Remember Orlando Arcia when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers? The shortstop who had one of the best defensive ranges and throwing arms you’d ever see, but also was one of the most frustrating at-bats you could possibly watch?
After six painstaking years on the Brewers in which he never took many strides forward on offense and, if anything, took a few strides back on defense, he was finally traded to the Atlanta Braves in April of 2021. From there, things did not immediately take off for him, but the improvements have been gradual.
Now, he is leading all National League shortstops in All-Star Game voting, and would be the starter at the position if the voting ended today. Talk about a complete 180.
Ex-Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia leads all NL shortstops in All-Star voting.
The 2023 version of Arcia is walking more, striking out less and hitting the ball so much harder than he ever did as a member of the Brewers. It’s a frustrating development for the Crew, as he joins the ever-growing list of players who wait until they leave Milwaukee to truly see their careers take off.
On the season, the 28-year-old has made 44 appearances for the Braves, hitting eight doubles and five home runs with 22 runs scored, 19 driven in and a batting average all the way up to .325. His OPS of .855 and OPS+ of 129 are both far and away the best marks he’s ever had throughout his eight-year big league career.
For the Brewers, things aren’t looking so pretty. Here’s how things are shaking out for a club that currently sits at 34-32, good for second place in the NL Central division.
Catcher – William Contreras – 9th
First base – Rowdy Tellez – 6th
Second base – N/A
Third base – Brian Anderson – 10th
Shortstop – Willy Adames – 10th
Designated hitter – N/A
Outfielders – N/A
That’s … not good. It’s worth wondering if Jim Bowden of The Athletic was on to something when he predicted that only one representative of the Brewers would make the 2023 Midsummer Classic.
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