Atlanta Braves Need More Production From Josh Donaldson

Josh Donaldson has been a big disappointment for the Atlanta Braves so far this season. The third baseman has continued to struggle at the plate and failed to provide the power Atlanta expected from him.

When the Atlanta Braves signed Josh Donaldson they were expecting the third baseman to bounce back to form. Instead Josh has continued last year’s struggles hitting .236 and striking out 76 times so far this season.

Even in seasons past when Josh has hit for lower average he made up for it by hitting for power. This season he is on pace to hit 21-homers, hardly what the team was expecting from Donaldson.

The season is still early and there is still plenty of time for Donaldson to turn his season around. Even without Donaldson at his best the Atlanta offense has been impressive this season.

Helped by big seasons from Dansby Swanson and Freddie Freeman the Atlanta lineup has been lethal. Continually coming back and winning games they trailed the majority of.

For Donaldson, the biggest issue is his continual strikeouts. If he can find a way to put the ball in play more consistently he will be a much bigger asset to a stacked Atlanta lineup.

If Ender Inciarte is soon healthy and can return to form Atlanta could opt to platoon Inciarte and Donaldson playing Austin Riley and third or in left field dependent on whose bat they want in the lineup.

Despite the disappointing production so far Donaldson was well worth the gamble considering his pedigree and the fact he is only signed to a one year deal. There is still the chance Donaldson can bounce back and return to form down the stretch.

It seems more likely, however, that this is the player Josh is at this point in his career and the production teams should expect from him in the seasons to come.