Juan Francisco and Evan Gattis put up standout shows in Winter League-MLB Update
Atlanta Braves can take heart from the fact that their Minor League left fielder, Evan Gattis and the third baseman, Juan Francisco performed exceptionally well in the Winter League.
Though these two players are unlikely to be a part of the Opening Day roster for the 2013 Major League regular season, they have shown necessary credentials to join the expedition of the team somewhere down the line.
Francisco has a Major League experience already, unlike Gattis. The way he struck hits regularly in the Winter League, the Braves can think seriously about making him a potential successor of Chipper Jones at third base.
Right now, the Braves have hardly anybody in the team who can replace Jones’ extravagant appearance at the plate and consistent home runs and RBIs that he could bring for the club.
Even catcher, Brian McCann, who was previously considered as the next Jones for the club, cannot offset impact of the star third baseman.
It has to be a long hard process for the Braves to find someone who can become the face of the franchise, just as the Jones was.
Francisco can be one of the players that can attract their attention in this regard. By according a special care to him, they can nurture his skills and help Francisco join the list of the strongest hitters of the game.
Gattis is another player, who impressed during the Winter League. By looking at his shows at the plate, it has become easy to predict he is going to earn the team call soon at the Major League level.
Off-course, there may be some issues that he needs to work on but by-and-large he was outstanding in the League.
What may stop one from being overly optimistic about him is the fact that Winter League does not represent the competitiveness seen in the Major League.
It is something the Braves’ officials will also be aware of.
It remains to be seen as to what extent they take his stats there as a signal of his Major League potential.
Only the time will tell about the chances of Gattis and Francisco becoming regular campaigners for Atlanta.
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