Pastornicky Making Case for Braves Bench Job

Could Braves Manager Fredi Gonzalez tab Tyler Pastornicky for a bench spot?

Conventional wisdom is that Evan Gattis, Jordan Schafer, or Jose Constanza, will win the fifth spot on the Braves bench.  Gattis has tremendous power, Schafer has speed and can play all three outfield positions, and Constanza has proven that he can be productive in the major leagues.

But with the multiple position capability of Martin Prado no longer on the roster, could Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez opt to take Tyler Pastornicky north with him when spring training ends?

After losing the starting shortstop job to Andrelton Simmons last season, Pastornicky assumed an infield utility role on the Braves bench.  This spring he has also played the outfield, and third base in a limited role is something he could probably handle.

Pastornicky continued to make his case, as he smashed a three run homer Thursday against the Phillies, and went 2 for 5 with 4 RBIs.  He is hitting .333 on the spring with a .385 on-base-percentage and .583 slugging percentage.

Braves vs Nationals

Julio Teheran, who is vying for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, makes his second start of the spring Friday night at 6:05 against the Nationals.  Teheran gave up no runs in two innings of work in his initial outing.