The Braves shed 9 players on Thursday and Friday. The roster is starting to take shape. The Braves say that there are 36 players that are “in camp.” So here’s what we came up with for those 36:
Pitchers (19)Aaron Bummer, Bryce Elder, Didier Fuentes, Daysbel Hernández, Grant Holmes, Raisel Iglesias, Tyler Kinley, Dylan Lee, Reynaldo López, Joel Payamps, Chris Sale, AJ Smith-Shawver (injured), Spencer Strider, José Suarez, Robert Suarez, Hurston Waldrep (injured), Joey Wentz (injured), Danny Young (injured), Martin PerezCatchers (3)Drake Baldwin, Jonah Heim, Sean Murphy (injured)Infielders (10)Ozzie Albies, Mauricio Dubón, Ha-Seong Kim (injured), Jorge Mateo, Matt Olson, Austin Riley, Brett Wisely, Kyle Farmer, Dominic Smith, Rowdy TellezOutfielders (4)Ronald Acuña, Michael Harris II, Eli White, Mike Yastrzemski
Yeah, we should have had a tracker this whole time. Maybe file that away for next Spring. But the roster math finally starting to take shape. So after accounting for the injured and the roster locks, the questions are at pitcher and infield.
Pitchers selection
It’s basically a pick three of Martin Perez, Didier Fuentes, José Suarez, Daysbel Hernández, and Dylan Lee. You have 2 starters, 1 longer option, and 2 shorter options. There’s lots of ways to slice this. If you wanted to keep Martin Perez and make Didier Fuentes a multiple inning guy, there’s an argument to be made there. You could keep Martin Perez and Jose Suarez and keep one of the other optionable three. Or just put Fuentes right in the fire, forget Perez (or try to slip through to Gwinnett), and grab two others.
Designated Hitter/ outfield selection
This is now between Dominic Smith and Rowdy Tellez. Tellez was signed to a minor league deal yesterday. Smith looks to be the selection but you could make the argument for Tellez. Smith gives you a great option versus lefties at .779 OPS and 119 wRC+. Rowdy Tellez gives you dingers, 17 last year and 122 for his career.
Infield selection
This looks like a pick one of Brett Wisely or Kyle Farmer. Eh, probably Wisely. Or keep both DH types.
So who’s grabbing those last Braves roster spots? Don’t worry if you’re not sure. DJourn will be in with his answers shortly.
