 27th. Juan Uribe instantly galvanized the Atlanta Braves, becoming one of their best offensive options and providing a veteran presence in the Braves’ clubhouse.

With the Atlanta Braves, Uribe had a slash line of .311/.337/.340 with 7 home-runs and 17 RBI’s. At the end of July, President of Baseball Operations pulled the trigger again, sending Uribe and Kelly Johnson to the New York Mets for a pair of minor league prospects in late July. 

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Chris Johnson was once again re-inserted in the Braves lineup following the departure of Uribe. His days with the Atlanta Braves would be numbered following the acquisition of Hector Olivera from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Unhappy with his place on the Atlanta Braves, Chris Johnson was sent to the Cleveland Indians in August for Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher. After Chris Johnson was traded to Cleveland, long-time minor league journeyman Adonis Garcia debuted and became the Braves primary option at third base for over a month.

Adonis Garcia impressed during his time as the Atlanta Braves starting third-baseman, hitting clutch home-runs and becoming an effective run manufacturer. Once Hector Olivera was healthy enough to debut in the beginning of September, Adonis Garcia was relegated to the bench — but the Atlanta Braves and Fredi Gonzalez did not forget his impact on the club.

Hector Olivera is projected to be the Atlanta Braves third-baseman of the future, as scouts believe he can be a .300 hitter and hit 20 home-runs per season. Since Olivera’s debut, he has been somewhat effective, but nothing close to what scouts believe about his potential (granted Olivera has been in the major’s for a little less than a month).

Fredi Gonzalez stated that he would still put Adonis Garcia’s bat in the lineup, even with Olivera on the team. With a struggling offense, Garcia has been consistent, providing a spark whenever he plays.

On the year, Adonis Garcia has hit .273 with 8 homers and 23 RBI’s. Though Hector Olivera projects to be the Braves’ starting 3B of the future, could Adonis Garcia have a chance of winning the starting job in Spring Training of 2016? I believe he does.

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If Adonis Garcia can demonstrate in Spring Training that he can remain consistent at the plate, and if Hector Olivera falters, Garcia may begin the year at third-base for the Atlanta. It could be a decision on the part of the front-office to give Olivera more time to adjust to the majors, or to form a platoon at 3B. Whatever the reason, Adonis Garcia has a shot to be a surprise contender for a starting role going into next season.

I believe that Adonis Garcia could have a similar story to Martin Prado with the Atlanta Braves. Prado worked hard and played effectively every chance he got, eventually earning a starting role. If Garcia continues to play well, and Hector Olivera isn’t all that he’s cracked up to be, Adonis Garcia could be sitting in the middle of the Braves’ batting order in 2016 — and I wouldn’t even be disappointed. 

Next: Matt Wieters: Solution at Catcher for Braves in 2016?

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