Each writing from Lake Buena Vista, Fla., AJC columnist Jeff Schultz and beat writer David O’Brien each took time this week to examine the progress of Braves outfielder Hector Olivera, who was 2-for-3 on Tuesday to improve his batting average to .474 this spring. In 19 at-bats, he has nine hits, all singles.
Schultz noted that unlike most prospects, Olivera needs to make far more adjustments to changes in his life. "(He) is living in a new country, adjusting to a new culture, barely understanding a new language, supporting a family with a young son, a mother and an ill sister, and facing the realization that as he nears his 31st birthday, his window for professional success is relatively small."
O'Brien describes Olivera's struggles in maintaining consistent mechanics. He wrote, "His front foot, which he's kept on the ground in his swings during batting practice and during early work in the cage, has begun to come off the ground again during in-game swings. In other words, the nearly 31-year-old Cuban remains a work in progress approaching his first full season in the majors."
• Why Olivera commands more attention than other prospects.
• About time spent with manager Fredi Gonzalez in the offseason.
In O’Brien’s article, read about:
• What Braves hitting coaches say about Olivera.
• How the instruction he’s receiving with the Braves compares with what he received in Cuba.
Read the full Jeff Schultz column here.
Read the full David O’Brien article here.
Other Braves articles of interest:
Could Ozzie Albies force someone’s hand?
Braves to play Marlins in Fort Bragg, N.C.
Freddie Freeman said that even amid makeover he never asked for a trade.
