Spring training is finally here and the Atlanta Braves are likely done making major additions or changes to their roster. Sure, there is a chance that the Braves swing a spring trade for a guy like Dylan Cease or Michael King and it is a mortal lock Alex Anthopoulos will add a reliever or three off the roster cut trash heap, but the odds are that the group Atlanta is bringing into camp is going to be who they rely on in 2025.
Gone are Max Fried, Charlie Morton, AJ Minter, and others while Jurickson Profar highlights the new additions to the Braves' roster in spring training. As for who has the inside track to make Atlanta's 2025 Opening Day roster, that is surprisingly complicated given how few spots are truly up for grabs in camp.
Projecting the Braves' 2025 Opening Day roster at the start of spring training
Before we get (more) angry emails/messages, the reason why Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr. are not listed here is because the Braves have already said they won't be ready for Opening Day. There is no point in projecting them here, but both will obviously need roster spots once they return which is an important consideration when it comes to building out the roster to start the 2025 season. Also, this is just the first version of our roster projection and is very much subject to change depending on how spring training goes.
Position Players
- Catchers: Sean Murphy, Drake Baldwin
- First Base: Matt Olson
- Second Base: Ozzie Albies
- Shortstop: Orlando Arcia
- Third Base: Austin Riley
- Outfield: Michael Harris II, Jurickson Profar, Bryan De La Cruz, Jarred Kelenic
- DH: Marcell Ozuna
- Bench: Christian Cairo, Luke Williams
Most of the Braves' position group is pretty locked in. A De La Cruz/Kelenic platoon makes sense for the third outfield spot to start the season and both players have at least one minor league option left for when Acuna Jr. returns. There is merit to having Nick Allen get a bench spot over Christian Cairo, but Cairo seems to have slightly high upside at the plate and can play the outfield in a pinch as well so he gets the nod for now.
At catcher, we went with Drake Baldwin making the club out of camp which is probably going to get some raised eyebrows. However, Sean Murphy's struggles have been very pronounced and there is some wisdom in bringing up the high ceiling Baldwin to get significant playing time to preserve Murphy's body a bit and see if he can play his way into the lion's share of playing time again. If Murphy struggles, Baldwin can eventually take over and will have gotten some reps to help with the transition. If Baldwin struggles and/or Murphy excels, then the Braves can decide whether or not to use Baldwin as a trade chip at the deadline.
Rotation
- Chris Sale, LHP
- Spencer Schwellenbach, RHP
- Reynaldo Lopez, RHP
- Bryce Elder, RHP
- Ian Anderson, RHP
Yes, Grant Holmes is a trendy pick here due to the Braves' insistence that he can start and the fact he doesn't have any minor league options left. However, we aren't on board with that plan and adding Elder, who can be infuriating but does have minor league options left, gives the Braves some flexibility for early season roster moves if the need arises. Sale, Schwellenbach, and Lopez are locks unless they get hurt (please no) and Anderson feels like a guy that either needs to make the rotation or move on.
Bullpen
- Raisel Iglesias, RHP
- Pierce Johnson, RHP
- Aaron Bummer, LHP
- Dylan Lee, LHP
- Daysbel Hernandez, RHP
- Angel Perdomo, LHP
- Grant Holmes, RHP
- Anderson Pilar, RHP
While the Braves' bullpen has several familiar faces, some key departures plus Joe Jimenez's injury will force Atlanta to get creative to assemble bullpen depth. Iglesias, Johnson, Bummer, and Lee are pretty much sure things, but there are arguments to be made for the other slots to start camp. Pilar and Perdomo both have big-time strikeout stuff with questionable track records, but they get the nod for now especially Pilar who was a Rule 5 pick.
Putting Holmes in the bullpen as a long man allows the Braves to keep him (which they seem to really want to do), allow starters to limit their innings early by being able to bring him in, and he can still provide a spot start here and there if needed. Hernandez has the stuff to be a very solid reliever, but he is going to have to stay healthy and reliably find the strike zone.
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