There must be something in the water the Braves front office is drinking because they are handing out promotions like candy on the farm. We’ve seen a few of them in Atlanta recently. Spencer Schwellenbach made his MLB debut a couple of weeks ago, and Hurston Waldrep just made his this past Sunday.
Yesterday, the promotions continues, as Drake Baldwin is headed to Gwinnett, and it appears he isn’t alone. As first reported by Chase Ford of MiLB Central, the top position prospect in the Braves organization, Nacho Alvarez, is also headed to Gwinnett.
Perhaps most importantly, Alvarez showed the ability to handle the shortstop position defensively. From an offensive perspective, what stands out the most is his advanced contact bat and ability to get on base. For High-A Rome last season, he reached base at a near .400 clip, and he’s around the same mark this season in Mississippi. The hope is that he grows into some more power with time, but after hitting seven homers and 24 doubles a year ago, he has no homers and just six doubles through 48 games this season.
Orlando Arcia has experienced a career resurgence since the Braves acquired him a few years ago, culminating last year as he was named the starting shortstop for the National League All-Star team. However, he came back down the earth in the second half of the season, and those struggles have continued this year. Arcia is unbelievable defensively, but he’s been a below average bat his entire career.
With the Braves offense struggling, they have to be looking for help anywhere they can find it. Acquiring a shortstop to replace Orlando Arcia ahead of the trade deadline may be impossible, but they might seriously consider giving Nacho Alvarez a shot later in the season if he handles this promotion well and Arcia continues to be an automatic out.
