THE BRAVES OUTFIELD: Center of attention

Lake Buena Vista, Fla. —- Once Ken Griffey Jr. was out of the picture for the Braves, team officials said they were in no rush to pursue another proven outfielder to fill the void in left field.

As a result, several young outfielders seem eager to seize the opportunity —- before team officials can change their minds and go after another free agent or make a trade.

Center field and half of a left-field platoon are open. Left-handed hitters Josh Anderson, Jordan Schafer and Gregor Blanco could be vying for both, with Brandon Jones a candidate for the possible platoon with Matt Diaz.

“I think we have a variety of guys that can add something to the equation, whether it’s speed, defense, pop, or all-around play,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said.

“Each of the guys who will be competing adds something a little different. … I think at the end of [spring training], it will be a decision about who adds the most in that role.”

When they heard last week that Griffey had signed with Seattle instead of the Braves, pulses of those young outfielders in Braves camp must have risen.

“There’s a lot of talent here, guys who can do what needs to be done,” Anderson said. “These young guys can do some things. We just need a chance, like some of these other guys [on the team] have had.”

Jones said: “It is real exciting. But I’m not going to try to think about it. Just go out and play.”

Center field

Schafer, 22, is the elite prospect among the bunch, and many think he could be the Braves’ next star center fielder. But Anderson, 26, has some apparent advantages over Schafer and Blanco in the center-field competition this spring.

Schafer hasn’t played above Class AA and served a 50-game suspension in 2008 for suspected use of human growth hormone. Anderson has major-league experience (.315 average in parts of two seasons with Houston and Atlanta) and speed unlike anyone else on the roster.

“To be honest with you, I expect to win a spot,” said Anderson, who hit .294 with three homers and 10 stolen bases in 40 games for the Braves in 2008. “That’s my goal. You have to think positive and set the bar high. I think I can make the team and help the team out.”

Schafer has minor-league options remaining, and Anderson does not. That means Anderson couldn’t be sent to the minors without going through waivers, where he likely would be claimed by another team.

Schafer, in his second big-league camp, has impressed teammates and coaches with his attitude and maturity. He worked as hard as anyone in camp last spring, but this time Schafer’s doing it without the cockiness that some saw in him a year ago.

He said last year’s experience helped him mature. If he is sent to Class AAA Gwinnett County to begin the season, Schafer would accept the assignment without any complaint.

“I want to come in here and try to prove to them I’m ready,” he said. “Obviously, I want to win that center-field job. But whatever they want me to do, I’ll do. If for some reason —- the business side of it —- I play well this spring and they want me to go down, then I’ll say, hopefully, I’ll see them soon.”

Last spring, Anderson was favored to win the fourth-outfielder job, but he wasn’t out of options. Blanco had a strong spring and got the job, and Anderson was sent to Class AAA.

Blanco played a lot after injuries to Mark Kotsay and Diaz. He hit .251 with a solid .366 on-base percentage, but Blanco had only one homer and 19 extra-base hits in 430 at-bats.

His .309 slugging percentage was third-lowest among National League outfielders with 500 or more plate appearances, and he had only 13 steals.

Schafer and Anderson are strong defensive center fielders, better than Blanco. Jones is good enough on defense to play left field, but he is not a center fielder.

Left-field platoon

For the left-field platoon with Diaz, Jones could be the favorite if he has a strong spring. He had a disappointing 2008 season, hitting .260 with eight homers and 52 RBIs in 95 games at Class AAA and .267 with one homer in 116 at-bats in the majors.

But no one has forgotten what Jones did in 2007, when he had 19 homers, 69 extra-base hits and 100 RBIs between Classes AA and AAA.

“Brandon is still highly thought of,” Braves manager Bobby Cox said.

“I did some lifting, tried to get stronger this offseason,” said Jones, who turned 25 in December and said it’s time to advance his career.

“No excuses [now]. Last year, I put pressure on myself. This year, I’m not thinking about anything. I’m just going to go out and play.”

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