<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LFh5I9oXCEkaJE9z7dAtOB9Sh8g=/0x0:6036x4024/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73805338/DSC_1807.0.jpg">
Credit: Garrett Spain - Battery Power
David is looking for a big 2025 season to offset a frustrating 2024 How Acquired
David was the Atlanta Braves 4th round draft pick back in the 2022 MLB draft.
Preseason Report Card
Heading into the season David was a bit of a mystery as he was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Despite not being a pitcher, the timeline for Tommy John surgery is still lengthy, and considering he had the surgery back in February there were not many expectations for him to return to the field at all in 2024. Reports began coming out that David’s rehab was coming along faster than expected and he did return to the field at the end of July.
What We Saw in 2024
Expectations were quite low for David so any kind of production on the field was sort of the cherry on top. Unfortunately there was not much production upon his return as McCabe would go on to hit .137/.284/.214 across 35 games for the Mississippi Braves. While the walk rate remained outstanding, sitting at 17%, he hit for virtually no power at all as he collected a total of five extra-base hits.
David was drafted as a third baseman, but as anyone can imagine, he did not play the field at all in 2024 due to the surgery. He has yet to show the defensive upside that makes you think he will stay at third base so a move to first seems to be imminent. With that said, a return to form at the plate is absolutely necessary. As such, the Braves elected to have David go to the Arizona Fall League to get more at bats and across 10 games David would hit .231/.302/.282, once again showing a great appreciation of the zone but an inability to make consistent, hard contact.
DAVID MCCABE! KISS IT GOODBYE! It's 1-0 M-Braves after this 419-foot blast all the way to Pascagoula! pic.twitter.com/rTHTYZnuMf— Mississippi Braves (@mbraves) September 14, 2024
2025 Outlook
2025 is a massive year for David as he will be Rule 5 eligible. He absolutely needs to show the promise at the plate that lead him to being drafted in 2022 otherwise it will be hard to see him staying in the organization. A return to third base, defensively, would be huge for his value but he also has to show improved range and footwork to stay at the position. 2025 is pivotal for the Braves 4th round draft pick.
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LFh5I9oXCEkaJE9z7dAtOB9Sh8g=/0x0:6036x4024/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73805338/DSC_1807.0.jpg">
Credit: Garrett Spain - Battery Power
David is looking for a big 2025 season to offset a frustrating 2024 How Acquired
David was the Atlanta Braves 4th round draft pick back in the 2022 MLB draft.
Preseason Report Card
Heading into the season David was a bit of a mystery as he was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Despite not being a pitcher, the timeline for Tommy John surgery is still lengthy, and considering he had the surgery back in February there were not many expectations for him to return to the field at all in 2024. Reports began coming out that David’s rehab was coming along faster than expected and he did return to the field at the end of July.
What We Saw in 2024
Expectations were quite low for David so any kind of production on the field was sort of the cherry on top. Unfortunately there was not much production upon his return as McCabe would go on to hit .137/.284/.214 across 35 games for the Mississippi Braves. While the walk rate remained outstanding, sitting at 17%, he hit for virtually no power at all as he collected a total of five extra-base hits.
David was drafted as a third baseman, but as anyone can imagine, he did not play the field at all in 2024 due to the surgery. He has yet to show the defensive upside that makes you think he will stay at third base so a move to first seems to be imminent. With that said, a return to form at the plate is absolutely necessary. As such, the Braves elected to have David go to the Arizona Fall League to get more at bats and across 10 games David would hit .231/.302/.282, once again showing a great appreciation of the zone but an inability to make consistent, hard contact.
DAVID MCCABE! KISS IT GOODBYE! It's 1-0 M-Braves after this 419-foot blast all the way to Pascagoula! pic.twitter.com/rTHTYZnuMf— Mississippi Braves (@mbraves) September 14, 2024
2025 Outlook
2025 is a massive year for David as he will be Rule 5 eligible. He absolutely needs to show the promise at the plate that lead him to being drafted in 2022 otherwise it will be hard to see him staying in the organization. A return to third base, defensively, would be huge for his value but he also has to show improved range and footwork to stay at the position. 2025 is pivotal for the Braves 4th round draft pick.
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