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Atlanta Braves prospect Cristian Pache the next big thing?

By Jeff Schafer

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 27: Baseballs sit in the well during the Champioinship Game of the Little League World Series between Japan and the Southwest Team from Texas at Lamade Stadium on August 27, 2017 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA - AUGUST 27: Baseballs sit in the well during the Champioinship Game of the Little League World Series between Japan and the Southwest Team from Texas at Lamade Stadium on August 27, 2017 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Braves outfielder, Pache, could be on his way to stardom

Becoming a superstar in the Major Leagues is obviously very difficult, but the Atlanta Braves have a bunch of young guys that have the talent to become such stars.  Many talk about the pitching within the organization, but this is all about our young outfielder you may or may not have heard of…Cristian Pache.

Don’t recognize the name?  You should remember this one.

The 6’2″ 185 pounder just turned 19-years-old on November 19th and is from Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic.  He was signed by the Braves on July 2, 2015 during the International signing period.

He was the number 21 ranked prospect in that International signing period.  He was 16-years-old at the time of the signing.

At the time of the signing, Baseball America said this about Pache…

"…drawing praise for his athleticism and potential to stick in center field. Those highest on Pache liked his righthanded bat despite some funkiness to his swing, with a strong showing at MLB’s international showcase in February helping his stock."

Pache has spent two seasons within the Braves organization now.  He spent 2016 with the GULF Braves and the Danville Braves.  In 2017, he played the entire season with the Rome Braves.  He held a slash line of .281/.335/.343 with 13 doubles, eight triples, 60 runs scored and most impressively 32 stolen bases.

The young outfielder played 116 games in center field for Rome and two in right field.

More from Braves News

MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo put out their most recent list yesterday of Top Prospects set to break out in 2018.  Pache was one of six hitters on this list!

In the article, Mayo mentioned Ronald Acuna and that Pache could force the Braves to move Acuna to a corner spot so Pache can play center field in Atlanta.  Right now, Acuna is slotted into a Braves corner outfield spot, but anything can happen within the next month or so.

Since we referenced Acuna, remember his path to where he is at right now.  He signed with the Braves in July of 2014 during the International signing period.  He played with the GULF Braves and the Danville Braves during his first year in 2015 and then Rome in 2016.  In 2017, he exploded onto the scene and moved from High Single-A to Triple-A.

Could Pache take the same path in 2018?

Take a look at Pache’s swing…a little strange, but he’s still developing.  If he hits for contact, I’m okay with this.

The Braves signed Ender Inciarte to a five-year deal worth $30.53M last season.  He’s signed until 2021 and has a 2022 team option.  Very team friendly deal.  Right now, he’s the Braves center fielder, but like anything else, things can change.  Personally, I love Ender, but I’m not in charge.

Next: How about a contract extension... for Freeman?

Pache has the speed and the defense to be a star in the MLB, if his bat can continue to stick around, he’ll be wearing an Atlanta Braves uniform shortly.  Possibly Opening Day or early in 2019.

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