Atlanta Braves Could Have 4th Outfielder Waiting In The Minors

Braves In Search Of Outfielder?

With the holiday’s just around the corner, pitchers and catchers reporting just under two months from today (February 14) and meaningful games under four months away (April 3), the Atlanta Braves have a lot of decisions to still make.  One of which is what to do with Mallex Smith.

Rumblings of what to do with Smith have been going on for a little while now.  Since the Braves didn’t make moves this offseason with any of their outfielders — they have Ender Inciarte, Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis slotted into all three spots — playing time in Atlanta will be tough to come by for Smith.

Some think Mallex should be with the big league club to come off the bench late in games or to fill in for the big three every once in a while.  Problem with that is Inciarte, Kemp and Markakis all play as much as possible and don’t like taking days off unless an injury happens.  The past three years Kemp has played in 150, 154 and 156 games.  Inciarte has played in 118, 132 and 131 games.  Markakis has played in 155, 156 and 158 games.

This leaves the Braves and Mallex Smith consistently on the bench with a lot of talent.  I think Mallex should start the 2017 season with Triple-A Gwinnett.  Let Mallex continue to develop with his base running, routes on balls, and bunting.  Remember he’s still only 23-years-old.

Yesterday during the #AskCoppy session, Braves General Manager, John Coppolella, tweeted about the Smith situation and what he sees heading into the 2017 season…to a degree.

Mallex To Gwinnett, Who’s In ATL?

So if Mallex goes back down to Triple-A, Braves will need a fourth outfielder.

Sean Rodriguez is definitely an option for the Braves in the outfield, but he’s also a good candidate for an infield spot.  The past two years he’s played many games at all three outfield spots.

Jace Peterson is an option if we’re in dire need.  In 2016, he played 15 games in left field and one game in center for the Braves.

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Chase d’Arnaud could play the outfield as well.  The 29-year-old played all three outfield spots at some point in 2016 with the Braves.  In 2014, he spent the majority of his time working in center and left.

All three of these players are on the Braves 40-man roster, but I would think are more of an emergency situation if they’re in the outfield.

Who Could Be Added?

An option outside the organization right now would be longtime Brave Kelly Johnson.  The 34-year-old (will be 35 in 2017) is still sitting out there looking for a job for the 2017 season.  He would definitely fill the need of a 4th outfielder.

Coppy and the entire Braves organization seem to be interested in him as well.  He’s always been a good club house guy and never complained about the PT he was getting at times.  He could be one more “leader” for this team.

One other name I’d like to throw out for a possibility to be the Braves 4th outfielder is Mel Rojas Jr.

Yes, this would take a few shifts in the organization…he’s currently not on the Braves 40-man roster and that roster is full.  Those could be possible moves though.

Rojas just continues to rake everywhere he goes since he joined the Braves orgnaization.  He’s currently playing for the Tigres Del Licey in the Dominican Winter League.  As of today, in 33 games he has a slash line of .297/.313/.461 with two home runs, seven doubles, four triples, two stolen bases and 17 RBIs.

The Braves traded for Rojas on May 9, 2016 from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash.  He was
drafted in the 3rd round of the 2010 draft out of Wabash Valley College in Illinois.  He worked his way up the Pirates organization fast and has played at the Triple-A level since 2014.  His time could be now.

Rojas is entering his 27-year-old season — the season that “exports” say is your best year and has put his time in at the highest minor league level.  The 6’2″ 225 pound outfield has a lot of potential as one scout said he has “five-tool potential”.

With Gwinnett in 2016, he had a slash line of .270/.349/.491 with 10 homers, 11 doubles, five triples and nine stolen bases.

Look, am I hyping Rojas up too much?  Possibly, since the Pirates were essentially done with him since he wasn’t performing within their organization.  Or, is this the first of many more to come of the prospects that Coppy sees potential in that just need a change of scenery?

Whether Rojas starts the season in Gwinnett or somehow works his way onto the Braves team, keep an eye on this guy.  Every time I got the chance to watch him play in 2016, I was impressed and he was the guy that stood out.