The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Starting infield potentially can be elite
Freeman is a sure thing, but Donaldson, Albies, Swanson face questions.
The Braves were set in the infield until they weren’t. Johan Camargo was the everyday third baseman until he wasn’t. Josh Donaldson wasn’t an option until he was.
Not even a month after publicly endorsing his infield, Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos made his biggest bet of the offseason, signing Donaldson ahead of the market for $23 million and inserting him at third base.
It was a two-pronged decision. Aside from the theoretical benefit of Donaldson’s offense, it turned Camargo into the Braves’ renais- sance man. He’ll play whenever and wherever while Donaldson handles the daily grind at third.
The story of the infield, and perhaps the team’s season, will be how Donaldson rebounds from an injury-plagued 2018. There was a point last season when he couldn’t throw the ball from third to first. Even if he’s healthy now — and both he and the team insist that’s the case (he played well in a 16-game sample size with the Indians) — we’ve yet to see him over a longer course.
Donaldson and Anthopoulos took a dual gamble. The Braves will face immense criticism if Don-
aldson underwhelms. He was their high-priced acquisition this winter. Donaldson, meanwhile, needs to produce for another substantial payday, be that in Atlanta or elsewhere. He’ll be 34 in December, and we’re seeing how the market is treating older (or rather, all) free agents.
Aside from Donaldson, the Braves return last season’s infield. First baseman Freddie Freeman will be the offensive centerpiece as usual. Second baseman Ozzie Albies will be a potential highlight every at-bat, though he has to prove he’s more first half than second half of last year. Shortstop Dansby Swanson enters a do-or-die year offensively.
Albies scorched the earth in April and maintained enough production to earn All-Star honors in his first full season. He hit .281 with 20 homers, 55 RBIs and 74 runs in the first half. The second half left plenty on the table. Albies admitted fatigue played a role. His production dropped to .226 with four homers, 17 RBIs and 31 runs. Perhaps refreshed and prepared, Albies needs to show more of the former than latter.
Swanson will take it easy through spring training as he recovers from wrist surgery. Since an illustrious 38-game start in 2016, he’s hit .235/.308/.359. While his defense has become outstanding, the bat hasn’t shown growth. After hitting .287 in 26 games across April and May, he didn’t have another month above .253.
If Swanson’s struggles persist, perhaps the Braves will opt to play Camargo on a more regular basis. Shortstop is his natural position, and he could provide more punch if Swanson’s offense is lacking. But Swanson’s defense would still make him a valuable player.
Defense was a focal point for the 2018 Braves. Freeman finally got his gold glove. Albies’ speed is an asset at second. Camargo isn’t as consistent but can make a spectacular play. Swanson is the best of the crop.
The Braves boast one of MLB’s better infields. Defense and speed don’t slump — and Freeman rarely slumps. The infield’s upside depends on Albies’ consistency, Swanson’s offense and Donaldson evading injury and stalling Father Time.