The Atlanta Braves threw a wrench in our existing roster projections on Thursday when they signed veteran outfielder Adam Duvall to a $3M contract for the 2024 season.
But we're fine throwing away our previous work if it means we get our old friend Duvall back.
Let's update our roster projection with the addition of Duvall (and release of Jordan Luplow, who was looking to provide the same type of veteran stability that Duvall will).
There's one change here with the news that Jarred Kelenic and Adam Duvall will platoon in left field; initial indications are that Duvall will get the start against lefthanders.
Outfield (4): Ronald Acuña Jr, Michael Harris II, Jarred Kelenic, Adam Duvall
Catcher (2): Sean Murphy, Travis d'Arnaud
Third Base (1): Austin Riley
Shortstop (1): Orlando Arcia
Second Base (1): Ozzie Albies
First Base (1): Matt Olson
Designated Hitter (and emergency first baseman): Marcell Ozuna
Starting Rotation (5): RHP Spencer Strider, LHP Max Fried, RHP Charlie Morton, LHP Chris Sale, RHP Reynaldo López
We still maintain that López is the hands-down favorite to start the season as the #5 starter, with the potential of joining the bullpen midseason if either his innings become a concern, the consistency isn't there, or there's a need for relief arms.
Locks (3): Catcher Travis d'Arnaud and outfielder Adam Duvall (who are more of a co-starter and both listed above) and infielder Luis Guillorme, who has returned to action after missing a week or so with quad soreness.
The final spot comes down to versatility and role.
Favorite (1): INF/OF Luke Williams
For Williams, our conversations in North Port last week have shown that the team really values his versatility to play both infield and outfield, with manager Brian Snitker telling the media last Monday that Williams "can literally play anywhere and everywhere on the diamond. That's good; he's a valuable piece to have around."
That comfort all over the diamond, as well as his underrated speed (an above-average 28.7 ft/sec) makes him the perfect final member of the bench.
If a middle infielder were to miss time, I'd expect an everyday fill-in like David Fletcher (SS/2B) to be promoted from Gwinnett to cover the position on a daily basis. For a corner infield injury, Luis Guillorme and Williams (and Marcell Ozuna, if it's first base) can cover those positions.
The bench Atlanta is likely to have gives them both weapons to use situationally and the ability to finish a game at any single position where you might lose a player, with Guillorme showing in Grapefruit League action that he wouldn't be a total defensive liability if needed to cover a few innings at shortstop.
Locks (5): RHP Raisel Iglesias (closer), LHP A.J. Minter, RHP Pierce Johnson, LHP Aaron Bummer, RHP Joe Jiménez
The rest (3): RHP Jackson Stephens (long man), LHP Tyler Matzek, LHP Dylan Lee
Tyler Matzek's this close to getting moved to the "locks" section - the 2021 NLCS hero looks to be close to full health and effectiveness after missing all of 2023 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
IUf Matzek's indeed ready for a standard load, look for him to fill in the "veteran former closer" role that was occupied by Kirby Yates last season.
Look for Tyler Matzek to potentially hold that role early in the season while veteran Ken Giles continues prepping for a major league return in AAA Gwinnett. Giles can get more of an opportunity to work on stamina - back-to-back outings, multiple innings, etc - in minor league camp before rejoining the major league roster early in the season as the "first man up" out of Gwinnett.
Dylan Lee gets the final spot on the roster as of now. He's given up four runs on seven hits in 6.0 innings this spring, but the team saw how good and reliable he could be in 2022 (2.13 ERA in 50.2 innings) and he's reportedly fully recovered from shoulder surgery needed towards the end of last season.
We're going to continue predicting this rotation, as well, given how many starting pitcher depth options the Braves have at the moment (and how many starters the team used at the major league level last season).
Several of these starters will have to double up, working as "piggybacks" to get everyone their work in. But it's a good problem to have and will probably only be. temporary thing until Atlanta needs one (or more) to take some major league starts.
As much as we want to clarify to not pay any attention to the order (other than Elder getting the Opening Day start for Gwinnett), there's been some belief among members of the media that AJ Smith-Shawver might actually be the preferred call-up when you need a 6th starter over Elder, owing to the improvement the youngster's shown with his fastball velocity and overall command.
Injured list (3): RHP Ian Anderson (starter), RHP Penn Murfee (reliever), LHP Angel Perdomo (reliever)
How would you configure the Braves roster? Let us know!
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