Bench role? Minors? Braves torn on what to do with Mallex Smith
OXON HILL, MD. -- Among the Braves' heralded prospects, Mallex Smith's speed makes him unique, which is why the organization is conflicted on what to do with him.
"The question we'll have to ask ourselves, and are asking ourselves," said president of baseball operations John Hart during Tuesday's second day of MLB's Winter Meetings, "is are we doing him a disservice, and ultimately ourselves a disservice, by making him a bench player or a role player?"
Atlanta's outfield is full of regulars who rarely take a day off. Left fielder Matt Kemp has played no fewer than 150 games the past three years; right fielder Nick Markakis has played 156 and 158 in a Braves uniform, and center fielder Ender Inciarte, after his return from injury May 7, sat out five games.
While the 23-year-old Smith has immense value on the base paths -- he swiped 16 bags in 72 games for the Braves in 2016 and 230 bags in four-plus seasons in the minors -- limiting him to a threat off the bench as a fourth outfielder who rarely plays isn't an ideal situation.
That's why the Braves' Minor League Player of the Year in 2015, Smith may find himself back there. His '16 was cut short due to a broken thumb suffered June 19 and while there were glimpses of promise at the plate -- he doubled twice vs. the Red Sox on April 28, delivered two homers against the Pirates May 17 and had three three-hit games -- he slashed .238/.316/.365 with seven doubles, four triples, three home runs and 85 wRC+ in 189 at-bats.
"We can look at it both ways," Hart said. "Mallex getting hurt this year did not do him any service ... he got hurt and in effect lost 2/3 of a year of development. This is a talented player, but he still needs more development time."
He showed plenty of progress on the base paths in his abbreviated debut. Caught seven times in 13 attempts through his first 37 games, Smith was thrown out just once in his final 11 tries.
He also provided a strong defensive presence, with seven defensive runs saved and a 10.9 UZR/150 while playing 279 2/3 innings in center, 162 1/3 in left and nine in right. Among Braves, only Gold Glove winner Inciarte (13), Markakis (10) and first baseman Freddie Freeman (nine) saved more runs.
But Smith's overall value of a 0.5 WAR was brought down by minus-4.3 offensive WAR. If Braves were looking toward the Mexican winter league play to see him take the next step at the plate, it didn't happen. He struggled during his first 2 1/2 weeks with Naranjeros de Hermosillo -- five hits and two walks in 48 plate appearances -- and then strained an oblique.
Hence why Atlanta is torn on what to do with him.
Smith could compete for a spot in a crowded outfield -- one that now includes utility man Sean Rodriguez, and Jace Peterson may be an option there as well -- but would that be a detriment to truly tapping into his potential?
Although, like a year ago, when he was thrust into the starting job when Inciarte went down with a hamstring injury in April, Smith's development could happen at the MLB level, something Atlanta is comfortable with.
"If there's an opportunity," Hart said, "somebody gets hurt and he's getting every day at bats and finishing himself off, working on his bunting, working on his base stealing, routes in center field all the little things, I'm OK there too.
Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney and Facebook. His books, 'Tales from the Atlanta Braves Dugout: A Collection of the Greatest Braves Stories Ever Told,' and 'The Heisman Trophy: The Story of an American Icon and Its Winners.' are now available.
