Something is missing – and Adam Duvall knows it.
The outfielder, acquired by the Braves late Monday night, is hitting just .205 this season. However, with 15 home runs and 61 RBIs in 105 games with the Reds before the deal, he thinks he isn’t far off.
“I don’t think I hit the ball all bad this year,” Duvall said Tuesday, just hours after arriving at SunTrust Park. “The power numbers are there. The RBIs are there. The average, obviously, isn’t there. I feel like I’ve put together some good at-bats. Unfortunately, the average isn’t where it normally is. As far as the production numbers, I’m pretty happy with where they are at.”
The Braves acquired Duvall for three players – pitchers Lucas Sims, Matt Wisler and outfielder Preston Tucker.
“I told him, I’ve been a fan of his ever since I saw him,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I really like what he brings.”
Duvall, a right-hander, hit 64 home runs the past two seasons and was a National League All-Star in 2016. He hit .241 and .249 in those seasons, playing in more than 150 games each year.
The plan is for Duvall to play left field against left-handed pitchers. Ronald Acuna will move to center field in those instances. That means Ender Inciarte, a Gold Glove center fielder, is now in a platoon situation.
While Duvall said the Braves were “vague” about his expected role, he said he is excited to be with a new team – and one in a pennant race.
“However, they use me, I’ll go in there and do my best,” Duvall said.
Since the beginning of 2016, Duvall has hit 79 home runs, tied for fifth most in the NL. He was also a finalist for a Gold Glove Award each of those two seasons. He is in his fifth season after playing sparingly for the Giants and Reds in 2014 and 2015.
Duvall arrived at the ballpark about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday after the late-night trade. He was without his gloves and bats, but hoped for their arrival soon. He was not in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Marlins. If needed, Duvall will have to borrow some equipment.
The Braves made two roster moves Tuesday to make room for Kolby Allard, promoted from Triple-A to make his major league debut, and Duvall. Right-hander reliever Peter Moylan was placed on the 10-day disabled list and outfielder Michael Reed was optioned to Triple-A.
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