Braves Shuffle Roster: Hicklen In, Jarvis Out
The Atlanta Braves announced a roster move on Monday afternoon, recalling outfielder Brewer Hicklen from Triple-A and optioning infielder Jim Jarvis to Gwinnett, according to multiple reports. Hicklen, a Huntsville native and former UAB standout, has played four seasons in the majors with four different clubs, including the Milwaukee Brewers and Detroit Tigers. In eight games with the Braves this season, he has hit .368 with seven hits and three RBIs.
Hicklen was added to the active roster for the Little League Classic on Sunday as the extra player but did not see action in the game. The Braves and Milwaukee Brewers were set to play in the annual event on Sunday evening, with Atlanta looking to avoid being swept.
Over 93 Triple-A games, Hicklen is batting .302 with an .893 OPS, 18 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases, per Sports Illustrated. In his brief major league stint this season, he went 7-for-19 with four walks. Hicklen has more success against right-handers, so he will likely see most of his action against right-handed pitching.
Jarvis, in his rookie season, was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett after a promising start to his latest major league stint. He batted .270 with a .740 OPS in his first 24 games, but his production dropped sharply, hitting .079 with a .225 OPS over the following 14 games, according to Sports Illustrated. In 38 games with Atlanta this season, Jarvis recorded one home run, one triple, five doubles, 11 RBI, and a .207 batting average, per Newsweek. In Triple-A, he has posted a .313 average with six home runs, 20 doubles, and 36 RBI in 76 games.
The roster decision was influenced by the Braves' commitment to keeping Ha-Seong Kim, even though he has not been playing much, according to Sports Illustrated. Mauricio Dubon is expected to return to shortstop, taking over the position Jarvis had been filling.
Ha-Seong Kim's Limited Role Draws Attention
Ha-Seong Kim was left out of the batting order for the Little League Classic, a decision that turned heads on social media. Kim has received just four at-bats since being activated off the injured list in early August, going 0-for-4, as reported by Heavy. His season stats include a .066 batting average, a .230 OPS, an OPS+ of -33, five hits in 76 at-bats, no extra-base hits, and a bWAR of -1.0 over 31 games.
Fans and analysts voiced their opinions on the handling of Kim's playing time. One notable reaction came from @CrosbyBaseball, who suggested that if the Braves are not going to play Kim, adding a player like Luke Williams would be more useful, providing both a slugger and a bullpen arm without a trade. Another user, @missterrysbtch, expressed a view that the Braves should trade Kim, though the full context of that comment was not available.
Mauricio Dubon started at shortstop in the Little League Classic game, according to Heavy.
The Braves begin a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Atlanta on Tuesday, Aug. 25, as noted by al.com.