In a time of need, Abraham Almonte has unexpectedly there for the Braves.
It’s no secret the Braves’ outfield situation is far from ideal. Opening-day center fielder Cristian Pache wasn’t ready to consistently face major-league pitching, so he’s back at Triple-A. Left fielder Marcell Ozuna is out of the picture after he was arrested and charged with aggravated assault against his wife last month.
The Braves, desperate in the outfield, turned to the unheralded Almonte, who was raking for Triple-A Gwinnett. Almonte, 31, signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Braves in October in a move that, naturally, flew under the radar.
All Almonte has done since is produce. He’s hitting .300/.463/.550 with seven doubles, a homer and five RBIs in 16 games. He’s manning left field on a regular basis. He’s even hit cleanup, as he did Friday against the Cardinals.
“He’s been unbelievable,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s a veteran guy. He’s had parts of a lot of major-league seasons. And just a solid person, a very professional, consistent person and player.”
Almonte entered Friday having doubled in three consecutive games. Seven of his 12 hits this season – 58 percent – have been doubles. Almonte has also walked in six consecutive games.
Since his May 31 debut, Almonte has 13 walks, tying Juan Soto for the second most in the majors over that span (and bested only by Christian Yelich’s 16). Overall, Almonte has reached base safely in 14 of his 16 games and 10 of his past 11 contests.
Not bad for a player who was considered only “organizational depth.” The Braves have gotten lucky with Almonte, undoubtedly, and they’ll need him to continue playing beyond expectations if they’re going to climb back near the top of the National League East.
“The bats have been just really, really good,” Snitker said. “I didn’t have any expectations. I didn’t remember him a lot. I knew the name, had seen him in different spots. But man, he’s just continued on and just the really the quality of at-bats. It’s been really, really good.”
