The first set of ‘casualties’ has been made as the Atlanta Braves trim down the size of the major league camp contingent.
Via press release, the Atlanta Braves have announced those who will continue their Florida work from the minor league camp.
#Braves trim Spring Training roster: pic.twitter.com/gUcNgvIH04
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 6, 2020
For those who may not be able to read this directly from some browsers, here’s the full list:
- PITCHERS
- Jasseel De La Cruz*
- Jacob Webb*
- Bryse Wilson*
- Huascar Ynoa*
- Thomas Burrows
- Kurt Hoekstra
- Connor Johnstone
- Kyle Muller
- POSITION PLAYERS
- Bryce Ball
- Trey Harris
- Greyson Jenista
- Carlos Martinez
- Braden Shewmake
* Noted as ‘optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett at this time.
As previously noted, this list isn’t necessarily a reflection about performance or future outlook: it’s much more about the reality that the presumptive major league players will be getting more and more playing time over the remaining 3 weeks in Florida, and thus would squeeze out those ultimately destined for the minors.
Of this group, perhaps the only surprising name for many is that of Bryse Wilson. Coming into last season, Wilson was not only still hanging around at the end, he actually (technically) made the rotation thanks to injuries and slow progress from others during the Spring.
At this point, however, he’s definitely dropping in the ‘pecking order’ of pitchers, and thus will have more mound time available to him in the minor league camp.
Still – it has to be said that this is indeed an early exit for Wilson, and in this case it does appear to be performance-related: just 3 outings and 5.1 innings, but in those chances he was clearly not himself. Just 2 strikeouts and 2 walks, but 8 hits and 5 earned runs were allowed. A WHIP of 1.88 also tells a large part of his story.
Equally telling is that Ian Anderson is among those who will continue to get a longer look. So too is Kyle Wright who will get the ball to start today’s contest as part of a lineup that has a strong almost-opening-day look to it (though Ender Inciarte is getting the day off).
These cuts don’t mean that we won’t see these players again… a few will get cameo appearances in the remaining ‘A games’, which still leaves the hope that we’ll get to see Bryce Ball hit some more.
It also makes me personally excited to see the Mississippi Braves this season… that might be a fun team to watch given some of the names presumed headed to Pearl.