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Atlanta Braves select Rafael Ortega option Patrick Weigel

By Fred Owens

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 05: Third base coach Ron Washington #37 of the Atlanta Braves congratulates Freddie Freeman #5 on a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning of the interleague game on August 5, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. a(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 05: Third base coach Ron Washington #37 of the Atlanta Braves congratulates Freddie Freeman #5 on a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning of the interleague game on August 5, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. a(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Braves moved to add outfield depth this afternoon and swapped out a bullpen arm to make room.

Atlanta Braves outfield depth has been thin since Austin Riley went on the IL with a partial tear to his LCL. They’ve relied on Charlie Culberson to fill the void when needed, but Johan Camargo’s defensive play looks a lot like his offense, so Culberson’s been playing short.

Camargo’s been functional in the outfield, but aside from running into one now and then, hasn’t done much on offense, and playing both utility men every day doesn’t give Manager Brian Snitker much to work with.

Matt Joyce can play some outfield, but he’s the left-handed pinch-hitter.  Into that void steps Rafael Ortega. To make room for him, the Braves optioned Patrick Weigel to Gwinnett.

Who’s this new outfielder?

The Rockies signed the 5-11, 160-pound outfielder out of Venezuela, way back in 2008. After playing in the Dominican and Venezuelan leagues for parts of four years, he finally appeared in the South Atlantic League in 2011 and got a cup of coffee with the Rockies in 2012.

The Rangers selected him off waivers from the Rockies in November of 2013  and the Cardinals selected him off waivers from Texas the following January. He bounced around the Cards minor league system for two seasons before joining the Angels in 2016.

Ortega appeared in 66 games for the Halos in 2016 batting .232/.283/.292/.575, but the Angels non-tendered him after the season, and he signed for the Padres in 2017.  The Padres didn’t call him up in 2017 and non-tendered him after that season.

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He landed with the Marlins last year and appeared in 41 games batting .233/.287/.271/.557. Those numbers earned him another trip to free agency, and he signed for the Braves last November.

Ortega’s produced his best numbers so far, batting .285/.373/.524/.898 at Gwinntett.

He’s had similar-but-lower numbers in the past; much of his improved productions stems from the change to the Major League ball at AAA.

He looks like the typical AAAA player. His defense is sound, but he’s never been able to hit big-league pitching.

That’s a wrap

The Braves focused on pitching as the deadline approached and didn’t come close to signing any depth pieces. Jake wrote about the Atlanta Braves lack of infield depth earlier today; their outfield depth looks just as thin.

Teams are jettisoning players all the time, but none look like a big pickup for a team going to the postseason.  GM Alex Anthopoulos said he’s going to ride with what they have in the bullpen, and the same likely goes for outfield and shortstop.

Next. Who mans the 2020 hot corner?. dark

The Braves have to hope Dansby Swanson, and Riley get healthy and return to form, or it could be a short postseason.

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