With just two weeks left before Opening Day, we break down the latest projections for the Atlanta Braves roster when Spring Training ends.
As I wrote the other week, it’s been a bit of a ho-hum Spring Training for the Atlanta Braves, and that’s perfectly fine.
Things are working out pretty much the way we expected, and knock on wood, there haven’t been any major injuries to discuss.
Maybe the biggest surprise in Spring Training so far is that the Braves and Freddie Freeman haven’t agreed to a contract extension … GET IT DONE ALREADY!
But we are just two weeks away from Opening Day and the roster for the Braves is beginning to look pretty clear.
David O’Brien of The Athletic (paid subscription required) just gave his latest projections.
Braves Pitchers
He Has the Braves only carrying four starters to begin the season and carrying eight relievers, which makes sense.
They really don’t need a fifth starter until April 7th. Although I would use that fifth starter on April 6th and give Max Fried and Charlie Morton the extra rest.
You’re going to be looking for spots throughout the year to give your starters rest and save their innings, what better time to do it than early in the year with the extra off days.
Fried, Morton, Anderson, and Smyly would be the first four starters, and then I’d add Bryse Wilson to the roster for that April 6th game.
That leaves an extra spot in the bullpen behind Will Smith, Chris Martin, Tyler Matzek, A.J. Minter, Jacob Webb, Luke Jackson, Grant Dayton, and Josh Tomlin.
DOB goes with Nate Jones over another non-roster invitee in Carl Edwards Jr.
That seems fine, although you could make a case for either Huascar Ynoa or Touki Toussaint to have another long reliever early in the season.
Braves Hitters
All the starters are locked up, which is a great situation to have as a team going into Spring Training. The only real question for this team has been the bench.
DOB has William Contreras as the back-up catcher. As I wrote earlier this week, I think the Braves should keep an eye on the waiver wires for a veteran catcher to add.
Jake Lamb, Johan Camargo, and Ender Inciarte are the other locks for the bench.
The final spot will likely go to Jason Kipnis.
Pablo Sandoval (non-roster) and Phillip Ervin are also in the mix for that final spot.
Everything seems pretty much wrapped up at this point. Just put everyone in bubble wrap and let’s get to April 1 with no major news (unless it’s that Freeman extension).