Atlanta Braves Should Wait To Call Up Hector Olivera

Rumors have been flying around social media and the internet that the Atlanta Braves are planning on calling up 30-year-old prospect Hector Olivera on Monday to start the home series against the Colorado Rockies.  Olivera is currently playing for the Braves Triple-A affiliate, Gwinnett Braves and is 3-12 at the plate in the three games he’s played in.

The Braves front office have yet to say anything publicly about a call up date and Olivera’s current manager, Brian Snitker, knows nothing about a call up.  “As far as I know, there isn’t a set timetable to get him up to Atlanta. Unless I find out otherwise, I expect him to be going to Charlotte with us.”

Gwinnett is currently on the edge of a playoff birth as they are seven games back from the South divisional lead and 2.5 games back from the Wild Card spot.

Braves beat writer, Mark Bowman, said yesterday that the Braves are still discussing when to activate him and Monday could be a possibility, but later in the week might be more likely.

Personally, I don’t think Olivera should be called up to the big leagues just yet.  I realize many fans want to see what this guy can do, but we should wait.

Here’s a couple points to back my opinion

• He’s still learning the 3rd base position.  He was mainly a second baseman in Cuba and is still getting accustom to the throw across the field
• Gwinnett Braves are actually in a playoff hunt…why not let him try to push the organization into some success in 2015
• Olivera was 1-17 in his five rehab games before joining Gwinnett and is 3-12 there.  More at-bats would benefit him.
• He just returned to the ball field a little over a week ago from a hamstring injury.
• No rush to get to Atlanta except for him to play with his new teammates and get some MLB AB’s.

Olivera recently talk to Grant McAuley of CBS Atlanta about playing the third base…“Every day is a learning process, but I feel a heck of a lot better.  I think the more time I get there, the more confident I will get, but right now I’m building that confidence.  I think I’ll be more than adequate at the position.”

It’s just my opinion, but I think Olivera needs more time in Gwinnett…also I have tickets for the Charlotte vs Gwinnett game on Tuesday that I would love to see Olivera play in 🙂