Braves fans already are seeing why Ender Inciarte is considered one of the best young defensive center fielders in baseball.
Inciarte made a diving catch of Nationals slugger Ryan Zimmerman’s drive to the right-center gap on Wednesday, and then immediately bounced up to double Bryce Harper off of first base. Inciarte also made a running catch to rob Anthony Rendon of a hit and preserve a tie in the ninth inning of the season opener.
On both of those plays Inciarte got a jump on the ball with excellent anticipation and used his speed to track them down over a long distance.
“Everybody knows I like to play defense,” Inciarte said. “Every time I am out there I am going to do my best to steal some hits. I know the pitches appreciate that.”
Braves starter Bud Norris showed his gratitude for Inciarte’s snag of Zimmerman’s shot by raising both arms in the air. There was no score at the time and the catch prevented what likely would have been a double to give Harper a chance to score.
“Unreal play,” Norris said. “Definitely a ‘web gem’ as far as I’m concerned. That was a great play, and then to get the guy out at first, too.”
The Braves acquired Inciarte as part of a trade with the Diamondbacks in December. He ranked second among major league outfielders with 29 Defensive Runs Saved in 2015 in spite of playing just 132 games.
In two seasons with the Diamondbacks Inciarte played 99 games in center field, 84 in left and 78 in right. He’s expected to be the regular centerfielder for the Braves.
“I can’t lie, I love being the centerfielder,” he said. “I take pride of my job when I am out there.”
