Beloved former SF Giants outfielder is making a great first impression with new team

Former SF Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski was polarizing amongst fans at times during his tenure in San Francisco since many believed he should have been more productive on offense. But the majority of fans loved Yaz for the way he played the game and conducted himself. He is now off to an amazing start in spring training with his new team the Atlanta Braves.

He has played in just five exhibition games for Atlanta down in Florida, but he seems to be liking the Grapefruit League thus far. He swatted a homer in his very first plate appearance with the Braves and then just a few days ago he hit two home runs against the Boston Red Sox, an organization he will always be tied to because of his grandfather Carl Yastrzemski.

Mike Yastrzemski appears to be very comfortable in new home with Atlanta

In total, Yastrzemski has six hits in 10 at-bats including those three home runs so he seems to like that balmy Florida air which is certainly a change of pace from the dry heat of Arizona that he is typically accustomed to in spring training after all those years with the Giants.

San Francisco traded Yastrzemski to the Kansas City Royals last season and he got off to a very fast start there as well. His offensive numbers improved with Kansas City and he had nine home runs in 50 games with the Royals which was one more than he had in 96 games with the Giants. It definitely seems like he is going to benefit from playing in a park that is not as unforgiving for left-handed hitters.

The Braves gave him a two-year, $23 million deal in the offseason which could end up looking like a bargain if the veteran has a strong year. While Yastrzemski usually averaged 15 to 20 homers per year with the Giants, it wouldn't be a shock if he hit 25 to 30 now that he's in a more hitter-friendly park.

Yastrzemski always did it the right way with the Giants so he is still going to have a lot of people in San Francisco pulling for him. He may even hear from an old friend soon in Jung Hoo Lee who said he plans to reach out to Yastrzemski for some pointers on how to play right field at Oracle Park.

It's just spring training, but if Yaz's hot start is an indication of what is to come the Braves may have made a very smart move by signing him.