Atlanta Braves: Rio Ruiz Has a Chance to Claim Third Base Job
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves have decided that Rio Ruiz will open the season as the Braves’ third baseman. After injuries and Ruiz’s latest hot streak the decision was an easy one that will give Ruiz a chance.
Rio Ruiz has been on the cusp of cracking the Atlanta Braves roster for a while now. Just failing to take the extra step that he needed to prove he was ready for a roster spot.
It looked to be more of the same early this Spring with Ruiz struggling to make consistent contact and failing to make an impression on the team. That has quickly changed with an injury and Ruiz getting hot at the right time this Spring.
Ruiz will now open the season as the starting third baseman and will have a chance to keep the job at a position the Braves continue to search for an answer at. Since the days of the Chris Johnson/Juan Francisco platoon the Braves have remained inconsistent at the position and hope Ruiz can buck that trend.
If he can find success early on the Braves are likely to allow him to keep the job. Ruiz is going to have to be able to prove he can make consistent contact and play above average defense.
It would take very little to win a position that the Braves are searching for an answer to. Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies, and Freddie Freeman will complete a youthful infield that promises to be entertaining.
Albies and Freeman should both be on their way to having great seasons while questions remain for Swanson and Ruiz. Swanson seems to be employing a new approach that will benefit him this season with better plate vision and more consistency.
The Braves will open the season on Thursday as Spring Training wraps up with a future stars game next week at SunTrust Park.