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Atlanta Braves Activate Inciarte; Option Garcia

By Alan Carpenter

Mar 24, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ender Inciarte (11) bunts toward third base during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ender Inciarte (11) bunts toward third base during the third inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Braves Send Adonis Garcia to AAA as his bat has gone cold; moves sets up Smith/Inciarte/Markakis outfield

Suddenly the Braves will begin featuring two outfielders with Gold Gloves and a third one who probably has more range (certainly speed) than either of the others.

The equally important bit, though, is this:  the Braves’ offense just improved as well.

Ender Inciarte has completed his rehab stint with Gwinnett, and if there’s any doubt about whether his hamstring issue is behind him, then look no further than a long running catch in center field during his first AAA game 2 days ago.

Superficially speaking, Adonis Garcia hasn’t exactly been slumping at the plate (.260), but his presumed value to the Braves was as a run-producer.  Yet the power he displayed in 2015 is suddenly gone:  just 1 homer and 2 doubles now in 113 plate appearances.  He pounded 10 dingers with 12 doubles in 198 PA’s a year ago with nearly the same average (.277).

In addition, Garcia has only managed 8 RBI for the year with a .200 average with runners in scoring position (vs. .288 with nobody on).

When you combine that with his fielding issues (7 errors – no one else on the team has more than 2 except Freeman), then it became a matter of just trying to figure out whether he had any value to the club.  After an attempt to hide him out in left field didn’t really work last night, the Braves finally cut the lifeline and optioned him back to AAA.  He will reportedly work on left field skills there, but frankly, unless he’s really hitting… there’s a fair chance that Garcia might not be back.

Continued Movement

The Braves continue to make incremental roster moves – desperate to find consistent offense and pitching.  These will probably continue into the Summer.  Rio Ruiz is close, and continuing to hit well at Gwinnett.  Casey Kelly and Tyrell Jenkins are both pitching very well (ERA under 2.00).

Emilio Bonifacio (.293, 10 steals, caught thrice) is finally eligible to be called up today, but so far there is no word on whether that is happening.  It would not surprise me to see Matt Tuiasosopo returned to AAA.

Lining It Up

How will this new outfield line up?  That’s a good question, because there are perhaps 3 possible answers:

  • LF Smith / CF Inciarte / RF Markakis (most likely)
  • LF Markakis / CF Smith / RF Inciarte
  • LF Inciarte / CF Smith / RF Markakis

However you slice it, though:  this will undoubtedly be the best defensive group we’ve seen out there this year.  Adding Inciarte to the batting order also makes for an interesting lineup question:  he will likely leadoff, pushing Markakis to second while Smith remains in the 9-hole.

Next: The Morning Chop

But for today – the EnderMan is back.

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