It would seem as though the hype behind Andrelton Simmons is not without merit. The 23-year old Braves shortstop has become the breakout star of the World Baseball Classic, leading his Dutch team all the way to the semi finals, hitting for surprising power in addition to his normally superb defense.
This isn’t the first time Andrelton Simmons turned heads during the month of March. He a big splash last season after he nearly won the Braves starting shortstop job out of Spring Training, only to take over the role full time after his service time was safely within Super Two range at the beginning of June.
Simmons turned heads during the Braves spring campaign, despite never playing above A ball. After posting strong numbers in his first trip through Double-A, Simmons more than held his own at the big league level. Before a hand injury knocked him out for two months in July, Simmons hit .296/.336/.452 while playing superlative defense at shortstop during his first month at the big league level.
The early returns were good but it was just a short exposure to big league pitching. After returning from injury in September, Simmons numbers were a little more pedestrian, posting just a .297 wOBA in a near-meaningless 57 plate appearances. Braves fans could be hopeful for Simmons future while tempering their expectations.
Until the World Baseball Classic started. Simmons’ incredible performance vaulted the Netherlands into the semifinals and Simmons back in the conversation as the future of the Braves franchise.
