Braves Activate Terdoslavich, DFA Eric Young Jr.

The Braves announced today that they have activated OF/1B Joey Terdoslavich from the disabled list.  In a corresponding move, OF Eric Young Jr. has been designated for assignment.

Eric Young Jr’s time with the Braves was perhaps lengthier than imagined.  If Kelly Johnson doesn’t go on the disabled list last month, he would likely already be playing in AAA for another team.  And maybe he might stay with the Braves and accept an assignment to Gwinnett, but his time with the big league club was nothing short of awful.

He compiled a .169/.229/.273 slash line in 85 plate appearances.  Hitting has always been a problem for EYJ, but his solid defensive work in left field and good foot speed made him an understandable gamble.  But in typical Fredi Gonzalez fashion, he appointed EYJ the starting centerfielder out of spring training, where he was characteristically a poor defender.  His speed rarely factored in as well, as he stole just 3 bases.  Overall, it was a -0.6 WAR performance from EYJ.

Terdoslavich is a name you should have heard before:  Joey had stints with the big league club in 2013 and 2014, although they were pretty much in a reserve/pinch hitter role.  In 2011, he hit .286/.341/.526 with 20 homers for Class-A affiliate Lynchburg.  Because of this strong offensive performance, the Braves attempted to move him to 3B in 2012 as an eventual successor to Chipper Jones.  It didn’t work out so hot at 3B for Joey, as he made 25 errors in 147 chances, and fell to .262/.325/.394. as he struggled in his callup to AAA Gwinnett from Mississippi.

By the time Terdoslavich fully broke out in AAA, the Braves were employing a corner OF tandem for the ages in Jason Heyward and Justin Upton, plus had Freddie Freeman at 1B.  With no place to get consistent at bats, Joey spent much of the past two years in AAA.  I liked him to make the big league club out of spring this season, before an amazing unassisted double play in spring training sent him to the disabled list.  Joey still has some youth and upside in his bat, so I really hope he contributes in a big way throughout the rest of 2015 for Atlanta.