Atlanta just sent infielder Jim Jarvis packing, optioning him to Triple-A Gwinnett and recalling outfielder Brewer Hicklen to the big league roster. This move isn’t just a simple roster shuffle, it’s a blaring siren for the Braves’ almost comical, long-running shortstop nightmare. Since 2024, these guys have been dead last in shortstop fWAR with a measly 1.3 across 1673 plate appearances. Seriously, the 29th-place team, those Colorado Rockies, have more than double Atlanta’s production at 2.7. It’s truly a brutal scene at short for the Braves.
From “Fun Guy” to Absolute Disaster
Remember Jim Jarvis? He was supposed to be the latest answer, a fun story who came over in a non-return for Rafael Montero last year. He ripped it up in the minors and then in July, he even put up a decent 111 wRC+ for the big league club. His inputs were solid too, clocking in a .336 wOBA and a .308 xwOBA. Fans were probably feeling pretty good, right? But then the calendar flipped to August, and everything just fell apart. In 42 August plate appearances, Jarvis posted a jaw-dropping -36 wRC+. Yes, you read that right, a negative sign! His xwOBA plummeted to a pathetic .208. Sure, he was underhitting it by almost .100, but a .208 xwOBA? That’s just beyond bad. Add in some defensive “goofs” on plays that should have been routine, and his total big league line after 124 plate appearances settled at a 56 wRC+ and a -0.1 fWAR. This wasn’t just a slump; it was a total meltdown.
What’s Next For This Never-Ending Saga?
So, what’s the plan now that Jarvis is gone? It looks like Mauricio Dubon is probably going to get a longer run at shortstop. The Braves are also apparently toying with the idea of giving Ha-Seong Kim some playing time, but that seems like a risky proposition, especially if they’re actually worried about their recent slump eating away at their division odds. If they care, Kim might be too much of a gamble. If they don’t, well, that’s just hilarious for all the wrong reasons. It’s not like Dubon is tearing it up either; he’s been running on like eight weeks with an xwOBA under .300. It’s in the .280ish range, a guy just having a bad time, but it’s still miles better than Jarvis’s absolute desolation approaching .200. At least there’s some good news for Brewer Hicklen, who’s back in the majors after crushing International League pitching with a 130 wRC+ at Triple-A Gwinnett. He hit incredibly well in his 23 plate appearances before the All-Star Break, so maybe he can actually, you know, hit.
The Braves have dug themselves a huge hole at shortstop, and Jarvis’s departure just highlights how deep it is. With their division odds taking a hit, they better figure this out fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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