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Atlanta Braves low-A Affiliate Rome Braves Official Roster and Preview

By Benjamin Chase

Mar 31, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of SunTrust Park during a game between the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves in the first inning. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of SunTrust Park during a game between the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves in the first inning. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pitchers

Starters – Ian Anderson, Ryan Lawlor, Jeremy Walker, Joey Wentz, Bryse Wilson

The names for this rotation will likely change by mid-May as Kyle Muller will likely be on the Kolby Allard track this season in timing, opening in extended spring, but only until he shows he’s ready for Rome, and then he’ll be there, replacing Lawlor, who showed fairly well out of the bullpen in 2016, but is probably an org guy.

Relievers – Thomas Burrows, Oriel Caicedo, Matt Custred, Tucker Davidson, Jon Kennedy, Bladimir Matos, Adam McCreery, Brandon White

After what is a dynamic rotation, this could be one of the more “meh” bullpens of the minor leagues for the Braves. There were a few players that could have been promoted and weren’t, and a number of guys who I had figured on coming to Rome ended up skipped over Rome to other levels.

Kennedy is a guy who I really like, and he and McCreery make an impressive towering lefty combo (both are 6’8″+) out of the bullpen. Burrows is another left that was a very nice piece in the trade that also netted power lefty Luiz Gohara.

Analysis

This pitching staff seems to rely heavily on the starters to get good innings as there aren’t a lot of relievers here that I’d expect to go 2-3 innings in a setting beyond Oriel Caicedo. That said, Rome is frequently the one spot where players are shuffled in and out for the bullpen from extended spring, so it would not surprise in the least if any issue with over-extended bullpen is solved through sending a few guys to Danville or extended to bring up another player.

The lineup will be interesting as you’ll have some young bats with plenty of volatility, but there is plenty of upside to be found as well with guys like Yepez, Cruz, Ventura, Pache, and even the catchers.

Next: Braves Minor League Database

Anyone you think should have been on a roster, but missed? Comment below!

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