Cristian Pache is off to a pretty slow start this spring, recording just two hits in 11 at-bats, but that doesn’t make his decision to rock the #25 any less exciting. He took to Instagram to thank one of his mentors, Andruw Jones, and show off the new number, which he wore in Wednesday’s game against the Red Sox.
If it were anyone else, I might have a problem. However, given that nearly everyone’s pro-comp for Pache is Andruw Jones, it only seems fitting. Pache has 80-grade fielding and an 80-grade arm. Many already believe he is the best defensive centerfielder in baseball, and he hasn’t even played ten major-league games.
Of course, Jones is undoubtedly the best defensive centerfielder of all-time, winning a ridiculous ten-straight Gold Gloves from 1998-2007. He also racked up 434 home runs and 62.7 WAR over his career. There is no doubt in my mind that Jones is deserving of the Hall-of-Fame, and I believe he will eventually get the nod. I also think there’s an excellent case for his number to be retired by the Braves; however, if Pache has his blessing, which I’m sure he does, this makes too much sense not to happen. Perhaps, 20 years from now, the #25 will be retired for the two best players to ever man centerfield in Atlanta.
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