Braves fans: Get to know your new and intimidating slugger, Bartolo Colon
According to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, the Braves are close to making their second splashy free-agent signing this week. One day after bolstering their rotation by signing R.A. Dickey to a one-year deal, Atlanta has filled a hole in its lineup by picking up renowned slugger Bartolo Colon.
Yes, Colon is a five-tool player who excels in nearly every facet of the game. But he is, perhaps first and foremost, a dominating presence at the plate.
Braves fans need look no further than the Mets' victory over the Padres on May 7 this season, which featured what many consider to be the home run of the season:
That was, if you can believe it, the first homer of Colon's career. It just shows how the 43-year-old has blossomed into a true lineup threat -- Colon also drew the first walk of his career this season, after an MLB-record 281 plate appearances:
But he's not just a dingers-and-walks kind of hitter -- he can beat you any number of ways. Colon also hit three (!) doubles over the past two seasons with the Mets:
And a 108.4-mph line drive off of the Marlins' Justin Nicolino this season:
With 13 hits and six RBIs over the past two years, Colon could be just the kind of run producer the Braves have been looking for.
Oh, and with a 3.43 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 2016, he should be pretty good on the mound, too.