Atlanta Braves fans apologetic for doubting Orlando Arcia before hot start to the season: "Give Arcia the MVP" "Dansby Swanson who? We have Orlando"
Atlanta Braves fans were left scratching their heads when manager Brian Snitker announced that Orlando Arcia was going to be the team's starting shortstop in 2023.
AR-SEEYA LATER!
#ForTheA https://t.co/aeqdNHi3IE
In the wake of Dansby Swanson's free-agent departure to the Chicago Cubs, most prognosticators figured that the Braves would install budding star Vaughn Grissom as Swanson's replacement. Grissom had put forth a stellar effort, hitting .291 with five home runs, 18 RBIs, 24 runs, and five stolen bases over a 41-game 2022 debut after his surprise call-up from Double-A Mississippi to replace injured second baseman Ozzie Albies.
If not Grissom, then it was believed that highly-regarded prospect Braden Shewmake would almost certainly take over at shortstop. Few thought that Arcia, who has arguably done little to distinguish himself since the Braves received him from the Milwaukee Brewers in a 2021 trade.
@Braves Arcia to all the haters https://t.co/2AoZu4guKG
Orlando Arcia had a .243 batting average over seven major league seasons entering 2023. In 99 games with the Braves in 2021 and 2022, he hit a paltry .237. His best season came in 2017, his first full season in Milwaukee, when he hit .277 with 15 home runs and 14 stolen bases over 153 games. Few were willing to give the 28-year-old even the slightest benefit of the doubt.
Surprise!
Arcia burst from the gate to hit .370, failing to get at least one hit in just one of the six games he has played. He was instrumental in the Atlanta Braves' come-from-behind 7-6 win over the San Diego Padres in Atlanta's home opener on Thursday night, hitting his first home run of the season before driving in Eddie Rosario with the winning run on a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth.
@Braves give arcia the mvp
@Braves LET'S GO https://t.co/v0m2rF8gSZ
Swanson had his finest MLB season in 2022, hitting .277 with 25 home runs and 96 RBIs while playing in all 162 regular-season games. He earned his first All-Star Game appearance, as well as his first Gold Glove Award while finishing 12th in the National League Most Valuable Player balloting.
However, Swanson left Atlanta to sign a seven-year, $177 million contract with the Cubs last winter. His departure left Braves fans fretting for their future.
No longer.
@Braves Dudes making $168 mill less or something like that than Swason.. love to see it
@Braves Dansby Swanson who? We have Orlando 😎 https://t.co/3IqPywbgg9
@Braves NAH ARCIA CAN REPLACE DANSBY ALL DAY LONG THIS TEAM SLAPS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM🪓
Atlanta Braves fans are now lining up to apologize to Orlando Arcia, as well as team general manager Alex Anthopoulos.
@Braves Me once again to Orlando Arcia https://t.co/7uVKJA9zj0
@Braves https://t.co/P56HAwJzyZ
@Braves I will never question this man nor Braves legend Orlando Arcia again https://t.co/0OeuXmi0qT
@Braves never doubted this man once
How long can the Atlanta Braves ride the Orlando Arcia wave?
Orlando Arcia would not be the first MLB player to be a late bloomer, and maybe the Atlanta Braves have caught lightning in a bottle. However, his .243 career batting average does highly suggest a regression to the mean at some point.