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Atlanta Braves AAA Affiliate Gwinnett Braves Official Roster and Preview

By Benjamin Chase |
Feb 21, 2017; Disney, FL, USA;Atlanta Braves shortstop Ozzie Albies (left) and shortstop Johan Camargo (right) talk on the bench in a practice following media day for the Atlanta Braves during MLB spring training at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2017; Disney, FL, USA;Atlanta Braves shortstop Ozzie Albies (left) and shortstop Johan Camargo (right) talk on the bench in a practice following media day for the Atlanta Braves during MLB spring training at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 21, 2017; Disney, FL, USA;Atlanta Braves shortstop Ozzie Albies (left) and shortstop Johan Camargo (right) talk on the bench in a practice following media day for the Atlanta Braves during MLB spring training at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2017; Disney, FL, USA;Atlanta Braves shortstop Ozzie Albies (left) and shortstop Johan Camargo (right) talk on the bench in a practice following media day for the Atlanta Braves during MLB spring training at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

The Atlanta Braves use their AAA affiliate, the Gwinnett Braves as a place to hold quick replacements for the major league roster. Could there be team success in Gwinnett as well in 2017?

The Atlanta Braves saw their AAA club in Gwinnett have a very good finish to their 2016 season, and many of the guys who were quite good in Mississippi will be finding their way to Gwinnett to help them be a very entertaining club once again.

Let’s start with the men carrying the timber:

Hitters

Catchers – David Freitas, Blake Lalli

The guess is that Anthony Recker ends up here when the Atlanta Braves go to an 8-man bullpen soon into the season after players get healthy, but it is curious to see just these two listed, especially as the Braves used Lalli less and less at catcher in 2016.

Infielders – Ozzie Albies, Johan Camargo, Sean Kazmar, Kyle Kubitza, Rio Ruiz, Matt Tuiasosopo

I was truly hoping not to see Ruiz at this level, but that’s not to be. He’ll be the guy I’m watching closest as he has really not shown the issue with lefties that he did in 2016 previously. If he can show the ability to handle either hand of pitcher, he could quickly supplant Adonis Garcia at third base.

Albies should just be in Gwinnett until he’s healthy, though I’d love to give him all the time he needs to get 100% after the freak fracture that he suffered last season.

Outfielders – Lane Adams, Xavier Avery, Mel Rojas, Jr., Adam Walker

Dustin Peterson should be here once he’s healthy. Until then, it’s an outfield of guys who are best used as bench guys, and really, Adams, Rojas, and Walker all could provide value to the Braves bench at some point in 2017.

Analysis

The lineup is significantly better than the Gwinnett lineup of 2016. I’ll be intrigued to see how long Albies and Ruiz will be in Gwinnett before moving up to the Atlanta Braves and taking over at the big league level.

It could be very interesting to see how Peterson fits into this lineup and really adds depth to the overall lineup, likely allowing Walker to work as a DH and giving plenty of power overall to the lineup.

Next: Pitchers

Pitchers

Starters

– Aaron Blair, Luke Jackson, Sean Newcomb, Lucas Sims, Matt Wisler

The news that Jackson would be in the starting rotation is odd to say the least, though it would be something the team could absorb with multiple guys who can go multiple innings in the bullpen. I will be interested to see how quickly Wisler or Blair get to Atlanta.

Relievers

– Kevin Chapman, Rhiner Cruz, Joel De La Cruz, Caleb Dirks, Sam Freeman, David Hernandez, Jason Hursh, David Peterson

This group is missing likely member A.J. Minter, who would add a definite star to this group, who certainly are a solid and talented group, but not the type of elite pitcher you’d expect to head a system as deep as Atlanta’s in pitching at the highest level.

It’d not surprise at all if every member of this bullpen got some level of look in the major leagues this season. I’m not saying I expect it, but it would not surprise me in the least!

Analysis

Last season’s Gwinnett team was nowhere near this talented and had a losing record before they made a very impressive playoff run to end up in the International League championship.

This season’s team is significantly better in nearly all aspects. It should be a much better team as far as true prospects are concerned in Gwinnett, though it’s not certain how long everyone will be in Gwinnett before finding their way up to Atlanta.

Next: Braves Minor League Database

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