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Atlanta Braves: Dissecting Team Needs for 2016

By Matthew Schoettler

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Sep 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Jace Peterson (8) bats against the New York Mets in the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

WHO SHOULD START AT 2B IN 2016?

Acquired in a trade from the San Diego Padres, Jace Peterson started the 2015 season as the Atlanta Braves’ everyday second baseman. He cracked the 25-man roster out of Spring Training a never looked back. However, Peterson endured a somewhat pedestrian season, finishing with a .239/.314/.355 slash line.

-= Related: Daniel Castro: Earning 2016 Roster Spot Now? =-

From the beginning of the season to the end of June, Jace Peterson performed well, owning a .266 batting average. However, the wear and tear of the MLB season likely played a part in seeing his average drop from .266 to .239. On the bright side, Peterson showed his durability, playing in 152 games. Peterson’s bat lags behind his glove. This season, while playing 144 games at second base, Peterson owned a .986 fielding percentage, an impressive clip for a rookie.

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    • Later in the 2015 season, the Atlanta Braves called up prospect Daniel Castro, who can play both shortstop and second base. Castro performed well in a small sample size, but he possesses a bat absent of power. Also, in 30 games played this year, Castro’s fielding percentage hovered around .980, but according to Fangraphs, Castro’s weighted runs created (WRC+) sat at 60, an sits in the “awful” range.

    Peterson’s WRC+ is not much better, sitting at an even 80, ranking him in the “below average” category. Both players resemble replacement-level players, but the upper-hand goes to Peterson. Daniel Castro’s role, moving into next season, fits as a bench player, leaving Peterson as the starter. Unless the Atlanta Braves pursue another option at second base, expect to see Jace Peterson handle the keystone position in 2016.

    Next: Who Gets the Nod at Third Base?

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