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Atlanta Braves free agent profile: Marwin Gonzalez

By Benjamin Chase

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 08: Marwin Gonzalez #9 of the Houston Astros reacts after lining out in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians during Game Three of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 08: Marwin Gonzalez #9 of the Houston Astros reacts after lining out in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians during Game Three of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 18: Marwin Gonzalez #9 of the Houston Astros hits a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox during Game Five of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on October 18, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

The Atlanta Braves are looking for an outfielder, but they are also valuing flexibility. Could the ultimate in flexible players on the market this year be a fit for the Braves?

The Atlanta Braves have been emphasizing flexibility in their roster building this year. Could Marwin Gonzalez be a fit for the outfield as well as be a piece of that roster flexibility?

Player Profile

Originally signed out of Venezuela by the Chicago Cubs in 2005, Gonzalez had a slow build up the Cubs system. He finally had a breakthrough with the bat in 2011 at 22 in AA and AAA, hitting .288/.343/.400 with 30 doubles.

He was then drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2011 Rule 5 draft before the Astros traded a minor league prospect to the Red Sox to get Gonzalez. Gonzalez had to stay with the Astros as part of his Rule 5 requirements in 2012. He hit .227/.266/.323 his first two seasons with the Astros, totaling just 152 games.

He broke through in 2014, working as a utility guy, playing 103 games, but only tallying 310 plate appearances, with a .277/.327/.400 line with 15 doubles, a triple, 6 home runs, and 2 steals, posting a 17/58 BB/K ratio. He spent most of his time at shortstop.

In 2015, Gonzalez once again worked as a utility guy off the bench, playing 120 games, but only picking up 370 plate appearances. He posted a .279/.317/.442 line with 18 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs, and 4 steals, posting a 16/74 BB/K ratio.

Then, as the Astros began to find their footing to compete, Gonzalez took on a more prominent role with the team.

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