Atlanta Braves newest acquisition, Jose Bautista, blasts home run in extended Spring Training game

Braves newest signee blasts homer in 2nd game with the organization

The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday — April 18th —  that they’ve signed 14-year veteran and six-time All-Star outfielder/infielder, Jose Bautista, to a one-year contract.  This will be just a minor league deal, but would receive $1 million if he’s added to the Braves 40-man roster.

Why the heck did he sign with the “rebuilding” Atlanta Braves?  Well, it sounds like GM Alex Anthopoulos had something to do with it.

Chris Cotillo, an MLB reporter/insider, tweeted out yesterday that Bautista turned down other offers to join the Braves.  Other, better offers I should say.  Including the very talented and AL Central favorites, the Cleveland Indians.

If you don’t recall, Anthopoulos was with the Toronto Blue Jays until 2015 when he went to the LA Dodgers for two-years prior to joining the Braves organization.

The 37-year-old has already been sent to the Braves Extended Spring Training facility in Florida.  He’s trying to work himself into game ready physic to possibly play third base for the Atlanta Braves.

Bautista hasn’t played regularly at third base in a while.  He played 48 games at the hot corner in 2010 and 25 games there in 2011.  Since then though, in six years, he’s only played 12 games at third — eight games there in 2017.

In 2017, he batted just .203 with 23 home runs and 65 RBIs.  He’s never hit for high average — except for 2011 and 2014 when he hit for .302 and .286 — He holds a .250 career batting average with 331 homers.

Is his big stick still alive or has his tank ran low?

Extended Spring Training stats are difficult to find, but since Bautista is there, folks will be talking.  Yesterday, he went 3-9 with a home run, a double and a single.  Here’s his blast…

Because it’s still strange to see Bautista in a Braves uniform, here are some photos and videos I found with him in Florida.

Next: The Tykes Minor League Spotlight

If Bautista can somehow find his way to the Atlanta Braves, he could definitely help out the middle of the lineup.  He could be Freddie Freeman’s protection we’ve all been asking for.

Think about a mid-season lineup that would look like this…

1. Ender Inciarte CF
2. Ozzie Albies 2B
3. Freddie Freeman 1B
4. Jose Bautista 3B
5. Ronald Acuna LF
6. Nick Markakis RF
7. Tyler Flowers C
8. Dansby Swanson SS
9. Pitcher