Where is the Atlanta Braves number one prospect, Cristian Pache?
Pache was placed on the 10-day injured list back on May 14 with a right hamstring injury but no update has been given since.
While Pache was playing great defense out in center field, he was struggling mightily offensively prior to his latest stint on the IL. So what do the Braves do when he gets healthy?
Gabe Burns, who covers the Braves for the AJC, joined the Midday Show on Tuesday. He believes Pache, when healthy, won't be a part of Atlanta's future plans in center field.
"I would say that when he gets back, I would be surprised if he's put back in center field," Burns told Andy and Randy. "The way that he was struggling--they kind of made it clear that they were kind of ready to send him down, just let him get some reps in Triple-A. I think that he was kind of forced back up."
Pache has a batting average of just .111, striking out 25 times compared to just two walks with a .366 OPS in his 22 games prior to injury.
"We knew that (his) offense was not quite there yet. We knew that he projected as an elite defensive talent and you just have to wait on the offense...so you're going to have to be patient with him regardless...right now, I would not factor Pache into their immediate center field plans when he gets back."