Atlanta Braves bolster outfield depth acquire Scott Schebler
By Fred Owens
The Atlanta Braves continued to beef up their outfield and bench depth today, acquiring Scott Schebler.
According to MLBTR’s Tim Dirkes (Twitter link), the Atlanta Braves acquired left-hand hitting outfielder around noon today. The Reds designated him for assignment due to a glut of outfielders five days ago and Atlanta has acquired him for versatile journeyman ‘Cash Considerations’.
The Dodgers plucked Scott Schebler out of the pack in the 26th round of the 2010 draft. He showed consistent power as he moved through their system, hitting 27 homers in A+ ball in 2013, and 28 in AA during 2014. 525
He struggled after moving to AAA in 2015, batting just .241/.372/.417/.771 with 16 homers in 525 PA, but continued to hit righties well, batting .244/.341/.458/.799 and hitting 14 homers against them.
The Dodgers gave him only one game and three PA in June but called him back in September when he posted a .233/.324/.533/.857 line and hit three homers in 34 PA.
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The Dodgers traded Schebler to the Reds in December as part of the three-team deal that really wasn’t much more than giving players a change of scenery. Schebler played all over the outfield in 82 games for the Reds in 2016 and had his career year in 2017 when he batted .233/.307/ .484/.791 while hitting 30 homers in 531 PA over 141 games.
What the Atlanta Braves can expect
When healthy, Schebler profiles much like Adam Duvall, a platoon bat providing some left-handed power off the bench.
While Duvall played mostly left field and showed Gold Glove-caliber defense, Schebler primarily played right field for the Reds. However, he also has 1100+ minor league and 551 Major League innings in center. He grades out as at least league average in right and center but looks better than that in right.
That’s a wrap
Yesterday’s news about Juan Soto, followed by this morning’s loss of two catchers, highlights the need for Major-League-ready depth, and Schebler provides it. He also gives the Atlanta Braves another lefty bat with power, something the Braves were short of behind Matt Adams.
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Like Adams, Schebler was tested regularly with the Reds and can move quickly into the 60-man pool. The 60-game sprint ahead makes depth and defense more important than ever; Schebler becomes another valuable part of that depth.