Braves add Luplow to outfield mix with 1-year deal

ATLANTA — Jordan Luplow’s defensive abilities earned him an opportunity to crack the Braves’ outfield combine subsequent yr.

Luplow signed a one-year, $1.4 million take care of the Braves on Monday. As issues presently stand, the 29-year-old outfielder will come to Spring Training with an opportunity to battle for the left discipline spot. But there’s all the time an opportunity one other outfielder may very well be added earlier than the season begins.

Luplow, who was non-tendered by the D-backs, has an possibility remaining and may be managed via the 2024 season. The Braves tried to accumulate him earlier than August’s Trade Deadline, however Arizona opted to not transfer him.

The Braves are hopeful Eddie Rosario bounces again from a tough 2022 season, which was blemished and shortened by imaginative and prescient points. But Luplow may show to be a very good platoon possibility, or a precious backup outfielder able to dealing with each nook spots.

Luplow hit .176 with 11 homers and a .634 OPS in 234 plate appearances for the D-backs this previous season. The 29-year-old outfielder’s finest offensive season occurred in 2019, when he hit .276 with 15 homers and a .923 OPS over 261 plate appearances for the Guardians.

While the Braves don’t know what they’ll get from Luplow offensively, they look ahead to what he brings defensively. His arm energy ranked within the 96th percentile in MLB, and he has proven nice vary whereas enjoying each nook outfield spots.

Luplow produced a .673 OPS and hit eight of his 11 homers towards left-handed pitchers final yr, however he has an .841 OPS towards them in his profession. This creates the potential of a platoon with Rosario. If nothing else, the Braves’ latest outfielder may very well be a stable backup, who may help Ronald Acuña Jr.’s stability by capably dealing with the correct discipline spot every so often.