Out of Left Field

Jonny Gomes (7). Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Braves signed Jonny Gomes to play left field against left handed pitchers but injury to Kelly Johnson changed that. Forced to play more often against RHP his inability to hit righties is a serious problem. How do the Braves change things to get production out of left field?

 Wanted: A left fielder who can hit RHP

Gomes splits and particularly his history against  RHP is not a secret.

The problem is his 2015 numbers cover only 30 PA for lefties but 117 PA against righties. Facing RHP is not what the Braves planned or what he was hired to do.  The Braves have to find a platoon partner for Gomes because what’s going on just isn’t pretty and can’t continue but, where can we look.

Internal Options

Internally the Braves have Cedric Hunter in AAA and he’s having a good year – .276/.316/.407/.723 so it might be time to have a look at him. Hunter’s been around a while however and never made the jump to the majors  except for six PA as a Padres back in 2011. obviously the coaches aren’t impressed enough to promote him.

Dian Toscano is still in visa limbo so we don’t know when he’ll be available or how well he’ll do. Todd Cunningham is up but after an opening surge he’s tailed off quite a bit and while a good defender he lacks pop. In short the cupboard is bare. Help might well be found on the waiver wire however so let’s look.