The Atlanta Braves have plenty of prospect ammo in their farm system, but that doesn’t mean every player is deserving of a September call-up.
The Atlanta Braves are in the middle of an NL East race, one they should arguably win given the Phillies inexperience, and the Mets tough schedule down the stretch which includes series with the Dodgers and Giants.
Atlanta, meanwhile, has struggled to find much consistency all season beyond winning and losing in consecutive days. They’ve been stuck in the mud, quite literally, and in that mud is mediocrity. Yet, despite a crushing injury to Ronald Acuña, Atlanta finds themselves in a position to steal the NL East.
Atlanta Braves shouldn’t waste their time with Cristian Pache
Pache is the team’s top-ranked prospect, and while it may seem like a good idea to call him up for the stretch run, let’s not forget how much he struggled early in the season.
The 22-year-old has a bright future, but he hit .111 in 63 at-bats to start the regular season. That proved not to be good enough to even hold on as a fourth outfield option. Although he’s gotten hot as of late, including a two home run game earlier in the week, now is not the time to test Pache in the majors yet again.
A pennant race is too critical to the Braves present, and perhaps too dangerous for a player like Pache. Should he struggle again, his confidence may never recover.