During the Atlanta Braves’ 2023 spring training, one of the most intense position fights was at shortstop. Which player would Atlanta pick to replace veteran defensive mainstay Dansby Swanson? It was widely believed that Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake were competing for the position, but Atlanta zigzagged and awarded the job to Orlando Arcia, Swanson’s backup.

Not to mention, only a few days before the regular season began, Arcia signed a three-year contract deal worth a total of $7.3 million.

Not everyone is persuaded now that Arcia has been in the position for a season.

Arcia’s surface-level stats from 2023 seemingly paint a rosy picture: He batted .264 with 17 homers and was an All-Star, despite missing a few weeks with a microfracture in his wrist after being hit by a pitch early in the season.

However, further investigation raises significant concerns about Arcia’s long-term suitability for the position. He had a scorching start to the season, but from August 11 to the conclusion, he batted just.191, with more strikeouts (35) than hits (31). Arcia was overperforming early in the season according to most of his offensive metrics, which included his expected stats as well as the inputs (exit velocity, chase rate, etc.) that translate into statistical performance. In the end, Arcia was a talented defender with a dubious bat that struggled to hit righties for power (.375 slug) (.255 batting average).

Not to mention, only a few days before the regular season began, Arcia signed a three-year contract deal worth a total of $7.3 million.

Right now,after that first season with Arcia in the job, not everyone’s convinced.

Then there was the move: at the trade deadline, Atlanta acquired gifted defender Nicky Lopez from the Kansas City Royals.

Could Lopez take Arcia’s place in Atlanta?

Actually, this is two questions. since the true question is, “Is this who Orlando Arcia really is?” along with “Can the Braves fix Nicky Lopez?”