While inclement weather spoiled the potential Major-League debut of Braves OF Cristian Pache, the move to put him on the active roster gave fans a glimpse into how they will use him in the future.
Manager Brian Snitker placed Pache in the lineup in the number 9 slot in rained-out affair, playing left field, allowing the 21-year-old to get his feet wet in the corner outfield. Conventional wisdom would dictate after a few games it would not be out of the realm of possibility to see him get a few games in center field as well.
While the guys on the Batter Up! Podcast understand that Pache's promotion corresponded with a short-term move in placing Nick Markakis on the COVID-19 injured list, they believe the young outfielder will last longer with the big club.
"I've always been of the opinion that you bring a guy like Pache up to leave him on the big league roster. You bring him up to get regular at-bats," Will Palaszczuk said. "Especially when you're not playing games outside of intrasquads at the alternate sites, he needs to be in the lineup everyday."
Joe Patrick says "If you're looking at a player who is, by all accounts, your future in center field, then it makes total sense to plug him into the squad and keep things rolling from there."
Caleb Johnson offers a defense for the man Pache might replace in Ender Inciarte by admitting, "The moment Ender messes up you automatically notice it." He does however believe there's some hypocrisy involving the Braves' philosophy on prospects, saying, "They need plenty of pitching, yet they seem so afraid to pull off the 'plastic sheeting' on their pitching prospects, but they did it Pache real quick as soon as Nick Markakis thought he came in contact with someone who had COVID."
The Braves have some time to experiment with two of their big position players, Ronald Acuña, Jr. & Ozzie Albies, both nursing wrist injuries. Atlanta also has felt wary about putting Marcell Ozuna in the field given his recent struggles defensively.
Be sure to listen to the Batter Up! Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to check out the latest episode below: