Albies fractured a bone in his right elbow during a playoff in September and wasn't cleared to resume playing until early March. He was sent to minor league camp March 21, and at the time, Braves general manager John Coppolella said, "Ozzie is a very special talent and person. … We expect him to be here soon and for a very long time. "

In an interview a few days later with AJC Braves beat writer David O'Brien, Coppolella said of Albies, "Ozzie is a special kid with a really bright future, and when he is ready to help us in the major leagues, nobody is going to stand in his way. "

If Albies, who turned 20 on Jan. 7, keeps up this pace, he could soon force Coppolella to make a decision about clearing the way for the youngster to have a spot in the big leagues.