After strong first half in 2013, Schafer aims for consistency, durability
He has a bone spur on top of his right ankle. The left one was fractured with a foul ball last summer. So now Jordan Schafer gets both ankles taped tightly before every workout or game. Someone mentioned that when he gets old, those aches will probably hurt more.
“I know. I’m getting there now,” he said, smiling.
He exaggerates. Schafer is 27, and still the fastest player on the Braves roster with the possible exception of B.J. Upton. But at a time when most multi-tool players are in their prime, Schafer is a fourth outfielder still hoping for another chance to prove he can be a productive lineup regular.
“Obviously the ideal is just to be consistent throughout the whole year,” said Schafer, the Braves’ 2009 opening-day center fielder as a rookie, before a broken wrist cost him most of two seasons. He was traded to Houston in July 2011.
“Like I’ve said from the beginning, I want to get to a spot where I play every day again. I’m not satisfied being a fourth outfielder,” he said. “I want to play every day. I have a lot to prove just in spring training, to come in and start out from Day 1 and prove I can play every day.”
The Braves have an outfield of B.J. Upton flanked by former All-Stars Justin Upton and Jason Heyward. Last year in Schafer’s first season back with the Braves — he was claimed off waivers from Houston — he got plenty of starts due to Heyward’s two disabled-list stints and B.J. Upton’s career-worst performance and adductor strain.
“He was a nice piece on our team,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said of Schafer, who hit .247 with a .331 on-base percentage and a team-high 22 stolen bases in 94 games. “Before he broke his (ankle), he was having a pretty good year. After that, he was never the same. But he’s a guy who’s a perfect fourth outfielder if everything is going right.”
The Braves entered last season with veteran backup outfielder Reed Johnson, but he was banged up much of the season and started only 19 games while Schafer made 51 starts, including 23 in center and 20 in right.
“He was a big part of how we stayed afloat last year,” Heyward said, noting Schafer’s versatility. “It’s outstanding. Because his defense doesn’t ever (drop off) when he has to move around. And to be able to go into the offensive lineup and be a tough out, put the ball in play, get on the bases and create havoc for defenses and pitchers, is a great quality to have.”
Schafer was playing his best baseball before the June 26 injury in Kansas City. After hiting .317 with nine extra-base hits, a .406 OBP and .475 slugging percentage in 58 games (120 at-bats) to that point, he hit .171 with three extra-base hits, a .246 OBP and .207 slugging in 36 games (111 at-bats) the rest of the way. He was on the disabled list for five weeks.
“When he came back, he hit careful,” hitting coach Greg Walker said. “We tried to get Schafe to get his body in a strong position earlier, a more aggressive position. The kid’s got a good swing and he’s talented. We just need to get him a little swagger and get him a little more in attack mode.”
Schafer was beginning to thrive using that approach before the injury.
“After I got hurt, man, I lost that feeling of what I was trying to do,” he said.
Schafer spent much of the winter working out with Tom Shaw, a speed and strength coach known for training numerous NFL draft picks out of his base at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports. He added 15 pounds, up to 210, and Schafer said he matched his personal-best 4.3-second time in the 40-yard-dash that he ran a year ago at 195 pounds.
“First thing, I’ve got to stay on the field, stay healthy,” he said. “Like I said, I’m not satisfied where I am, at all. Obviously I’m happy to be here, but I still have a lot to prove to myself and everybody else.”
