With the Braves adding Chris Sale to their rotation, there’s not much left to do this offseason. Some 40-man roster spots must be filled up, but most likely, the major additions are finished. The Braves roster is loaded as currently constructed. Let’s take a look.

Braves 2024 Roster Outlook

Rotation

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

Other Candidates: AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, Reynaldo Lopez, Ian Anderson (later), Huascar Ynoa 

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The Braves rotation is the best in baseball entering the season, and I’m not sure why some can’t see it. Every single member of the starting five I’ve projected has made an All-Star Game. People are really complaining about someone who made the All-Star Game last year being the fifth starter in the rotation. On top of that, they have so much depth behind these five it’s not even funny.

AJ Smith-Shawver has a legitimate shot to win the fifth spot with his electric stuff over Bryce Elder. Hurston Waldrep might be a year away, but he’s going to be a stud. Don’t be surprised if he makes an impact this year. Reynaldo Lopez is likely to be in the bullpen, but the Braves did say they were going to stretch him out. By mid-season, Ian Anderson should be back from Tommy John surgery, and don’t forget about Huascar Ynoa. He’ll be ready for Spring Training and has a huge arm.

Sure, injuries are going to happen and maybe some guys underperform, but the depth of this starting pitching staff is just silly. It’s an incredible mix of aces, savvy veterans with electric stuff, and young arms with immense upside.

Bullpen

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

Other Candidates: Ray Kerr, Daysbel Hernandez, Huascar Ynoa, Jackson Stephens

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As deep as the Braves rotation is, the bullpen is equally as impressive. The eight I included all have experienced success in high-leverage situations. However, it is worth wondering how Tyler Matzek and Dylan Lee will return following significant injuries.

Unlike last season, this group features a solid mix of lefties and righties. Of the guys I didn’t include on the 26-man roster, Ray Kerr has some fantastic stuff from the left side. Daysbel Hernandez does as well and flashed in his first taste of major-league ball last year. I already talked about Ynoa and his big arm earlier, and Jackson Stephens has proven to be reliable in a pinch.

Catchers

1. Sean Murphy
2. Travis d’Arnaud

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Really nothing to see here. The Braves are once again poised to have the best catching tandem in baseball.

Infielders

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

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When going position group by position group, you realize just how incredible the 2024 Braves are set up to be. All four starting infielders return, and all of them were named to the NL All-Star team last year. David Fletcher looks to be in line to take over Nicky Lopez‘s role as the team’s utility infielder. The Braves could look to add another infielder when it’s all said and done.

Designated Hitter

1. Marcell Ozuna

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Just your ole 40 home runs, 100 RBI designated hitter here.

Outfielders

1. Ronald Acuña Jr.
2. Michael Harris II
3. Jarred Kelenic
4. ???
5. ???

The Braves have their starting outfield but they need to add a fourth outfielder, and I don’t think it will be some bum off the street. It has to be a reliable fielder who can potentially relieve Jarred Kelenic if that experiment goes south. I’m not sure who the final roster spot will go to, which is why I left it blank. It could be someone in the organization like Forrest Wall, who brings defense and speed to the table, or perhaps the Braves look to play the numbers game and add another outfield bat to the mix.

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Photo: Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire