As the MLB season is just a few days away its time to take a look at what upcoming stars you should watch out for in the Rookie of the Year race. Today, we will be talking about Atlanta Braves center fielder Jordan Schafer.
As the top prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization, Jordan Schafer has been hyped for a few years. Jordan has spent 4 years in the minor leagues, spending last season in Double-A.
When the Braves traded Josh Anderson yesterday, they opened the door for Schafer to become the opening day center fielder. Jordan has been mashing this spring, hitting at a .373 clip. Of his 22 base hits, Schafer has collected 32 total bases. Jordan’s biggest competition for the job is Gregor Blanco, who has posted a .111 batting average throughout the spring.
Schafer has a line drive swing that is perfect for him as a left handed hitter. He is projected to be a leadoff hitter in the major leagues, but he has the skills to bat anywhere in the top 3. He has some issues with his strikeout numbers, but his plate discipline should improve as he adjusts to major league pitching.
Jordan has 20/20 potential for his rookie season in the big leagues, assuming he gets the starting center field job. His average won’t wow and should float around .260 and .270. If he bats leadoff, expect around 60 RBIs. Hitting infront of guys like Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Casey Kotchman, Schafer has an excellent opportunity to become a table setter for years to come.
