Braves Opening Day Roster Predictions (3.0)

Opening Day is just about three weeks away for the Braves, and the roster is beginning to thin itself out, particularly when it comes to the bullpen. If you missed any of the previous editions of my Braves Opening Day roster predictions, follow the links below.

• Braves Opening Day Roster Predictions Pre-Spring Training
• Braves Opening Day Roster Predictions 2.0

Rotation

1. Max Fried
2. Spencer Strider
3. Charlie Morton
4. Chris Sale
5. Reynaldo Lopez

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I didn’t change anything here, but the action is heating up for the final spot in the Braves rotation. AJ Smith-Shawver has looked mighty impressive with improved secondary offerings and increased velocity this Spring, and Hurston Waldrep is touching 99 on the radar gun, but Reynaldo Lopez still gets the nod because it will allow the Braves to keep another reliever. It will also give Smith-Shawver and Waldrep some more time to work on their stuff in non-pressure situations with the Gwinnett Stripers.

Bullpen

1. Raisel Iglesias
2. A.J. Minter
3. Pierce Johnson
4. Joe Jimenez
5. Aaron Bummer
6. Ken Giles
7. Ray Kerr
8. Jackson Stephens

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This is where I began to shuffle things up, as Ken Giles has really impressed early on in Spring Training and deserves a shot to begin the season. Meanwhile, guys like Tyler Matzek and Dylan Lee don’t quite look the same following significant injuries. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lee began the year in Gwinnett and Matzek started on the IL as they continue to ramp up their workload. Eventually, both of them could be massive additions to Atlanta’s bullpen later in the year.

Catchers

1. Sean Murphy
2. Travis d’Arnaud

Infielders

1. Orlando Arcia
2. Matt Olson
3. Austin Riley
4. Ozzie Albies
5. David Fletcher

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I made one small adjustment here, as Luis Guillorme is currently dealing with a minor injury. Meanwhile, David Fletcher has been on fire this Spring. For roster management purposes, Guillorme makes more sense because they can stash Fletcher in AAA. So, if Guillorme is healthy and ready to go, I still like him to serve as the Braves utility infielder. But as of now, I’m giving Fletcher a slight edge.

Outfielders

1. Marcell Ozuna
2. Ronald Acuña Jr.
3. Michael Harris II
4. Jarred Kelenic
5. Forrest Wall
6. J.P. Martinez

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At this point, I think Forrest Wall has done enough to earn a roster spot. His bat seems to be improving after a solid year in Gwinett, and he’s a threat to steal a base every time he gets on. The final roster spot remains up in the air. I gave it to J.P. Martinez, but a part of me still believes the Braves make one more small transaction to add to their outfield depth.

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Photo: Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire