Andrelton Simmons Makes Another Marvelous Play For The Atlanta Braves
By Jeff Schafer
The human defensive highlight reel, Andrelton Simmons, was back at it again on Tuesday night. Simmons made a terrific play in the top of the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Josh Harrison hit a hard line drive between short and second which most thought for a brief time was a single up the middle. Well, they forgot Andrelton was guarding the middle infield for the Braves. Simmons broke to his left and made a diving catch to rob Harrison of a base hit.
The 25-year-old has been making these plays for the Braves for two and a half years now and already has a Gold Glove in 2013. He’s definitely in line for another Gold Glove Award in 2014.
Though Andrelton is having an off year at the plate, a slash line of .243/.284/.333, he’s still a guarantee in the Braves lineup because of his defensive skills. Hopefully he can find his swing again in the offseason and come back strong in 2014 as a more complete player.
| Year | Age | G | GS | CG | Inn | Ch | PO | A | E | DP | Fld% | Rtot | Rdrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 22 | 49 | 49 | 46 | 426.0 | 228 | 67 | 158 | 3 | 31 | .987 | 16 | 19 |
| 2013 | 23 | 156 | 150 | 146 | 1352.1 | 753 | 240 | 499 | 14 | 94 | .981 | 30 | 41 |
| 2014 | 24 | 142 | 140 | 135 | 1243.1 | 623 | 209 | 401 | 13 | 95 | .979 | 13 | 27 |
| 3 Seasons | 347 | 339 | 327 | 3021.2 | 1604 | 516 | 1058 | 30 | 220 | .981 | 59 | 87 | |
| 3 Seasons | 347 | 339 | 327 | 3021.2 | 1604 | 516 | 1058 | 30 | 220 | .981 | 59 | 87 |
A great defensive play like this usually gets the team going but for the Braves, the season is almost over. Atlanta has five more days in the 2014 season and two more home games before traveling to Philadelphia to finish the season. Alex Wood gave Simmons a huge cheer after he made the play…as most Braves pitchers have this season.