Braves Promote Top Prospect to Replace Injured Ozzie Albies

The Atlanta Braves acted quickly after getting an injury update on second-baseman Ozzie Albies.

Atlanta Braves infielder Nacho Alvarez is the top non-pitching prospect in the Braves' system. / Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves are expected to call up shortstop prospect Nacho Alvarez on Monday. He would come in to replace Ozzie Albies at second base, Braves MLB dot com beat writer Mark Bowman reported. 

The Braves are expected to bring Nacho Alvarez up to replace Ozzie Albies (left wrist) tomorrow. Alvarez has primarily played short, but his athleticism and instincts should allow him to make a quick transition to the second base position

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 21, 2024

This is Alavarez’s first Major League call-up. His only appearances with the Braves to this point have been during Spring Training. 

Alvarez has played zero games at second base in his professional career. He has played some third base, but that’s it. 

However, Bowman added that Alvarez’s “athleticism and instincts should allow him to make a quick transition to the second base position.” 

After losing a key player to the Injured List, might as well find out if that’s the case. 

Alvarez has shown some major offensive upsides in Triple-A. In 28 games with Gwinnett, Alvarez is batting .336 with a 1.007 OPS, seven home runs and 24 RBIs. It’s not a large sample size, but the Braves are going to take it and run with it. 

Alvarez is the Braves’ No. 5 prospect and their highest-ranked position player prospect. If he’s able to contribute, perhaps he’ll earn a long-term spot on the Braves and potentially save the team a need for an additional trade at the deadline. 

Albies Expected to Miss Eight Weeks 

The Braves could be expecting to utilize Alvarez for an extended period of time. Following X-rays, it was revealed that Albies suffered a left wrist fracture. He will miss the next eight weeks. 

Ozzie Albies today underwent X-rays that revealed a left wrist fracture. He is expected to miss approximately eight weeks.

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 21, 2024

Albies exited Sunday’s 6-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth inning after Albies attempted to tag out Cardinals centerfielder Michael Siani. 

Ozzie Albies exits today's game against the Cardinals in the ninth inning following this play at second base ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/kANpteaAlz

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) July 21, 2024

Injury bugs continue to bite the Braves roster today, let alone this season. Albies is the second player to head to the Injured List on Sunday after the announcement that starting pitcher Max Fried had left forearm neuritis.