The Braves have a great reason to start top prospect Ronald Acuña , Jr. in the minor leagues this season. Just 15 days (12 major league games) in the minor leagues would give the team a whole full season of team control in 2025. Acuña is doing his very best to try to upset those plans by being the best position player in the Grapefruit League. Acuña is hitting a remarkable .432/.519/.727, and he’s even convinced Walk-Off Walk’s Tommy Poe, one of the most sensible Braves fans I know, to advocate for his inclusion on the Opening Day roster.
I want to see Acuña in Atlanta. There probably isn’t a Braves fan in the world now that doesn’t. And if the organization decided to throw the fans a bone and have him manning left field against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 29, I wouldn’t complain. That all said… I still think it’s a no-brainer for the team to maximize his service time. Yes, it’s possible that Acuña and the Braves could someday come to an agreement on a contract extension to make this of all irrelevant. However, by gaining that extra year of service, it makes is more likely that Acuña would be interested in an extension that could guarantee him more up-front salary.
So that’s my two-cents on the whole bit, and it didn’t even cost you that much.
Rotation
Locks: RH Mike Foltynewicz, RH Brandon McCarthy, RH Julio Teheran, LH Sean Newcomb
Last Spots Candidates: LH Scott Kazmir, RH Anibal Sanchez, RH Lucas Sims, RH Matt Wisler
Unlikely: RH Aaron Blair
Injured: LH Luiz Gohara
Reassigned: LH Max Fried
There were two developments in the rotation battle this week. The happiest one was the confirmation from manager Brian Snitker that left-hander Sean Newcomb had secured a rotation spot by pitching to a 2.35 ERA in 5 starts and 15 innings. Most importantly, he’s exhibited improved control all spring, the major knock against him during his pro career.
The second development was the signing of journeyman right-hander Anibal Sanchez to a minor league contract. Sanchez is coming off a big 5-year deal with the Detroit Tigers where he pitched poorly the last three seasons. Sanchez was in camp with the Minnesota Twins before they released him to make room on their roster for free agent Lance Lynn. Sanchez essentially takes the place of prospect Max Fried as a fifth starter candidate. Fried was optioned to AAA Gwinnett on Friday, ending for now his bid to join the big league roster.
Sanchez started Sunday after scheduled starter Scott Kazmir was a late scratch due to a minor injury and had a solid performance. With the 5th starter’s spot wide open after Luiz Gohara suffered an ankle sprain, none of the other options have really stepped forward to claim the spot. The best of the lot as been Matt Wisler, who has struck out 9 and only walked 2 in his 13 innings pitched the spring, but has also given up two home runs and was knocked around some his last start.
Bullpen
Locks: RH Arodys Vizcaino, RH Jose Ramirez, LH Sam Freeman, LH A.J. Minter
Likely: RH Dan Winkler, RH Peter Moylan
Last Spots Candidates: RH Aaron Blair, LH Rex Brothers, LH Scott Kazmir, RH Anyelo Gomez, RH Lucas Sims, RH Matt Wisler
Unlikely: RH Shane Carle, RH Luke Jackson, RH Chase Whitley
Reassigned: LH Max Fried, RH Josh Graham, RH Miguel Socolovich
The relief pitching situation remains static as no one has really taken control of the last few spots for the bullpen. Essentially all of the candidates looked shaky this last week, including Rule V draftee Anyelo Gomez, who impressed early in camp by has struggled against more advanced hitting.
Chase Whitley has been slowed by a staph infection on his foot, and hasn’t made an appearance since February 27, but is expected to make an appearance this week, but I have dropped him into the Unlikely category because of his missed time.
Bench
Locks: C Kurt Suzuki
Likely: OF Lane Adams, IF Charlie Culberson, OF Preston Tucker
Last Spots Candidates: OF Ezequiel Carrera, IF Rio Ruiz, UT Danny Santana
Unlikely: IF Sean Kazmar, C Chris Stewart
Reassigned: C Rob Brantly, IF Christian Colon, OF Jaff Decker, C Alex Jackson, OF Dustin Peterson, 3B Austin Riley, IF Ryan Schimpf
Early last week, the Braves signed former Toronto outfielder Ezequiel Carrera to a minor league contract. The veteran left-handed hitter has hit .267/.336/.380 the last three seasons with the Jays and provides depth. He would seem to provide some competition for Preston Tucker, but Tucker has had an impressive spring, hitting .378/.465./.595 and socking his first home run this week. It seems more likely that Carrera will provide depth at the AAA level.
If the Braves are putting stock in spring training performances, Danny Santana may be close to locking up the last bench spot, hitting .310/.341/.500. Lane Adams on the other hand is just this week starting to heat up after a slow opening to Grapefruit League action. Adams’s main competition right now might not be the other bench candidates listed, but Ronald Acuña when he is brought to Atlanta in mid-April.
The Braves ended the Ryan Schimpf experiment after the infielder failed to notch a hit in 20 plate appearances with Atlanta (after also failing to get a hit in 15 shots with the Rays). Schimpf was optioned to AAA Gwinnett where he will likely be in the mix for infield playing time with Rio Ruiz, Christian Colon, and Sean Kazmar.
To be fair, I’ve never argued that I’m sensible.