Ozzie Albies continues to perform well in Spring Training for the Atlanta Braves, but will he make an impact at the MLB level in 2016?
Atlanta Braves shortstop Ozhaino Albies looked like a long-shot to crack the Opening Day roster; however, with the way he has performed in Spring Training, he might be able to make an impact at the MLB level at some point in 2016. Ozzie Albies is on record stating that he wanted to make his MLB debut as a teenager, and he has done everything in Spring Training to make people believe that is a real possibility.
Next: Grading on the Curve: Grading Each MLB Team's Top Prospect
Ever since the Atlanta Braves signed Ozzie Albies as an international free agent, all he has done is hit, and Alibes is no slouch in the field, either. This Spring Training, Ozzie Albies has dominated on both sides of the baseball, and the Atlanta Braves even shifted Dansby Swanson over to second base in the process. Despite being only 19 years old, Ozzie Albies is way ahead of his years both offensively and defensively, and he is drawing comparisons to Rafael Furcal along the way.
In 2016, Ozzie Albies enters his third professional season, and although he has never hit above Single-A, he is tearing up pitchers left and right at Spring Training this season. In 11 games (24 at-bats), Ozzie Albies has eight hits, including one home run and four RBI. Moreover, he boasts an impressive .333/.385/.458 slash line. Most of the Atlanta Braves’ coaching staff raves about what Ozzie Albies brings to the table, and he has even caught the attention of skipper Fredi Gonzlaez.
"“He’s the talk of the coaching staff after we come in after watching them play. The guys talk about the maturity, the talent, and the ability. He’s pretty good. Then, we get Bobby Cox in the room and we say, ‘hey, Skip, you took a 19-year-old with you, didn’t you?'”"
The Atlanta Braves coaching staff alluded to the time Bobby Cox brought up a teenage Andruw Jones back in the 90s, but Ozzie Albies may be ready to make the jump to the MLB. Ozzie Albies offers an above-average glove mixed with impressive plate and baserunning skills, making him an intriguing option as a utility player for the Atlanta Braves in 2016.
Ozzie Albies would offer more value than Jace Peterson; however, the Atlanta Braves would likely stay away from giving him an everyday role from the get-go. The Atlanta Braves have Erick Aybar under contract for the 2016 season, but he is slated to become a free agent at year’s end, which might give the team incentive to try and ship Aybar out before the 2016 MLB trade deadline. If the Atlanta Braves were to trade Aybar, Ozzie Albies looks like a frontrunner for promotion.
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Ozzie Albies figures to be one of the best two-way shortstops coming up through the minor league system, and he may force Swanson over to second base full-time. While there were plenty other young, impressive rookies to watch at Spring Training, Ozzie Albies took the field by storm, and he might be the best prospect the Atlanta Braves have. As a career .328 hitter in the minor leagues, Ozzie Albies should not have a problem transitioning to the top level, especially with a contact-heavy approach.
Albies should start the 2016 season at the Double-A level, but it is not unprecedented for a prospect to make the jump from Double-A to the MLB. The Atlanta Braves probably want to see Albies hit for average at a level higher than Single-A, but do not be surprised to see him reach the Atlanta Braves by season’s end. Ozzie Albies possesses immense potential, and he projects to be a four tool player, just lacking a plus-power tool.
Ozzie Albies is certainly a long shot to make the Atlanta Braves out of Spring Training, but his impressive spring might bode well for a mid-season call-up in 2016. The Atlanta Braves, most likely, will not be competitive in 2016, so Braves fans should get to see a healthy dose of prospects this upcoming season. Ozzie Albies figures to be a fan favorite, and he still has a chance to make his wish come true – playing for the Atlanta Braves as a teenager.
Next: Grading on the Curve: Grading Each MLB Team's Top Prospect
In the upcoming days, the Atlanta Braves should assign Ozzie Albies to minor league camp, but he certainly made his name known around Braves Country. The Atlanta Braves are close to making some strides in the National League East, and Ozzie Albies should be at the head of a new wave of talent to come through Atlanta. For now, be patient Braves fans.