We are now days away from Opening Day for the Atlanta Braves which means it is time for the final Opening Day roster projection. For a look at the prior projections, start with the last version on March 12.
Most seasons, who make the Opening Day roster matters little in the grand scheme of things, but it can have an impact – and for proof, look at last year – pro: Drake Baldwin; con: Hector Neris.
As a reminder, this projection is based on who is on the Braves’ 40-man roster or in camp with the team
at this moment in time and assumes that everyone is “healthy” when Opening Day rolls around. All the usual caveats apply related to injuries, acquisitions and the like.
This final projection includes notes on players and roster spot battle but read the prior projections for previous comments and opinions.
Position Players
Catcher: Drake Baldwin
First base: Matt Olson
Second base: Ozzie Albies
Shortstop: Mauricio Dubón
Third base: Austin Riley
Right field: Ronald Acuña, Jr.
Center field: Micheal Harris II
Left field: Mike Yastrzemski
Designated hitter:
Bench: Jonah Heim, Eli White, Jorge Mateo, Kyle Farmer, Dominic Smith
No changes here, with Heim, White and Mateo all seeming to be locks to make the team.
Farmer gets the nob here in part due to his past big league experience behind the plate, allowing the Braves to use Heim and Baldwin in the starting line-up – with one at designated hitter and the other at catcher – and still have a viable 3rd catching option, if needed. Smith seems likely to make the team, at this point, after Ben Gamel was reassigned on Friday but a late-night addition could put his spot in jeopardy.
Wild Card: Brett Wisely, Rowdy Tellez
Wisely has had a solid Spring and could be an option over Farmer if the Braves make a move to bring in a full-time designated hitter before Opening Day, lessening the need for Smith or Farmer to stick on the roster.
The big possible change here is that late Friday night, the Braves added free agent designated hitter/first baseman Rowdy Tellez. Tellez had not been in a big league camp this year, but did play for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Tellez and Smith offer almost the same skill-set, so this addition is worth keeping an eye-on since Tellez isn’t a right-handed hitter.
Atlanta might not be done with outside additions, with the final position player roster spot – or two – in flux.
Pitchers
Starting pitchers: Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, Didier Fuentes
Bullpen: Raisel Iglesias, Robert Suarez, Dylan Lee, Tyler Kinley, Aaron Bummer, Joel Payamps, Jose Suaréz
With JR Ritchie being reassigned on Friday, that seems to leave the final battle of in-camp arms as one between Fuentes and Martín Peréz. Fuentes has been utterly lights-out during Spring Training which may be enough to earn him at least one start – and maybe two – before Atlanta could look to swap him out for a reliever after the Braves complete their 13-consecutive game start to the season.
Fuentes being able to be optioned also opens to the door for the team to cycle through pitchers should the Braves need a fresh arm – whether it be for Ritchie, Dylan Dodd – who was reassigned on Friday – or for relievers Hayden Harris or James Karinchak who were both impressive but were cut earlier in camp.
Suaréz makes the club as a third left-hander in the bullpen as the designated long-man after a solid camp and effective outing on Friday night. Should the Braves opt to start Fuentes in the minors, he could get the call in the rotation, but likely will be insurance in the event a starter has to leave a game early since he would be able to cover at least five innings.
Wild Cards: Martín Peréz
Should Atlanta play the roster flexibility game, they could opt for the veteran Peréz over Fuentes and either give him a start or use him in a mop-up roll. Should he struggle, the Braves could try to sneak him through waivers in the season’s first two weeks, in hopes that they could stash him in Triple-A should an injury arise.
The Braves could also make a move to shore up its rotation or bullpen via trade or by signing a player who is cut loose from another team.
