Braves rookie Mallex Smith isn’t producing at the plate so far and has had a few misadventures in the field. But manager Fredi Gonzalez said he doesn’t believe Smith has been overmatched at the plate and is an advocate for the organization’s top outfield prospect to remain with the big-league club.
“I think he’s OK,” Gonzalez said Saturday. “Obviously I have been one of his biggest allies for him to stay here. I feel this will be better for him than going down. We have options, but I’ve been one of his biggest supporters and backers for him to stay up here.”
Smith, who bats left, wasn’t in the lineup against Mets left-hander Steven Matz on Saturday. Since making his big-league debut April 11, Smith has been a regular. He has made 10 starts as Ender Inciarte works his way back from a hamstring injury.
Smith, 22, has had some good moments at the plate, most notably a go-ahead RBI single in the 10th inning during a victory against the Marlins. But entering Saturday, Smith was batting .162 with a .262 on-base percentage and 15 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances.
Smith also made two key fielding miscues against the Dodgers during this homestand. He contributed to a two-base error when he failed to yield to right fielder Jeff Francoeur and crashed into him on a fly ball. Smith also took a bad break before dropping the ball on a diving catch attempt, leading to the go-ahead run in the 10th inning Thursday.
Gonzalez characterized both of those plays as mistakes that he can live with from a young player.
“I think he’s done fine,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve seen guys run into right fielders that have been around the league 20 years. He’s an aggressive center fielder.”
The Braves have four veteran outfielders available at Triple-A Gwinnett: Emilio Bonifacio, Tyler Moore, Chase a’Arnaud and Matt Tuiasosopo. But for now Gonzalez plans to stick with Smith and let him learn at the big-league level while Inciarte mends.
