Braves: 1 biggest disappointment of spring training so far

If you want to identify the Atlanta Braves’ biggest disappointment thus far in spring training, look no further than how their four 2020 Silver Sluggers are performing at the plate.

The Atlanta Braves‘ four 2020 Silver Sluggers have combined to hit under .800 in the early part of spring training.

It may not seem like much, but Braves Country is probably not thrilled to see Ronald Acuña Jr., Travis d’Arnaud, Freddie Freeman and Marcell Ozuna struggle at the plate this spring. Yes, these games do not count, but Atlanta is hoping its four power bats don’t fall asleep at the plate by the time the regular season gets here. Somehow, some way, they are all hitting below .200 this spring.

Atlanta Braves 2020 Silver Sluggers spring training batting averages

• Ronald Acuña Jr.: .174 (4-for-23 in eight games)
• Travis d’Arnaud: .154 (2-for-13 in six games)
• Freddie Freeman: .182 (2-for-11 in six games)
• Marcell Ozuna: .125 (2-for-16 in eight games)

Yes, this is an incredibly small sample size, but it is both hilarious and sad that the big bats of the Braves have largely underwhelmed this spring. Again, these games do not matter, but the last thing Atlanta will want is a third-capacity crowd at Truist Park falling asleep in early April because their beloved team is unable to score runs. Then again, this offense can come alive in a hurry, too.

Atlanta is one of a handful of teams who can win the NL pennant this year. While the Braves are not favored to do so, as they play in the same Senior Circuit with the reigning World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta did win its first two postseason series last year since 2001. The Braves are in win-now mode and have no excuses for not getting the job done in 2021.

If Acuña, d’Arnaud, Freeman and Ozuna keep hitting below the Mendoza Line, that will be an issue.