Almost two years ago the Milwaukee Brewers traded shortstop Orlando Arcia to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitchers Chad Sobotka and Patrick Weigel. With the Brew Crew, both pitchers elected free agency at the end of the 2021 season. For Atlanta, Arcia has remained with the team and now reportedly will be the Braves opening day shortstop.
Former Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia is inline to start opening day for the Atlanta Braves
Orlando Arcia will be the Braves’ Opening Day shortstop, according to @DOBrienATL.
Atlanta has sent Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake to Triple-A Gwinnett while Ehire Adrianza will be a utility infielder. pic.twitter.com/04kb1ktLNS
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) March 20, 2023
Atlanta Braves beat reporter for The Athletic David O’Brien reported this news. He indicates that Orlando Arcia’s competition in Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake have been optioned to Triple-A and Ehire Adrianza will serve more as a utility infielder.
Last year the Braves had star Dansby Swanson playing shortstop for them. He inked a big contract with the Chicago Cubs during the offseason. This has opened the door, at least for now, for Orlando Arcia.
As a member of the Braves, Arcia has logged 312 plate at-bats in 99 games. He has split time between Triple-A and the Major Leagues over the past two seasons and also battled a hamstring injury last season.
It will be interesting to see if this 28 year old can make the most out of his opportunity to begin the 2023 season. He has put up mediocre numbers this spring to the tune of a .247/.367/.360 slash line, but as always the glove has been impressive. Given the fact that the Braves are expected to be NL contenders again this year, at some point he will need to produce offensively.
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