Josh Donaldson will make his Braves debut Friday night against the Phillies.
Donaldson, who signed with the team in November, represents their biggest chance at external improvement to the offense. The former MVP has dabbled in injuries the past two seasons, but he’s healthy and expects a big year for both himself and the club.
Here’s what Donaldson said Wednesday after playing in a simulated game. The Braves were off Thursday.
On his sim game, where he went 3-for-3 with a double and homer (off a minor-league coach):
“It was obviously a little different of an environment, but I was thankful to be able to do that before I go into a game. I try to make it as similar to a game as possible. Being able to run the bases, get out of the box, hit the double and be able to feel what that is. It was a step in the right direction. It looks like it’s in line to go Friday.”
"They've done a great job with me, building me up. It's a lot different being in cleats than in shoes so it's been a process. It's been, to my viewpoint, very successful. … Just building up and being able to run the bases, all that jazz. Make sure my legs feel strong underneath me. That's where we're at.
“I feel great about where I’m at. It’s been awesome to be able to come in here day in and day out and put quality work in. I haven’t had to tend to a calf or last year, I had some shoulder stuff going on in spring training where I wasn’t going into the season feeling great anyhow. As of right now, I’m feeling very confident that if this season were to start in a week or two, my body would be feeling very good to where there won’t be any questions.”
On how many spring training at-bats he needs to be ready:
“Spring training at-bats, they’re not very meaningful. It’s hard to simulate a regular-season at-bat versus a spring training at-bat. It’s going to be different in the regular season. You have guys getting amped up, their stuff is going to be different from now in spring training. But in spring training it’s good to be able to see the ball and feel the bat, making sure you’re moving properly. I don’t think it takes that many (at-bats). I don’t have a certain number in my head but it’s just more along the lines of how well I’m seeing the ball.”
On his mind-set for Friday:
“The last week or so, it’s been chomping at the bit a little bit. But we’ve had a lot of conversations. Just trying to be smart about everything and checking all the boxes off. I’m looking forward to going out there and playing, and more importantly not think about anything while I’m out there playing.”
On working with Chipper Jones and other Braves alumni:
“It’s great to be able to see him. I feel like what Atlanta does so well is they bring these former guys in who had a lot of success. It’s quite the benefit of an organization to have a Hall of Famer who’s wanting to come in and spend time with the younger guys, give them food for thought and bounce ideas off of them. Maybe what he thought in certain situations, how he’s approached things, it’s always a luxury to have a guy like that around.”
On his teammates:
“This team is good. Offensively, I think we’re going to be able to do some things this year. I don’t know all of our pitching staff, so it’s hard for me to speak on that, and I haven’t seen a lot of the guys. But from what I hear, talking to B-Mac (Brian McCann) and Tyler Flowers, they like what they’re seeing. It’s going to take some time this season to get that identity as a team. Every year is a new year, and you have to approach it seeing how everyone gels together. There’s going to be some people in this clubhouse who overachieve even what we expect of them. We’re going to see how that all fits together.”
