The Braves only have a few more Spring Training games left before they pack up and get ready for Opening Day in San Diego. Most of their roster decisions have been decided, and several mainstays already appear to be in mid-season form. Here are the guys that stood out the most this spring:
Austin Riley
All of Braves Country held their breath when Riley was struck on the wrist with a fastball, the same wrist he fractured last year that ended his season. Thankfully, both X-rays and the CT scan came back negative. Riley didn’t have to miss any time and picked up right where he left off with the stick. Over 34 at-bats this spring, he owns a .927 OPS with a couple of homers.
Eli White
White appears to have played himself onto the Opening Day roster with his performance this spring, recording a .944 OPS over 32 at-bats and playing incredible defense all over the diamond.
Nick Allen
Allen is another bench piece that has all but solidified himself on the Braves Opening Day roster because of his performance in Spring Training. He’s hitting a ridiculous .407 with an OPS north of 1.000 and is another guy that is elite defensively. Allen’s offensive track record at the major league level is putrid, but his defense alone could allow him to see the field this season if Orlando Arcia continues to struggle.
Drake Baldwin
He’s cooled off a bit recently, but Baldwin has come as advertised this Spring Training, recording an OPS north of .800 with five doubles over 32 at-bats. He’s also flashed some really impressive arm strength and earned the right to catch on Opening Day in Sean Murphy‘s absence.
Grant Holmes
If there were any questions about Grant Holmes beginning the season in the rotation, he put those to bed this spring, recording a 1.76 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 15.1 innings.
Spencer Schwellenbach
Yesterday’s six-inning domination of the Yankees lineup only added to the Spencer Schwellenbach hype train. He already looks better than the pitcher he was at the end of last season, which was one of the better arms in all of baseball. Nobody should be surprised if Schwellenbach makes the National League All-Star team in his first full season with the major-league club.
Spencer Strider
Sure, it was only one start, and he threw just 2.2 innings, but did you see it? Spencer Strider made his return to the mound after over 11 months off and retired all eight batters he faced, six of which came via strikeout. It’s impossible not to be excited about putting him back in the rotation alongside the likes of Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Reynaldo Lopez.
AJ Smith-Shawver
Shawver’s 3.75 ERA this spring is not going to turn many heads, but stats don’t matter in Spring Training. Stuff does, and his stuff just looks different this year. His fastball is a couple of ticks higher, hitting 100 at times, and his secondary offerings appear much improved. He could be the final piece of the puzzle to the Braves rotation this season.
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Photo: Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire
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