Atlanta Braves Lane Adams Could Be Given Starting Role
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves could give outfielder Lane Adams a chance to start this season as they prepare for Ronald Acuna. With no other clear options on the roster Adams could get his chance in 2018.
Ronald Acuna may be the talk of the Atlanta Braves off-season but it seems to be more and more likely that Acuna will be held back because of service time. Holding Acuna back for just two weeks alone would give the Braves another year of the young slugger.
With that in mind it would be crazy for the Braves not to hold back Acuna for a bit. Aside from Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis Adams is the only clear outfielder that will make the roster.
A season after proving surprising value from the bench Lane could be given a chance at a starting gig. If he were to then prove capable of starting full time the Braves could opt to move Nick Markakis before the trade deadline. Keeping Adams and Acuna both in the lineup.
Lane Adams plays above average defense in the outfield and has shown the ability in his short stint in the Majors to come up with clutch hits. His swing has few flaws and gets consistent contact.
It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Adams not only be given the chance to start early in 2018 but to prove more than capable and keep the job if he can continue the season he had in 2017.
Ronald Acuna may be the most exciting player to watch this season for the Braves but Lane Adams could prove to have a surprising season as well. He has proven he can hit Major League pitching now the question is can he do it every day if given a chance in the Braves starting lineup?