What the Atlanta Braves gain with Luis Guillorme
Former Mets utilityman Luis Guillorme was acquired by the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.
The Atlanta Braves signed former New York Mets utility infielder Luis Guillorme to a one-year contract on Friday night, solidifying their major league bench. What can we expect from the 29-year-old in the coming season?
Defense that is capable but not extraordinary
Prior to his 2018 debut, Guillorme was regarded as the best defensive infielder in the Mets organization, and time has done little to lessen those defensive skills.
According to MLB Statcast, Guillorme was a 79th percentile defender in 2022, the last year he saw substantial and extended defensive play, contributing five OAA (Outs Above Average). Despite not possessing exceptional arm or foot speed, he manages to contribute defensively by depending on his placement, reflexes, and quick first step to field his position with excellent range.
In 2022, he graded out positively at all three non-first infield positions, with three OAA at second base (+1% success rate added), one OAA at third base (+2% success rate added), and two OAA at shortstop (+10% success rate added).
Given his arm strength, he’s most suited to second base, but there are plenty of perfectly capable third-base defenders in the major leagues who don’t have outstanding arms, with Jeimer Candelario (then of the Nationals and Cubs) being a notable example from last year.
And Guillorme’s hands are fantastic, as seen by this barehanded grab of a soaring bat:
(Those wondering why we didn’t look into Guillorme’s 2023 defense should know that he only had 104 total defensive opportunities due to injuries, including only 4 at shortstop, thus the defensive metrics aren’t statistically relevant.)
Offensively, he can contribute but not lead.
Guillorme has a.261 batting average but only a.677 OPS in his career. The problem is a lack of power – his average exit velocity (86.6) is lower than the major league average, with the league as a whole hovering at 88.4 mph. In this regard, he’s decidedly anti-Braves, as Atlanta prefers people who hit hard.
