Atlanta Braves Spring Training Invitations Have Been Mailed

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Position Players

None of these really has a shot at the major league club at this time… but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see them play!

C WILLIANS ASTUDILLO. He’s the enigma. He hits… and that’s about it. I want to see if he can do anything else – I expect the major league coaches want to see that first-hand, as well.
C MATT KENNELLY, C RYAN LAVARNWAY, C JOE ODOM, C BRAEDEN SCHLEHUBER. I hate to lump all of these guys together, but the fact is this: you need a ton of catchers every Spring, so it’s all hands on deck. Assuming Pierzynski and Flowers are injury-free, though, these are your AA and AAA catchers. Notable absence from this list? Chris O’Dowd, who was invited last year… and PED’d himself out of favor.

SS OZZIE ALBIES. #3 prospect. We want to see this kid play. We want to see if he can hit some major league pitching, too. We really do. He turned 19 on Thursday… all 5’9″ of him.

More from Tomahawk Take

SS REID BRIGNAC. Likely destined for AAA, but he’s a possible call-up if Erick Aybar gets hurt. Or traded.
3B/SS CHASE d’ARNAUD. Will be 29 in a couple of weeks. Chase made the majors for cups of coffee with the Pirates (2011-12, -14) and Phillies (2015). Brother of Travis d’Arnaud of the Mets. Doesn’t hit much; average fielder. Likely heading to AAA.
1B NATE FREIMAN. Weird how many of these guys have birthdays within the 3 weeks before or after today. Freiman is 29 and plays first base, most recently with the Oakland A’s (2013-14, though AAA with them in 2015). Could eventually be a bench bat option or backup … behind the other Freeman. Here’s hoping that Freddie’s wrist is solid.
3B RIO RUIZ. #12-ranked MLB prospect. Still learning the third base position, but there is potential to continue to see improvement in his defense while showing gap power. Scouts seem to think the power will continue to develop. Had a bad hitting year at AA and likely will get another shot there to see if he can improve on that before being challenged further.
SS DANSBY SWANSON. I still can’t believe the Braves have this guy, the new #1 prospect and first overall draft pick… from 2015! Everything about him oozes character, and though he might never turn into a ‘star’, he could very well be a team captain-like presence in the future. Let’s see in 2016 just how far/fast he can advance.
OF BRAXTON DAVIDSON. Frank Wren’s last first round pick (32nd overall), Davidson is still just 19-½, so it’s way too early to require him to have a make-or-break season. It would be nice to see a few things in 2016, though, such as fewer strikeouts and a more aggressive approach (17% walks, 27% Ks). Could start at Carolina.
OF MATT TUIASOSOPO. Will be 30 this season and has broached the majors 3 times: 2008, 2009, and 2013. I expect the Braves would like to see what they’ve got in Tuiasosopo, but he’ll go to AAA.

Next: Give us a Woot! One More Pitcher!

That’s the group: of these 27, I believe Carpenter, Chacin, and Ogando have the best chances of breaking into the Opening Day 25… but many of the pitchers in that list could be seen at some point in 2016.

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