Terdoslavich looking for a home in Atlanta

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- When Joey Terdoslavich reported to his first big league camp last year, he was being touted as a candidate to replace Chipper Jones as Atlanta's starting third baseman. Now, he is a former third baseman attempting to learn how to play the outfield and prove his bat can carry him to the Majors.

Terdoslavich garnered some attention on Friday when his ninth-inning home run accounted for the only run the Braves scored in a 2-1 loss to the Tigers at Champion Stadium. The homer was one of just six hits totaled by the hosts in their Grapefruit League opener.

The Braves were held hitless until Freddie Freeman opened the fifth inning with a single. It appeared they might be destined for a shutout loss before Terdoslavich took Jose Alvarez deep over the left field wall.

Terdoslavich hit 20 home runs while playing for Class A Advanced Lynchburg in 2011, but he struggled after the Braves opted to allow him to make the jump to Triple-A Gwinnett at the start of last year. After two months of frustration defensively and offensively, he was sent to Double-A Mississippi, where he hit .315 with five home runs and a .852 OPS.

While at Mississippi, Terdoslavich played just six games at third base. The decision to move him across the diamond to first base seemed to reduce some stress and focus on his offensive approach. Now, he will increase his defensive options by learning to play the outfield.