Braves Opening Day roster predictions ahead of Spring Training

We are just over a week away from Braves pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training, and by the end of the month, baseball games will be taking place.

It’s an exciting time for fans in the Southeast, as the Braves might just have the best roster they’ve ever had in franchise history, which is somewhat insane to say about a club coming off a season in which they won 104 games. But it’s true; this is a team loaded in all three phases of the game, one that should be the favorite to hold up The Commissioner’s Trophy at the end of the season.

As Spring Training takes place, I’ll be updating my roster predictions on several occasions, but here’s how I see things as we sit about seven weeks from Opening Day.

Braves Rotation

1. Spencer Strider
2. Max Fried
3. Chris Sale
4. Charlie Morton
5. Bryce Elder

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As long as everyone’s healthy, these are the five guys I expect to make the Opening Day roster. The only real question is the fifth spot, but I don’t even think it’s going to be as close of a battle as many expect. I have a lot of respect for the young prospects like AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep, but I don’t think people are giving enough respect to Bryce Elder for what he did a year ago. He was a huge part of the Braves success despite ending the year poorly and deserves the nod to begin the season.

Braves Bullpen

1. Raisel Iglesias
2. A.J. Minter
3. Reynaldo Lopez
4. Pierce Johnson
5. Joe Jiménez
6. Aaron Bummer
7. Tyler Matzek
8. Dylan Lee

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This is undoubtedly the most improved aspect of the Braves this year compared to last. All eight of these players have experience in high leverage situations, and I don’t even think the last three are locks to make the Opening Day roster because guys like Huascar Ynoa, Ray Kerr, Daysbel Hernandez, and Ken Giles will also be vying for an opportunity. The Braves legitimately have 13-14 relief arms that could be on major-league rosters elsewhere. The final spots in the bullpen will be the most competitive battle of Spring Training.

Braves Catchers

1. Sean Murphy
2. Travis d’Arnaud

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As always, not much to see here except the best catching tandem in the business.

Braves Infielders

1. Austin Riley
2. Orlando Arcia
3. Matt Olson
4. Luis Guillorme
5. Ozzie Albies

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These are currently the only five infielders on the Braves 40-man roster, and I don’t see them changing leading up to Opening Day. I will give an outside shot to David Fletcher. He could end up beating out Luis Guillorme for the role as the team’s utility infielder, but I expect Guillorme to get the opportunity first because he is on the 40-man roster.

Braves Outfielders

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

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By Opening Day, this group could look a lot different. The first four players listed will be starting, but after that, the Braves could be searching to add options through free agency and trade before the start of the season. As I wrote earlier, finding a right-handed bat, preferably one with some pop, makes a lot of sense in case Jarred Kelenic doesn’t pan out like the Braves hope. Perhaps Jordan Luplow can fill that role, but I would be shocked if Alex Anthopoulos didn’t look to add to the competition before the start of the season.

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Photo: John Adams/Icon Sportswire