Braves veteran Adam Duvall called up with ‘most to prove’

The Atlanta Braves have once again found a winning formula. But that doesn’t mean everything is running at full speed.

Since right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season-ending knee injury, Adam Duvall has struggled with a .132/.195/.237 slash line in 82 plate appearances. Over the last 21 games, Duvall also has only four extra-base hits.

Over the past 41 contests, Duvall has recorded a multi-hit performance.

That’s obviously not enough production for the Braves to replace last year’s MVP winner. So on June 20, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report argued that Duvall was under pressure to prove he could be better before the Braves decided who to add at the MLB trade deadline.

“Since Ronald Acuna Jr. was lost to a torn ACL on May 26, veteran Adam Duvall has been the Braves’ primary right fielder, and his production has been sorely lacking,” Reuter wrote.

“The 35-year-old had a 119 OPS+ with 21 homers in 353 plate appearances with the Boston Red Sox last season, earning him a one-year, $3 million contract and his third draft. gas in Atlanta.

“He has shown himself capable of getting hot at the plate throughout his career, and his next hot streak could be just around the corner.”

Duvall has always been a consistent hitter. But that could work to the Braves’ advantage if it gets hot later this summer.

In 2021, Duvall posted a .495 slugging percentage with 15 home runs in 54 games after being acquired by the team in late July. He then hit 2 more home runs and added 6 RBIs in six playoff games in October.

Ramón Laureano and Forrest Wall performed well last week. If Duvall continues to struggle, they could each play more often, moving Duvall back into a reserve role.

But the Braves will also likely continue to give Duvall plenty of at-bats, at least until Michael Harris II returns, to see if he can find a rhythm. With a lot to prove, Duvall could still make a significant impact this summer.