Braves' Albies well aware of hype surrounding potential future with Swanson
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- They sat side by side in the Braves clubhouse, the Curacao Kid chatting up another product of the island.
"Even now," prospect Ozzie Albies noted Sunday morning as newly-minted franchise Hall of Famer Andruw Jones walked off. "He's everything there."
The 10-time Gold Glove winner is the most accomplished player of the 14 major league players that Curacao has produced, a list that includes Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons, Dodgers reliever Kenley Jansen, Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar and Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop.
Just 19, Albies will join that list sooner or later. Atlanta general manager John Coppolella is subscribing to the former, leaving open the possibility that it could be as soon as this season for the 5-foot-9 switch-hitting shortstop, who is the organization's third-ranked prospect on FOXSportsSouth.com's Top 20 prospects composite rankings.
Of course, there would be some symmetry there, given that Jones made his own Braves debut in 1996. But for now, Albies is simply soaking in this, his second major league camp.
"I feel a little bit more comfortable ... getting good experience in," Albies said.
Comfortable, though slightly cramped, as the Braves have 70 players at spring training, including an MLB-high 30 non-roster invitees, of which Albies is one of. Being jam-packed means sharing space, and in a fitting move considering the place they hold as the franchise's potential double-play tandem of the future, Albies is lockermates with Dansby Swanson.
"We get along really well, me and Dansby, and its' a good time," Albies said.
It's not a point that they have openly discussed, but there's no question they have a sense that putting them together this spring is with an eye on their one day teaming up in Atlanta.
"It feels like it," Albies said. "(We have to) just work hard to be ready for it."
Both being shortstops, there's going to come a point when one moves to second base, but for now both are continuing to play at the same position. With expected starter Erick Aybar in the locker next to theirs, Albies is taking advantage of the lessons the veteran -- who as a Gold Glove on his resume -- is offering.
"When we turn double plays, he told me to open my legs a little bit more, stay down for bad hops," Albies said. "You can move; make the play."
Coppolella's mention of Albies potentially making his first appearance in Atlanta as soon as this season -- which came the night Simmons was dealt to the Angels -- may seem rushed. Along with his age, he hasn't played above low Single-A, though he did .310/.368/.404 in Rome last season.
Albies trails only Swanson and left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb in the hierarchy of Atlanta's prospects. Both of those players were acquired in an offseason after which the organization boasts what is considered the majors' best farm system.
It's an upgrade that Albies certainly took notice of.
"Things are getting better here ... The Braves are all about the farm system and it's nice to have some new guys that are talented."
Follow Cory McCartney on Twitter @coryjmccartney and Facebook. His book, 'Tales from the Atlanta Braves Dugout: A Collection of the Greatest Braves Stories Ever Told,' comes out April 12, 2016.
