Atlanta Braves: Tyler Pastornicky Needs to Be the Everyday Shortstop in 2012

After the Atlanta Braves opted not to acquire a shortstop this offseason, 22-year-old Tyler Pastornicky entered Spring Training as the favorite to become the team’s everyday shortstop. 

Although not a spectacular player by any means, Pastornicky—the Braves’ No. 7 ranked prospect—has consistently produced while moving a level per year through the system.  Basically, the Braves know exactly what they’re getting in Pastornicky: a player who puts the ball in play, can swipe some bags, and play an above-average shortstop.

Or at least that’s what they hoped.

Headed into Tuesday’s game against the Detorit Tigers, Pastornicky was batting .125/.143/.125 and playing himself out of the position.  His struggles opened the door for fellow prospect Andrelton Simmons, their No. 4 prospect who projects to be the everyday shortstop within the next couple years—but not now.  Not when his highest level reached is High-A. 

Pastornicky is merely supposed to be a short-term place-mat for Simmons.

However, Simmons has also struggled at the plate despite a hot start, batting .206 with one extra-base hit and six strikeouts in 34 at-bats.  But his flashy defense and plus range have opened eyes around camp, while Pastornicky has appeared tense and raw in the field. 

Headed into this week, it seemed as though Simmons was pulling ahead, despite his overall unimpressive spring at the plate.

But on Tuesday, Pastornicky picked up a knock in a 1-for-3 performance.

On Wednesday, even more signs of life, as the Florida-native came off the bench to deliver a pinch-hit single.

And then finally, on Thursday afternoon against the Marlins, Pastornicky busted out of his spring-long drought by going 4-for-5—his first multi-hit game of the season. (Please, hold your applause.)   

Granted none of them were for extra bases, but give the poor guy a break; he’s taking baby steps.

The four-hit performance raised Pastornicky’s batting average nearly 60 points—to .224—and he’ll need to keep hitting to overshadow Simmons’ defense. Although it indicates nothing about his future successes, the Braves organization must have collectively exhaled following Thursday’s game.

They desperately need Pastornicky to be their everyday shortstop this season.  Otherwise they will be forced to rush their best position prospect, Simmons, to the Major Leagues despite having only 756 professional at-bats under his belt, all in the lower-minors. Such a scenario has the potential to destroy his development—something the Braves obviously would prefer not to risk.

Pastornicky, a career .278 hitter in 1,516 career minor league at-bats, doesn’t need to turn in a Rookie of the Year-worthy season in order to demonstrate value.

Rather, if he could just hit .250, steal 15-20 bases, and play above-average defense, he will more than suffice as the Braves’ everyday shortstop in 2012.

And let's be honest, it'd be hard to be a worse hitter than Jack Wilson.