Atlanta Braves Non-Roster Invites: Who Has a Shot?
The Atlanta Braves invited 25 non-roster invitees to major league spring training. Out of the 25 invited, who has a shot to make the team on opening day?
It was announced that the Atlanta Braves will invite 25 non-roster players to major league spring training. In this article, we will look at the guys that may have a shot to find themselves on the major league roster come opening day.
#Braves Announce 2021 Non-Roster Spring Training Invites: pic.twitter.com/bmP23DDSwG
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) February 15, 2021
Obviously most everyone on this list will be left off the opening day roster. That is just the unfortunate truth.
Some of the top prospects will be left off because there is no reason to start their service time with them on the bench or in the major league bullpen.
There is really only a few on this list that have a shot to actually make a roster.
We can go ahead and eliminate a few.
Drew Waters, Shea Langeliers, Braden Shewmake, Bryce Ball, CJ Alexander, Justin Dean, Michael Harris, Trey Harris, Freddy Tarnok, Victor Vodnik, William Woods, Daysbel Hernández, Logan Brown, Connor Johnstone, Nolan Kingham, and Jonathan Morales.
Unfortunately for these guys, I just do not see them breaking camp with the team. It is not because they are not talented though, some are probably more talented than guys that will be on the major league bench. It is just unlikely the Braves rush these guys to the majors when they can have more of a full-time role in the minors.
These players could see Atlanta within the next year but are best served to begin the year in the minors and continue to develop.
Then there are a few guys that are career minor leaguers and organizational depth at this point in their careers.
Let us take a look at guys who have a small shot at breaking camp with the team, starting with the pitchers.
Bullpen Help?
The Braves did lose a few members from last year’s bullpen. Mark Melancon is now with the San Diego Padres and Shane Greene remains unsigned.
Meaning there is potentially an open spot in the bullpen for a few of these names.
Nate Jones
35-year-old reliever with a career 3.31 ERA and 9.90 K/9. Struggled last year with the Reds pitching to a 6.27 ERA in 18.2 IP.
If he impresses this spring, he has a small chance to make the team in Atlanta. Could potentially turn into a solid middle-reliever for the team.
Carl Edwards Jr.
Edwards Jr. was once a formidable member of the Chicago Cubs bullpen. After a rough past two seasons with both the Cubs and Mariners, maybe Edwards can find a way to bounce back and become a solid middle-reliever in Atlanta.
He is only 29-years-old and sports a career 3.54 ERA and a 12.06 K/9. He is a low-risk option for Atlanta who could end up being a great value if he regains his 2017-2018 form.
Thomas Burrows
Burrows is a 26-year-old prospect who was in AAA in 2019. A solid showing in spring training could see him sneak into the bullpen to start the season.
He is hurt by the fact that the Braves already have three left-handed relievers that figures to be a big part of the 2020 bullpen.
Jason Creasy
Yes, this is a real player.
Career minor leaguer with 3 different organizations. He had a 5.59 ERA in 2019 with the Gwinnett Stripers.
It is unlikely he gets a shot, but anything is possible. A strong spring and some injuries could lead to him getting a shot in mop up duty.
Kurt Hoekstra
27-year-old who has never pitched above AAA. He did have a 3.24 ERA and an 8.64 K/9 in 2019 in Gwinnett.
Probably not likely but if the Braves want to let guys like Kyle Wright, Touki Toussaint, or Bryse Wilson start in AAA to pitch on a more consistent basis instead of sticking them in the bullpen, then maybe Hoekstra gets a shot to start 2021.
Most likely, Edwards or Jones would be the favorites to find themselves in a bullpen role come opening day.
Thankfully, teams can usually address bullpen issues the pretty easily during the season.
Now, we can move on to the bench.
A weak bench provides opportunities
The weakest part of the Braves is currently their bench. A strong bench can be key to a deep postseason run.
Take a look at the teams that have recently won the World Series. All of them had guys on their bench that they trusted to play in big moments.
The Braves bench does not inspire too much confidence.
Johan Camargo is arguably the Braves best bench player currently on the 40-man roster. That is worrisome.
So, let us look at a few of the non-roster invites and see if any of them have a shot to make the opening day squad.
Pablo Sandoval
The three-time World Series champion spent time with the Braves last season. He is not the same guy who made a couple All-Star appearances earlier in his career, but he may have a little left in the tank in a bench role.
He could possibly play first or third in a pinch as well. If he can put together a solid spring, he may be able to steal a roster spot at the end of the bench.
Jason Kipnis
The newest signee for the Atlanta Braves will be given an opportunity to make the roster out of camp. The 33-year-old former All-Star spent last season with the Cubs and now looks to find a home in Atlanta.
A career 103 wrc+ and the ability to play a few defensive positions, if necessary, helps Kipnis chances of making the roster. He may not have the most pop in his bat, but the Braves need a left-handed option of the bench, which opens the door for the veteran.
Ehire Adrianza
The 31-year-old, light-hitting, super-utility man comes to Atlanta after spending the last four seasons in Minnesota.
He has the ability to play nearly any position defensively, which obviously provides some value. However, his career 82 wrc+ makes it hard to use him in a pinch-hitting role, meaning he would mostly be a defensive replacement.
Sean Kazmar
One cannot spell Sean Kazmar without AAA, which is where Kazmar has spent the majority of his career. However, he has been with the Atlanta Braves since 2013 so they must like him a little.
It is unlikely he makes the team, but he could play either middle infield positions and if an injury were to happen, and Kazmar has a strong spring, maybe he gets a shot on the bench.
Obviously, the majority of these guys will not see the big leagues coming out of spring training. This is purely a speculation article for guys who could have a small shot at making it to Atlanta.
Most of these options are not great, but they are non-roster invitees. If they were good options, they would probably be on a major league roster already.
There will also be a few possible names the Braves could add near the end of spring training that could make the bench or bullpen.
Next. Podcast: Where's the Bench?. dark
For the time being, it will be interesting to keep an eye on these non-roster invitees and see if they can force their way onto the big-league roster.