Atlanta Braves News: Eli White is hitting a clean 1.000 for the spring with a 2.000 OPS, after going 3-3 in Bradenton against the Pirates on Tuesday. He is now 4-4 in five plate appearances in the spring.

White has been playing second base this spring in what appears to be an attempt by the Braves to see if White can be a super utility player. He has spent most of his career showing off his speed in the outfield.

Eli White Could be an Option in RF Until Acuna Returns

If White can prove to be a consistent bat, he could be in the mix to get playing time in right field until Ronald Acuna Jr. is ready to return to the lineup in the first couple of months of the season. The Braves already have Jarred Kelenic and brought in Bryan De La Cruz, but Eli White could carve out a role by outperforming the others. Kelenic’s career OPS+ is 86 and De La Cruz is 90.

Eli White’s Career OPS+ is even worse at 58. However, White only has 447 career plate appearances. He joined Atlanta in 2023. Last season, he played 35 games with the big league club and posted a 113 OPS+.

Eli White Brings Speed to Atlanta Braves

If White plays the super-utility role, he could be available to give guys days off in the outfield and the infield. The Braves could also benefit from having his speed available off the bench or on any given day. Without Acuna last year, the Braves didn’t offer much on the basepaths.

White stole 24 bases in Gwinnett last season in just 79 games while slashing .294/.388/.447.