Tuesday, July 22

ATLANTA -- Here are some random thoughts as we move away from what was a great All-Star Week and toward what could be an eventful final couple months of the season.

1. Braves manager Brian Snitker said he didn’t have to talk to Marcell Ozuna about his decision to sit him while Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin now routinely flip-flop between the catcher and designated hitter spots. Snitker reasoned that when he addressed the team on Friday, he made it clear the most productive players will play.

The obvious reaction to this is: Why didn’t it happen sooner? Well, Ozuna was one of the game’s top offensive performers the past two years. He earned a long leash. But even back when Ozuna was drawing walks at a high rate, he wasn’t his usual power threat. There’s no doubt his troublesome right hip hindered him. But this reality only further complicates his trade market.

2. Along with watching their bullpen allow 12 runs over five innings in a 12-9 loss to the Yankees on Saturday, the Braves were again reminded they are sellers without anything great to sell. Raisel Iglesias had made himself more attractive by working 13 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings. But his value dipped again Saturday, when he issued two walks and allowed two hits, including Trent Grisham’s game-winning ninth-inning grand slam.

The Braves aren’t likely going to get anything more than marginal Minor Leaguers for Ozuna, Iglesias or Pierce Johnson, who has an option for the 2026 season. Ozuna has trade veto rights as a 10-and-5 player. But is he going to veto a trade just to sit on the bench over the final few months before he hits free agency?

3. Austin Riley could be activated from the injured list as early as Tuesday. When he returns, Snitker said he’ll likely keep Jurickson Profar in the leadoff spot and Ronald Acuña Jr. in the three-hole. Hall of Famer Fred McGriff made a good point last week when he said Acuña doesn’t necessarily have as much value in the leadoff spot when he’s not attempting to steal bases as frequently as he did in the past. You can’t argue against the results. The Braves scored seven or more runs in three of the first four games in which Acuña batted third.

4. Joey Wentz will continue to stretch out in his bid to be part of a Major League rotation for the first time since 2023. Wentz threw 50 pitches over three scoreless innings against the Cardinals on July 12 and 59 pitches over four scoreless innings against the Yankees on Saturday in his first start of the year. He has a 5.58 career ERA and will likely not throw more than 75 pitches his next time out. But by default, he’s now the Braves' No. 4 starter. Who is the No. 5 starter? That would be Davis Daniel, a 28-year-old righty who will make his eighth career start and second of the season on Tuesday against the Giants.

5. Chris Sale (fractured left rib) began playing catch this past week and Spencer Schwellenbach (right elbow fracture) is feeling much better. Sale could return at any point after Aug. 19. As for Schwellenbach, the Braves have said there’s a chance he could return in September. But barring a miracle that would put the team in a playoff race, it seems best to let Schwellenbach rest and wait to throw his next meaningful pitch in Spring Training.

6. Nacho Alvarez never looked like a shortstop, but he certainly looks good at third base. Would he be mobile enough to play second base if the Braves opt to cut ties with Ozzie Albies at the end of this year?  He’d certainly be as mobile as Max Muncy and some other recent second basemen have been. The long shot middle-infield option next year would be Alex Lodise, the Braves’ second-round selection in last week’s MLB Draft. The Florida State product could likely compete at the Double-A level right now. If he’s successful during his early weeks as a pro, he would create a big league-ready middle-infield option, something the team currently lacks. 

7. Michael Harris II’s decision to move his hands back up in his batting stance has drawn some rave reviews. His attempt to keep his hands low like Acuña was a reminder that even the most talented athletes don’t have hands as great as Acuña’s. Harris is starting to look more like the guy I thought might have a 30-30 season. More importantly, he’s looking more like a guy the Braves can depend on over the final five years of his deal.

Nick Allen has no home runs through his first 258 at-bats of the season. Who was the last Braves position player to go homerless while totaling at least 250 at-bats in a season?

A. Rafael Belliard
B. Walt Weiss
C. Otis Nixon
D. Yunel Escobar

Watching Acuña's incredible flat-footed throw that completed an inning-ending double play in Friday’s win over the Yankees will never get old. I think it was the most impressive throw I’ve seen, especially when you consider how many people he fooled. 

Jorbit Vivas didn’t slide because he didn’t think there would be a play at third base. Understandable, given Acuña’s nose was pointing toward the foul line when he caught Cody Bellinger’s fly ball. Yankees third-base coach Luis Rojas didn’t signal for Vivas to slide. Heck, Alvarez was also surprised to see that the throw didn’t go to second base.

Why? Well, with runners at first and second, one out and Aaron Judge on deck, the smart play would have been to throw to second base to prevent two runners from being in scoring position. But with Acuña’s arm, you can throw fundamental thinking out the window. His incredible talents defy logical decisions.

D. Escobar 

Escobar went homerless in the 261 at-bats he tallied for the Braves before being traded to the Blue Jays during the 2010 season. Weiss went homerless over 347 at-bats in 1998. But he also hit .280 with a .729 OPS that year.

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