DUNEDIN, Fla.—There's at least one aspect of the Braves' play during Grapefruit League that doesn't come with the caveat that the games don't count: They've been strong defensively up the middle with second baseman Jace Peterson, shortstop Andrelton Simmons and centerfielder Eric Young Jr.
“’E.Y.’ has been making good plays all spring,” Simmons said. “Jace is spectacular at second, also. It’s been looking pretty good.”
One of those three players usually can be seen making a superlative play in the filed during Grapefruit League games. On Friday against the Blue Jays it was Simmons sprinting far into left field to catch a tricky fly ball and Young making a diving catch on a line drive and leaping to against the wall in right-center to snag a fly ball.
“It’s exciting,” Braves left-hander Alex Wood said. “We’ve got such great athleticism across the field.”
Superb defense is expected from Simmons, who is a two-time Gold Glove winner. Young has good range in the outfield so he’s able to track down a lot of hit balls.
Peterson, 24, has been more of a surprise because he’s a prospect who’s new to the Braves after they acquired him in a trade with the Padres in December.
“I thought coming he was just average,” Simmons said of Peterson. “He’s been proven to be a little more than average. He’s been making a lot of good plays. He’s always heads-up. He hustles hard. He’s an awesome second baseman so far, as far as I see.”
Peterson said he’s benefited from playing lots of innings with Simmons this spring.
“He’s obviously one of the best shortstops in the game,” he said. “The stuff he’s told me so far and being able to play alongside of him, I feel like I’m learning a lot. It’s been good. I’ve been enjoying it.”
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