The Braves hope Mallex Smith is their lead-off hitter of the future. With Smith showing offensive improvement while hitting at the bottom of the order, Braves interim manager Brian Snitker has decided to try the rookie outfielder at the top of the lineup now.
Smith batted No. 1 against the Reds on Monday. It was the first time Smith hit lead-off when Ender Inciarte also was in the lineup, and Snitker said Smith will get an extended look there.
“I kind of thought he was ready,” Snitker said. “It’s time. Let’s try it and see what happens. He’s been getting on base and having some pretty good at-bats. Just change the look a little bit and get something going.”
Smith has gone through some growing pains on the base paths but he’s been good defensively and has improved at the plate. In 36 games from May 1 through Sunday he hit .278 with a .324 OBP and .474 slugging percentage to raise his season numbers to .248/.308/.414.
In 41 games in the starting lineup before Monday Smith hit ninth 23 times, eighth 11 times and first seven times. He was the lead-off hitter in the first four games after his promotion from Triple-A Gwinnett and four other times when Inciarte was active but not in the lineup.
Snitker and former Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez both regularly put Smith ninth in the lineup, behind the pitcher. In 88 plate appearances as the No. 9 hitter, including eight as a pinch hitter, Smith has hit .325 with a .368 on-base percentage and .550 slugging percentage.
“I think it worked,” Snitker said. “But at some point and time we’ll have to look at him as a potential lead-off guy. I won’t say that this is etched in stone or it’s going to be every day, but we’ll try it out and see.”
Snitker said Smith probably won’t get increased playing time with the move up in the order. Since being promoted from Triple-A Gwinnett, Smith has started 41 games and played in 52 of the team’s 57 during that time.
Smith, who bats left, generally hasn’t been in the lineup when the Braves face left-handed starters. Entering Monday he was hitting .073 with a .156 OBP in 46 plate appearances against lefties.
“I think how we’ve been doing it has worked and it has been all right, and it’s been good for him breaking him into the major leagues,” Snitker said.
