Looking to fill a hole in their outfield, the Atlanta Braves have taken interest in one of the top outfielders left on the market.
The Atlanta Braves are reportedly interested in acquiring outfielder A.J. Pollock from the Diamondbacks, per Buster Olney
Pollock jumped out to a blazing-hot start last season, winning NL Player of the Month for April with a .291 BA, 9 HRs, 24 RBIs, an eye-popping 1.021 OPS, and 6 SBs, for good measure.
As Brad Berreman wrote in November, Pollock is seeking a deal similar to that of Lorenzo Cain‘s.
Yet the story of the 31-year-old Pollock’s career has been one of unfulfilled promise due to a string of injuries. After his first full season in 2013, he broke his right hand on a HBP from Johnny Cueto and missed significant time.
In 2016, he appeared in only 12 games after breaking his right elbow in spring training on a slight at home plate. Last year’s injury occurred when he broke his left hand on a diving effort at a line drive in centerfield.
In fact, Baseball Reference projects Pollock to see 477 plate appearances in 2019. Still, these projections also envision 17 HRs, 57 RBIs, and 15 SB, too.
Even last year, despite breaking his hand and missing significant time, Pollock logged 21 HRs and 65 RBIs and 13 SBs through 113 games.
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The Braves have already added
Josh Donaldsonand
Brian McCann(again) this offseason, and will likely not be re-signing 35-year-old
Nick Markakis. An outfield consisting of
Ronald Acuna/Pollock/
Ender Inciartewould be a stout one.
So too would a lineup looking like:
1. Acuna LF
2. Pollock CF
3. Freeman 1B
4. Donaldson 3B
5. Albies 2B
6. Inciarte RF
7. Flowers/McCann C
8. Swanson SS
Should the Atlanta Braves let Markakis go as anticipated, they will need to account for his production. Markakis made his first All-Star game in his age-35 season, as he posted 14 HRs, 93 RBIs, and a .297 BA.
While there is always the risk of injury for AJ Pollock, Pollock is no doubt eager to once again show the world that he is a top-level baseball talent. Here’s hoping he stays healthy.