Atlanta Braves 2020 Roster Prediction Halfway Through Spring Training

Catchers

This is a pretty obvious category for the Braves. They signed Travis d’Arnaud to a big two-year, $16 million contract in the offseason to be their primary catcher.

I’ve heard great things about him during spring training — you don’t typically hear bad things about someone in spring training. But it sounds like he’s getting along well with all the pitchers and they like throwing to him.

My biggest concern is his health. I’ll be pleased — and mildly shocked — if he starts 120 games behind the plate for Atlanta in 2020.

If he does then I think we get a quality, veteran catcher who can hit .260-.270 with 15-20 home runs.

I’ve been very hard on Tyler Flowers in the past, and for very good reason. I think he’s overrated as a defensive catcher, and lately he’s given us very little at the plate.

Having said that, if he’s used in an actual back-up role in 2020 then I think he can very a good back-up catcher.

Flowers is obviously very familiar with the pitching staff and will be a big part of the Braves’ catching tandem in 2020.

Others

Alex Jackson is likely next in line if something were to happen to d’Aranaud or Flowers.

But maybe the biggest revelation in spring training has been 2019 first-round draft pick Shea Langeliers. We all knew he had the glove and arm to be a big league catcher, which he’s shown off in spring training, but he’s also been killing it with the bat.

I still think it’s unlikely we see him in 2020, but if he starts the year at Double-A like I’m expecting and continues to hit like he has this spring, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him get a September call-up.