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Atlanta Braves announce 2019 rotation and projected lineup

By Fred Owens

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 22: Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with champagne after clinching the NL East Division against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 22: Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates with champagne after clinching the NL East Division against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves utility man Johan Camargo appears to be first choice for the fourth outfielder role in 2019. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

The fourth outfielder

Duvall has yet to look like the player the Braves thought they were getting. Trading for a slumping player is always a risk, and he had red flags popping up as far back as the second half of 2017.

In the second half of 2017, Duvall’s homer and XBH rate dropped 50  percent, and he managed a puny  .212/.277/.385/.662 line that included 81 strikeouts in 260 AB.

He started last season in a slump and never pulled out of it. His saving grace came in the form of 15 homers and 19 doubles before the trade. After the trade, he vanished. Duvall’s remaining option year give him a chance to fix things at Gwinnett.

No one’s said who fills the fourth outfield role, but based on use this spring Johan Camargo looks like the favorite to get the most innings when the season begins.

Atlanta Braves Rotation

The team announced the rotation for the opening series in Philadelphia and the home opener with the Cubs.

We already knew Julio Teheran would get game one, the surprises started after that.

Instead of Sean Newcomb and Kevin Gausman, the Phillies face Bryse Wilson followed by Kyle Wright introducing himself to the country on Sunday Night Baseball.

Gausman’s omission isn’t a real surprise either; he’s had shoulder issues this spring and is still at least one start away from being ready to go 100 pitches or more.

He threw 77 pitches Sunday in 3 1/3 innings allowing three hits while striking out five and walking three. The Braves are set to place him on the injured list tomorrow to free up a roster spot.

Newcomb gets pushed back to the fourth starter slot because the Braves wanted to start three right-handers against the Phillies.

Hello Cubbies

After Newcomb in game one against the Cubs, Julio returns for game two, and Max Fried steps in for game six. The Braves penciled Gausman in to start the first game against the Marlins.

The Rotation so far:

  • Teheran (rhp)
  • Wilson (rhp)
  • Wright (rhp)
  • Newcomb (lhp)
  • Teheran
  • Fried (lhp)
  • Gausman (rhp)
  • ???

Where they go after that’s an unanswered question, slotting Gausman in after Fried gives the Braves time to react if the shoulder acts up.

Eventually, either Wilson or Fried looks most likely to fall out, but should Newcomb’s control issues continue they have the arms already available to step in.

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