Braves 2021 Backfields Preview: Third Base
Backfields Preview is a positional breakdown of the Atlanta Braves system entering the 2021 season. Previous installments: Catchers, first base and middle infield.
The Braves may find themselves in a pickle if Austin Riley doesn’t adjust to the major league level. There is no immediate answer behind him in the system, which would force the Braves to look outside the organization to fill the hole if Riley doesn’t flip a switch by the end of this season.
Riley has made adjustments at every level of his pro career, and he showed signs of adjusting to velo at the highest level last year by making more contact on fastballs, albeit at the expense of power. He has to find that sweet spot of making more contact against heat but also impacting the ball on a more consistent basis. He has yet to do that, and the early 2021 results aren’t any better. We’ll see if things change as the season progresses, but a title contender like the Braves can’t afford to wait forever. Riley’s backup plan may be platoon or bench work.
Behind Riley is a 24-year-old potential bench or depth guy, a current shortstop who could fill the role in a pinch like Johan Camargo did in 2018, and a current 19-year-old, A-ball shortstop who may move to third as he fills out. Oh, and Camargo. As fun as it is to watch Pablo Sandoval hit tank shots off the bench, or to see Ehire Adrianza on a hot streak, the Braves are surely begging for Riley to find something at the big league level.
Graded:
C.J. Alexander – 40
Alexander is 24 years old and still hasn’t played a full season of pro ball. He’s had tough-luck injuries and losing the 2020 season hurt tremendously. If he wants to gain a footing and maintain his stock as a potential bench piece, he has to perform at a high level and stay on the field in 2021.
Alexander had a strong showing in spring training by displaying a more aggressive and quicker bat. The stroke has always been on the long side despite the prototypical sweet, fluid left-handed motion. The spring swing was the quickest I’ve seen, a sign of being fresh and stronger, and he impacted the ball to all fields, which is something I hadn’t seen from him. He’s not going to be an average hitter, but if he makes enough impact contact he could tap into his above-average raw; doing that would put him on a path to bench work where he pinch hits against right-handers. He can also play a reliable third base in a pinch and has a plus arm, and he has experience at first base.
The clock is ticking, though, and the window is extremely small. He has to hit his way into the picture and knock on the door at Triple-A Gwinnett very soon. Otherwise, he’s not far from becoming upper-level depth or getting a chance elsewhere as a possible second-division guy.
System Depth:
Darling Florentino – I keep mentioning Florentino despite no on-field success. He hasn’t had a chance to bounce back from being grossly rushed to Rome in 2019. Despite being overmatched, he displayed twitchiness and real power potential from a super quick bat. The glove is just as raw as the eye. Florentino has a long way to go to get out of the lower levels, but the bat speed and natural strength stand out. He needs to gain a footing at the spring complex before another attempt at Low-A.
Others to Note:
Braden Shewmake has the versatility to play around the infield and could play third in a pinch if the bat comes along. Vaughn Grissom may fill out enough to force a move to third, where he would profile as an athletic slugger. Ambioris Tavarez is a current shortstop like the other two and may move to third, but we need to see him stateside. Beau Philip could end up playing around the infield in the upper levels. None is a primary third baseman and I’m not including them in positional details below.
Positional Details:
40-Man: None
Non-Roster Invitees: Alexander
2021 ETA: None
Top Tool: Alexander’s 60 arm
Spring training was a pleasant reminder that Alexander has an easy cannon over there.
Breakout Candidate: None
I can’t see Alexander performing so well that it would be considered a breakout, but he could have a good season if the stroke is real and he stays healthy.
2020 Top Transactions: None
2020 Top Performance: None