The postseason is just days away, and while the Los Angeles Dodgers get ready for a run at a third straight title, they might find themselves looking at a familiar face in the opposing dugout.
Mark Bowman, the Atlanta Braves beat writer for MLB.com, said the Atlanta Braves will likely add a third catcher to their roster for the playoffs since Drake Baldwin will probably be the designated hitter.
That third catcher is somebody who’s already filled that role for the Dodgers this season.
A familiar face in Atlanta?
Bowman says that one catcher now in the minors might be called up for the playoffs: Chuckie Robinson.
Dodgers fans will remember Robinson from his stretch behind the dish in June and the early part of July.
He was optioned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets in July and after one day back with the Dodgers in August, he was ultimately released by the Comets in August.
As you might guess, he landed in the Braves’ farm system.
Now, he could find himself back in the big leagues facing off against his former teammates.
Should the Dodgers be worried about Chuckie Robinson?
It’s worth noting that the Dodgers parted ways with Robinson for a reason.
Not only did the catching corps ultimately get healthier with Will Smith’s return, but Hunter Feduccia has proven to be a reliable backup.
While he was with the Dodgers, Robinson did not quite meet that standard.
In his eight games, he had 23 at-bats and managed just two hits, both of them in a 12-3 win against the Minnesota Twins on June 23.
His batting average was .087, as were his on-base percentage and slugging, as he never walked or had an extra base hits.
He did, however, strike out five times.
Back in the minors, Robinson has played much better.
With OKC, he hit .229/.333/.440/.774, and he performed similarly with the Gwinnett Stripers, slashing .229/.316/.333/.649, per Baseball Reference.
Given those numbers, it seems unlikely that Robinson would be a true difference maker for the Braves in the postseason, though it shouldn’t be counted out.
After all, that devastating sweep the Dodgers suffered at the hands of the Braves in August included a walk off hit by Ha-Seong Kim, who hadn’t had a hit in almost three months at that point.
Do you think the Dodgers will see Chuckie Robinson again in the playoffs and, if so, are you worried?
