NLDS Preview: Predicting the Braves Playoff Roster
The Atlanta Braves have some tough decisions to make with their playoff roster.
As the Braves prepare to take on the Phillies in a rematch of the last NLDS, the front office is debating which players to keep on the roster and which to leave off.
While some decisions are already made because of injuries, with Charlie Morton and Jackson Stephens ineligible for the NLDS roster, others will likely be decided in the 11th hour.
Will Bryce Elder make the roster? Will Max Fried's blisters be an issue? Is a rookie going to be starting in the playoffs for the Braves? We take our best guesses below.
Predicting the Braves' playoff roster in the NLDS
Just missed the cut
At least two Braves who were on the Braves roster during the final day of the regular season will not be on the roster in the NLDS. MLB plays with an expanded roster of 28 players after September 1 but shrinks it back to 26 for the postseason.
Luke Williams is one Brave who will not be on the playoff roster. Even though the 27-year-old spent the entire final month of the season with the big league club, he only appeared in seven games and got nine PAs. He did not reach base in a Braves uniform. His biggest strength, speed, is likely redundant, as Atlanta will probably take the player who had 57 steals between Gwinnett and Atlanta this year.
Collin McHugh also just misses the cut. The righty was a big part of the 2022 team but has been highly ineffective this year.
Michael Tonkin played a huge role in the Braves bullpen this year as a long reliever, but his ineffectiveness down the stretch, coupled with three off days in the five-game series makes his role obsolete for the Braves' first-round.
If Max Fried is not able to start in the NLDS, Allan Winans will be the guy who takes his spot. Unfortunately, there isn't room for him otherwise.
Chadwick Tromp is an option if the Braves want to carry a third catcher. However, Atlanta hasn't carried an extra catcher since 2019, when Brian McCann, Tyler Flowers, and Francisco Cervelli (yes, he did play for the Braves) were all on the roster.
The Braves will only take 12 pitchers
Thanks to the off days, the Braves won't need four starters. They also won't need to worry about taxing the back part of the bullpen. Because of this, the team doesn't need a long reliever like Michael Tonkin in case of emergency. Kyle Wright is fully capable of eating innings, as is AJ Smith Shawver.
Spencer Strider, Max Fried, and Bryce Elder will be the team's starting pitching for the first round.
Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter, Pierce Johnson, and Joe Jimenez will take care of the high leverage relief innings, while Jesse Chavez, Kyle Wright, Kirby Yates, Brad Hand, and AJ Smith-Shawver will take care of the rest.
A Kyle Wright/AJ Smith-Shawver piggyback start also isn't out of the question.
Starting pitchers: Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Bryce Elder (3)
Relievers: Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter, Pierce Johnson, Joe Jimenez, Jesse Chavez, Kyle Wright, Kirby Yates, Brad Hand, AJ Smith-Shawver (9)
Total pitchers: 12
The 14 position players
With an extra bench spot, the Braves do have the opportunity to take an extra position player. While Chadwick Tromp or Luke Williams could make sense, I think the Braves use the 26th spot to focus on hitting.
Sean Murphy and Travis d'Arnaud will handle the catching duties, and Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Orlando Arcia, and Austin Riley will round out the infield. The Braves will stick with the usual platoon of Kevin Pillar and Eddie Rosario in LF, and Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuña Jr. will take their normal spots in the CF and RF. Marcell Ozuna, of course, will take the DH spot.
This leaves three more spots on the bench. Nicky Lopez is a lock for the backup infielder spot, and Forrest Wall will be this year's Terrance Gore (yes, he did play for the Braves).
This leaves the final roster spot for Vaughn Grissom. Even though he didn't get an opportunity with the Braves in September, he is a better hitter than Williams, and he offers some level of flexibility if the Braves choose to trust him in the field.
Catchers: Sean Murphy, Travis d’Arnaud (2)
Infielders: Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Orlando Arcia, Austin Riley, Nicky Lopez, Vaughn Grissom (6)
Outfielders: Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Eddie Rosario, Kevin Pillar, Forrest Wall (5)
DH: Ozuna (1)
Total position players: 14