Football season is coming to an end next weekend, which means Spring Training is just around the corner. In less than two weeks, pitchers and catchers will report to camp, and before long, real baseball will be played. Expect a lot of news to be coming down the pike over the next several weeks, and it began today with the Braves release of their non-roster invitees to Spring Training.
Atlanta Braves Announce 2024 Spring Training Non-Roster Invitees: pic.twitter.com/NgbH6KH5qP
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) February 2, 2024
Let’s begin with the pitchers. The recently added reliever Ken Giles pops off the page. He’s had a stellar career, boasting a career 2.71 ERA with over 100 saves and a 12.3 K/9. Giles was one of the most dominant relievers in baseball, but injuries have essentially cost him the last five years. Now healthy, he’ll have an opportunity to earn a spot in the Braves bullpen, but it won’t be easy, considering how many talented arms the Braves have at their disposal.
While Giles has the track record, Hurston Waldrep is by far the most intriguing name on this list, among all positions. The 2023 first-round pick was basically unhittable last year, moving all the way up to AAA for his final start. There’s no reason for the Braves to rush him. They have plenty of talented starting pitchers that can carry the load the entire season if need be, but Waldrep possesses the kind of talent that could force the Braves’ hand if his momentum continues forward.
Among the Braves non-roster invitees that are position players, Ignacio Alvarez is the most exciting. The 20-year-old shortstop is already one of the best prospects in the organization after displaying a fantastic contact bat and improving power with High-A Rome last year. Alvarez won’t make it to the big leagues this year, and probably not next year either, but with another fantastic season, he will begin bursting into top 100 prospect charts across the board.
David Fletcher, Eli White, and Jordan Luplow are three other players to keep a close eye on this spring, as they will be doing everything they can to squeak out one of the final spots on the Braves roster.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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