Who Will Win the Braves Centerfield Competition?

The Braves have recently announced that Melvin Upton, formerly known as B.J. Upton, will miss at least the first two months of this season with inflammation in his left foot. As a consistently poor performer atop the Braves lineup the past two seasons, the Braves have to be somewhat excited by the potential to uncover a new diamond in the rough.

Instead of taking a chance on a late-offseason free agent, MLBTradeRumors reports that Atlanta is content letting in-house options Eric Young Jr., Zoilo Almonte, Eury Perez, and Todd Cunningham compete for the temporary centerfield job in Spring Training.

With more than $46 million left of his current deal, the Braves can’t exactly get rid of Upton or take a mulligan on their investment. But given his immerse struggles (75 OPS+ in ’14), a long term starting job may also be in play if one of these four players can hit the ground running this season.

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So, without further adieu, let’s take a long look at each of these four options, considering our players present and and project future values, what they can contribute to a major league team, ultimately trying to determine which player fits best in Atlanta’s overall organizational plan.

It may not be the most thrilling list of names, but a good mix of top prospects, fringe-major leaguers, and veteran make up this list. The close nature of this race makes it one of the more intriguing competitions to follow as Spring Training progresses.

Next: Braves Center Field Options

Eric Young Jr.

A six year veteran of two major league teams, the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets, Eric Young Jr. is the most experienced ballplayer on this list. He’s only 29 and right amidst the prime years of his career, but there is little we don’t know about Young Jr. after more than 1400 big league at-bats. He provides elite speed, an occasional base knock, and not much else.

An average defender at best, Young’s speed allows him to make stellar plays on balls in front of him, but he often misjudges long drives over his head. His weak arm limits him to the two corner outfield positions, but he has made a few appearances in center over the last two seasons.

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Given his speed and ability to ignite a lineup, Young is not a terrible short-term option. However, as the Braves look to develop players with an eye towards the future, I don’t think the switch hitter factors much into the team’s 2015 plans.

Also, Young’s defensive profile does not give the Braves much confidence in running him out in centerfield on a daily basis.

As the only of the aforementioned outfielders not on the 40-man roster, Young is a safe bet to start the season down with Triple-A Gwinnett, unless he is claimed by another team after his likely release. However, if the Braves value his speed and versatility (he can serviceably play five positions), Young could earn a bench job with a strong Spring.

Next: Zoilo Almonte

Zoilo Almonte

Perhaps the most intriguing player on this list, Zoilo Almonte has failed to shake the Quad-A label from his name after two straight poor performances in the major leagues. And entering his age-25 season and his baseball prime, this may be Almonte’s last opportunity to prove he has the ability to hold down a major league starting role.

The Dominican outfielder sports a fairly impressive minor league track record despite his major league woes. Over nine minor league seasons, he’s slashed a career .268/.330/.433 line, and has slugged at least 18 home runs each of his last two full seasons.

Furthermore, Almonte is an asset defensively. He has good range, a solid arm, and sufficient experience in centerfield. Last year with Triple-A Scranton, he committed just one error in 38 games at the position.

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If he can’t hit his way into the starting lineup right out of camp, Almonte would be a decent fourth-outfielder for the team to keep around. He can comfortably field all outfield positions, has nice power, and can swipe a base every once in a while.

However, given his lack of major league experience and relative youth, the Braves will likely send Almonte down to Triple-A Gwinnett so that he can get consistent at-bats and continue his development.

Aliment definitely still has some time to develop into a legitimate major league contributor, I just don’t see the Braves handing the recent signee the reigns at the outset of this season.

Next: Eury Perez

Eury Perez

As both great minor league hitters with poor major league results, Eury Perez and Zoilo Almonte have a lot in common as young ballplayers. And while Perez certainly does not have the power profile of Almonte, his combination of speed, hitting ability, and youth make him an attractive commodity for a young Braves team.

Over the course of a full season, Perez has the ability to swipe 40 bags and bat above .280 — a feat he’s accomplished twice in his pro career. Further adding to the youngster’s resume, Baseball America ranked him among the National’s top 30 prospects in each of the last five offseasons, and some scouts have graded his speed tool a rare 80 on the 20-80 scale.

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Perez has excellent range in centerfield, and his grade-55 am allows him to easily be a plus defender. Offensively, he has a quick, short swing, evidenced by a career .305 batting average in the minors, but a career 4% walk rate may limit his ability as a long-term starter.

If he can’t improve his plate discipline to a respectable mark, Perez will have to settle for a career as a fourth-outfielder.

Still, of all the options listed so far, he offers the best blend of current ability and potential room for growth. His bat is certainly a question mark, but he will bring superb defense on a nightly basis and would fit in well at the bottom of the Braves’ lineup.

Perez may not be Atlanta’s long-term answer at centerfield, but he certainly will get a significant look this Spring.

Next: Todd Cunningham

Todd Cunningham

The only player on this list who was a member of the Braves’ organization before this season, Todd Cunningham offers a balanced skill set accompanied by a solid minor league career. His swing, as described by Baseball America, is “smooth and compact from both sides of the plate”. And while the switch hitter does not posses elite power, he consistently makes hard contact. The 25 year old generated 40 extra base hits and a .119 isolated power in Triple-A last season.

Cunningham has above-average speed, which has resulted in three straight seasons of at least 19 steals, and he uses that speed to play an above-average left or centerfield. His arm strength will limit him from spending a lot of time in right, but the Braves’ recent addition of Nick Markakis all but eliminates that problem.

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As a major league centerfielder, Cunningham would likely be just fine, if not better than average. His speed and baseball prowess make up for his relatively poor arm, and Atlanta certainly is trying to develop him in center. In 2014, he played all of his 119 games in Triple-A at the position, and he showed little need for a position change with a .991 fielding percentage.

To me (and Baseball America), Cunningham’s tools seem to suggest a future as a fourth-outfielder. However, the Braves invested a second round pick in the young Alabaman back in the 2010 drafts which may just be enough to give him the edge he needs in this tight competition.

Next: The Verdict is In

Prediction

The common theme among these players is their apparent fit as present and future fourth outfielders. All four players are decent hitters with maybe one really good tool, but no one has had proven success against major league pitching, or completely dominated the minor leagues

I think Cunningham’s relationship with the Braves and balanced package will earn him the Opening Day nod alongside Johnny Gomes and Markakis. However, I also believe that Eury Perez will nab one of the final roster spots as a late-game pinch runner and defensive replacement.

Eric Young Jr. does not have a spot on the 40-man, is the oldest of the group, and has struggled the past few seasons. If he remains in the Braves’ system following a potential release, he will still likely see big league action some time during the season. But, in order for him to don a Braves uniform, the younger guys first have to show that they are not yet ready for the bright lights of the show.

Almonte will also make the trip to Turner Field sometime during the year, but the lack of an elite tool and his novelty to the Braves organization makes him an easier cut candidate. At just 25 years old, however, the Braves may treat him as a prospect rather than minor league fodder. If Almonte rakes down in Triple-A, he may just force himself into a starting role.

There is little separation between these players, so expect Spring Training performance to play a very significant role in the ultimate verdict. Just like the Yankees second base battle, the young guys have an opportunity to grab hold of a coveted starting major league spot if they can prove they are ready.

Here’s to hoping it’s a phenomenal competition down in Lake Buena, Florida. We’ll see how it plays out this Spring.

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