Atlanta Braves: So, Who Plays Left Field Until April 13, 2018?

News broke the other day regarding the young phenom Ronald Acuna, Jr. being sent down by the Atlanta Braves. Which begs the question: Who Plays Left until then?

I’ve already complained enough here. Not going to go in again about Acuna being sent down. Needless to say, the date April 13, 2018 looks like it will be one to remember. But what happens until then? Who will roam Left Field for the Atlanta Braves until the kid shows up?

As this is written, The Braves are fine-tuning things against the Detroit Tigers. Heading into the bottom of the 6th. Manager Brian Snitker was on the mic for a mid-game interview with the booth. Snitker was asked about Acuna. That conversation naturally winds into one about what to do in his absence, and then what his Spring actually really means. Meaning, is he really that good?

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The answer to the latter is an indefatigable, “yes”. The answer to the former was addressed by the Skipper.

Initially, Lane Adams was seen as the most likely candidate. Dude has been with the organization for a while. Much of it with the big club. Adams has struggled a bit, though. To date, Adams’ line reads: .239 BA, .239 OBP, .370 SLG, .609 OPS all in 46 At Bats this Spring. That ain’t great.

Thus, it wasn’t completely surprising when Snitker mentioned other names.

Danny Santana is a dude who flashed in spurts a little bit last year, but was never productive long enough to hold a spot. He’s a valuable asset because of his durability, versatility, and overall utility. Santana is a known commodity in the dugout, and is hitting .310 in 42 AB this Spring.

The name that really jumps out is Preston Tucker. Who? You’ll be forgiven for not knowing him. Tucker came over from Houston in a trade in the offseason. The former Florida Gator was a straight baller in Gainesville, and then was drafted by the Astros. He worked his way up through their system, but was never able to truly break through. Hitting was never his problem, dude is hitting .375 in 40 AB this Spring, but his glove has cost him. As I type that, he flashes glove in Left on two separate plays.

If there was grocery money involved, five games out from Opening Day, I’d say Santana will be in Left Field in that first game. But Tucker has made it interesting.

This we know. Whoever gets this chance can make hay out of it. With a bunch of young, quality talent surging, it is a chance to show value to the club.

Then 04/13/2018 will change the landscape.

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