LISTEN: High Praise For This Braves Starter

Atlanta Braves starting shortstop Orlando Arcia is drawing high praise around baseball, with former Major League Baseball general manager Steve Phillips saying "he's the guy right now" on SiriusXM. Arcia was signed to a contract extension earlier this spring after beating out Vaughn Grissom for the starting job.

After beating out Vaughn Grissom in the spring for the starting shortstop job and securing a contract extension earlier this spring, Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia is earning high praise from around baseball.

The @Braves showed their confidence in Orlando Arcia with a contract extension on Opening Day.@StevePhillipsGM says that is already paying dividends.#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/U2InGYZnX2

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) April 7, 2023

Former general manager Steve Phillips lauded praise on him on Friday on MLB Network Radio, following Arcia's walk-off hit on Thursday against the Padres.

"There's something about confidence that when somebody tells you that 'you're our guy' and then they pay you to show that you you're their guy, then you feel like the guy and you go out there and play like the guy. And he's the guy right now in Atlanta."

He's entering his eighth Major League season. He spent parts of six years with the Brewers and has spent the last year and a half with the Braves. This will be year three in Atlanta.

Arcia is a career .243 hitter who is coming off a season in which he hit .244. He hit nine home runs and posted 30 RBIs in 2022. He's off to a .370 start this season with two home runs and four RBI.

As part of his new contract, he will make $2.3 million this year, and $2 million in each of 2024 and 2025. Reports indicate that the 2026 option is also for $2 million and comes with a $1 million buyout.

He will now be under team control through age 31.

The Braves continue their weekend against the Padres on Friday night at 7:20 p.m. ET.

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