The shortstop carousel for the Atlanta Braves isn’t just spinning anymore—it’s wobbling dangerously, and it’s anyone’s guess who’s still holding on by July.
While there are a handful of names tossed around like loose change—Arcia, Allen, Alvarez—the one name that no one had on their 2025 bingo card might be the one sneaking up with the most potential heat: Jose Devers.
From All-Star to Afterthought: Arcia’s Fade
Orlando Arcia? Remember him? Yeah, the guy who briefly fooled us all in 2023 into thinking he was a long-term answer after that All-Star nod. Since then, he’s been tumbling down the production cliff.
Sure, he’s splitting time with Nick Allen now, but let’s be honest—this isn’t a platoon so much as it is a “please, someone do something” situation. Allen might be hitting now, but history suggests that won’t last. And the guy couldn’t slug his way out of a paper bag.
Then there’s Nacho Alvarez, a name that carries more buzz than substance at the moment. The tools are intriguing, and the defense is fine—but a .256 OPS to start the season? That’s not just a slump.
That’s a blinking neon sign that says “not ready.” And the next wave—Jose Perdomo and John Gil—they’re still riding buses in the minors. The Braves need help now, not in 2027.
Devers Surprises: Minor League Deal, Major League Momentum
Let’s be real—Devers was more trivia than talent not long ago. “Wait, isn’t he Rafael’s cousin?” That was his calling card.
The former Yankee signee was sent packing in the Giancarlo Stanton trade, bounced around, and barely sniffed the majors. But the Braves rolled the dice this offseason and tucked him away on a minor league deal. Just in case.
Through eight games with Gwinnett? The man is on fire. We’re talking .379/.375/.621. Yes, that OBP is funky (a rare reverse split with more hits than walks or HBPs), but the power surge is the real eye-opener. This isn’t a guy who’s ever mashed. But now? It looks like something’s clicked.
Is Devers the Unexpected Answer For the Braves?
If something has clicked for Devers—if this isn’t just a flash in the pan—then the Braves might have stumbled into a goldmine. A guy who’s glove-first with high contact and now some pop? That’s not a fill-in. That’s a solution.
Now look, no one’s saying throw a parade for eight games. It’s a small sample, and we’ve all seen Spring Training MVPs vanish by Memorial Day. But if Allen cools off and Arcia continues his nosedive, Atlanta might be forced to give Devers a shot. And if he delivers? That’s a front office steal for the ages.
Keep an eye on Gwinnett. Something is brewing down there—and it might just rewrite the Braves’ shortstop story.
