Who makes the Atlanta Braves postseason roster?
Position Players
There are eight position players that will be discussed when Brian Snitker and Alex Anthopoulos choose who makes the postseason roster.
Each player presents interesting cases that could lead him or her to be chosen for the playoffs.
The first is recently signed Francisco Cervelli, who has played in four postseasons, with the most recent coming in the 2015 NL Wild Card game, where the Pirates lost to the Cubs.
Since being signed by the Braves, Cervelli is 7-for-17, with six extra-base hits.
Cervelli’s playing time has shrunk considerably since Brian McCann returned from the Injured List, but he could prove to be a valuable bat off the bench in the NLDS.
Next was supposed to be Johan Camargo, who was injured in Wednesday night’s game after fouling a ball off his right shin. He was sent to the injured list Friday with a fractured shin.
His recent surge since being recalled from Triple-A makes him a strong postseason candidate. The versatile utility man has gone 5-for-11 with two home runs since being recalled. This comes after a really poor season that led to his demotion, where he slashed .222/.268/.344.
This is big loss for the bench.
Adeiny Hechavarria was picked up for his defense after Camargo struggled to replace Dansby Swanson.
But the journeyman infielder has been decent at the plate, too, slashing .262/.347/.429 with nine runs batted in in 42 at-bats.
Hechavarria’s defensive prowess and speed make him a valuable asset in late-game situations in the postseason.
Similar to Hechavarria, Billy Hamilton came over from the Royals because of his reputation on the base paths and in the field.
Hamilton has gone 6-for-23 at the plate, with three stolen bases, but again, if he makes the team it will be for late-game situations.
Rafael Ortega will forever be remembered for his grand slam off the Dodgers in mid-August, but other than that, it has been a struggle for Ortega.
He has slashed .188/.263/.261 since early August. It would be a long shot if Ortega made the postseason roster.
Adam Duvall’s first 13 games after he was called up from Gwinnett were crazy: .974 OPS, with five home runs and nine runs batted in. In the 15 games since, he has a .556 OPS with one home run and three runs batted in.
Duvall is also a really good defender, so combine that with his power and he makes for an intriguing candidate to make the postseason roster.
Since being recalled from Triple-A, Austin Riley is 1-for-9 with six strikeouts and played both left and right field, to help his potential versatility for the playoffs.
Throw in the valuable experience for Riley, who surely factors into the Atlanta Braves long-term plans and this will be a very difficult decision for the Braves.
Ender Inciarte has said he is optimistic that he will be ready before the end of the season, which would give him a chance at making the postseason roster.
After coming back from his back injury in July, Inciarte has slashed .293/.411/.520 with 14 walks and 10 extra-base hits in 75 at-bats.
If Inciarte proves to be healthy, that takes a spot away from one of the players mentioned before.
Prediction (assuming Inciarte is not ready)
Starters: Joyce, Acuna, Markakis, Freeman, Albies, Swanson, Donaldson, McCann
Bench: Cervelli, Flowers, Culberson Hechavarria, Hamilton, Duvall