10 Atlanta Braves players who have struggled the most in spring training

With less than two weeks until Opening Day, there has been just enough Spring Training games to make inferences about sample sizes that are still far too small. It's time to look at the Atlanta Braves biggest strugglers during Spring Training. And while some of the players on this list have already been cut, a few are locks on the Opening Day Roster.

Here are three position players and three pitchers who have struggled during this Spring Training, as well as a few honorable mentions.

Braves Spring Training strugglers: Position Players

1. Orlando Arcia

Arcia came into camp fighting for the starting SS role, but that dream has quickly died. While it's not a guarantee that Vaughn Grissom gets the role, Arcia will almost certainly start the season as the team's backup infielder.

In 27 plate appearances, the 28-year-old has slashed .182/.333/.182, good for a .515 OPS. While the five walks are certainly a plus, it's certainly not the performance Arcia was hoping for coming into camp.

2. Eddie Rosario*

While his Spring Training stats look bad, my prediction the Braves would cut him loose before Opening Day will certainly be wrong.

While his .133/.133/.133 slashline in 15 plate appearances looks concerning, he has looked pretty good during this World Baseball Classic.

He only has a .176 AVG, but he's hit two bombs and a double, and has hit the ball hard even when they've turned into outs.

3. Adeiny Hechavarria

This wasn't the Spring Training Hechavarria was hoping for when he re-signed with the Braves after spending the past two seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the NPB.

In 14 playe appearances, Hechavarria only recorded two hits and no walks, resulting in a .154/.154/.231 slashline. He was reassigned to minor league camp on March 14.

Honorable mentions

1. Cal Conley wasn't really expected to compete for a spot, but he did hit .063/.063/.125 in his 16 plate appearances. He also had this unfortunate strikeout.

2. Joe Dunand has hit .111/.143/.185 this spring. He's also A-Rod's nephew.

Braves Spring Training strugglers: Pitchers

1. Ian Anderson

After a disappointing 2022, Ian Anderson came into camp, looking to lock down the 5th starter role. Unfortunately, with more than two weeks left in ST, he was optioned, along with another young starter who many thought could open the season with the big league club.

The problems that plagued Anderson in 2022 are what plagued him during his 7.1 innings this Spring. Too many walks and too many homers. The 24-year-old walked more batters than innings pitched (eight walks to 7.1 innings), and allowed two homers, resulting in a 6.14 ERA.

2. Bryce Elder

Another young starter looking to claim the 5th spot in the rotation, Bryce Elder struggled all spring. In four games (three of them starts), Elder allowed eight runs and three homers in 11.2 innings. He struck out 11 but also walked eight.

Instead of breaking camp with the big league club, Elder, like Anderson, will have to work his way out of Gwinnett, as he was optioned the same day as Ian.

3. Victor Vodnik

The Braves #11 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline was given a somewhat extended look with the Braves this Spring. He unfortunately did not capitalize on it.

Vodnik appeared in five games this Spring, pitching 4.2 innings, but he allowed eight runs in that span. He allowed three runs in his first game pitched on February 25, and then allowed four more runs in his third game on March 3. He was reassigned on March 10, after allowing another run, in his fifth game of the Spring.

Honorable mentions:

1. Jackson Stephens has only pitched two games and had a scoreless outing on March 17, but he has a 33.75 ERA because he allowed five runs in 0.1 innings in his first outing.

2. Kirby Yates has a 13.50 ERA in four innings. He has only had a scoreless outing in one of his four games.