Pitchers and catchers are reporting this week and full-squad spring training workouts are just a week away. This series will take a look at the players mostly likely to suit up at each level of the organization. Look for new installments every Tuesday and Friday until all players officially report on February 17.
In the short term, right field for Atlanta could fluctuate between several players depending on match-ups, though long term the position is set with one of the brightest young stars in all of baseball. At AA there are two intriguing hitters, and in the lower levels is one of the most exciting Braves from the 2019 draft.
First Base | Second Base | Third Base | Shortstop | Catcher | Left Field | Centerfield
ATLANTA BRAVES
STARTER: Ronald Acuña Jr.
If there’s one thing Braves fans can take to the bank, it’s that Acuña will be in the outfield and leading off on Opening Day. The only question is if Acuña will be manning centerfield, with Adam Duvall or Nick Markakis in right field, or in right field with Ender Inciarte in centerfield. The answer may have more to do with that day’s opposing pitcher than anything else, but signals from the team seem to indicate that an alignment with Acuna in right field is preferred on most days.
After posting up a .280/.365/.518 season and flirting with the 40/40 mark (he hit 41 bombs and stole 37 bases) at the ripe old age of 21 years old, the Braves could hope for more of the same. That said, Acuña may yet have another gear; his 26.3% strikeout rate was the highest of his professional career. Turning some of those whiffs into positive outcomes could catapult Acuña in to the stratosphere of the game’s elite players.
Back-up: When the Braves face a right-handed pitcher, manager Brian Snitker has a choice between Inciarte in center and Acuña in right, or Acuña in center and Markakis in right. The former is a better defensive configuration, while the latter puts a higher quality hitter in the line-up. Look for Snitker to go with historical match-ups and the “hot hand” when filling that out. Adam Duvall will likely play right field against left-handed pitchers if he makes the squad.
GWINNETT STRIPERS (CLASS AAA)
STARTER: Rafael Ortega
Ortega posted one of the best seasons of any Gwinnett position player in 2019, hitting .285/.373/.524 with a career-high 21 home runs and tacking on 14 stolen bases. Ortega parlayed this production into a late-season promotion to Atlanta after a rash of outfield injuries, and even inclusion on the postseason roster. While the Braves quickly jettisoned Ortega off the 40-man roster after the season, they quickly re-signed him to a minor league deal, and he will remain a solid depth option.
Back-up: The two big outfield prospects in Gwinnett, Cristian Pache and Drew Waters, will likely rotate into right field on occasion, as well as Austin Riley to maintain his positional flexibility. The Braves have also signed major league veteran Peter O’Brien, who is defensively challenged at any position, but whose strong arm perhaps makes him best suited for right field when he’s not a designated hitter.
MISSISSIPPI BRAVES (CLASS AA)
STARTER: Trey Harris
Harris flew like a rocket through the Braves farm system in 2019 and he lead the organization in hitting overall, going .323/.389/.498 over stops in Rome, Florida, and Mississippi. He then continued his good work in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .281/.354/.456 as the only stand-out Braves offensive player. Harris can handle any of the outfield spots, and he will likely see plenty of time in left field as well with Greyson Jenista manning right field.
Back-up: Jenista isn’t really a back-up as he will be in the line-up every day, either in any one of the outfield spots, first base, or designated hitter. Jenista had a tough 2019 season as he worked through an extensive swing change, but he started showing some of his expected power by the end of the season. The Braves experimented with Jenista in centerfield while he was with the Fire Frogs last season and he acquitted himself well, though covering ground at TrustMark Park is likely beyond his skill set.
FLORIDA FIRE FROGS (CLASS A+)
STARTER: Garrison Schwartz
At least until another outfielder distinguishes himself in Rome enough to justify a promotion, right field in Florida will likely belong to Schwartz, a tough-nosed player who can capably hold down the spot. Schwartz has yet to demonstrate the batting skills he used to good effect at Grand Canyon University or his first year assignment with Danville. An organizational favorite, Schwartz nevertheless needs to start producing or he will be overtaken by members of the 2019 draft class.
Back-up: Jose Bermudez is a capable reserve outfielder at any spot. If Jeremy Fernandez is promoted to Florida in order to get him steady plate appearances he will challenge for this spot.
ROME BRAVES (CLASS A)
STARTER: Michael Harris
Perhaps the most exciting player taken in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft, Stockbridge, GA native Harris punished the GCL to a .349/.403/.514 clip before a surprise double promotion to Rome in response to a spate of injuries. Predictably, Harris struggled facing the significantly more advanced pitchers of the SAL in the final month of the season. Harris’s athleticism, defensive acuity, and raw talent however will make the team give him a long look at returning to Rome to start 2020.
Back-up: Despite Harris’s status as one of the top young prospects in the organization, there’s a chance the Braves may elect to keep him in extended spring training to start the season for additional development. If so there’s no shortage of candidates for playing time, including Jeremy Fernandez, Drew Campbell, Brandon Parker, and Connor Blair.
ROOKIE LEAGUES
Joel Reyes
In his third year in the complex leagues, Reyes had his most productive season, hitting .241/.308/.301 in the GCL. A long-term player development project, Reyes will need to bring his solid tools to the worksite more often to keep earning roster spots.
Jeremy Celedonio
Celedonio had a good first pro season, hitting .203/.362/.302 with 4 homers in the DSL as a 17-year-old. This may be enough to bring him stateside and put him up against GCL competition.
Right Field Depth Chart
- Ronald Acuna Jr.
- Nick Markakis
- Adam Duvall
- Rafael Ortega
- Peter O’Brien
- Trey Harris
- Greyson Jenista
- Garrison Schwartz
- Jose Bermudez
- Michael Harris
- Jeremy Fernandez
- Drew Campbell
- Joel Reyes
- Jeremy Celedonio
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