Predicting the Braves playoff roster 1.0

It’s hard to believe, but in less than two weeks, the 2020 MLB season will be over, and we will know all sixteen teams in this year’s postseason. Currently 3.5 games up on the Marlins in the NL East, the Braves are well on their way to another playoff berth, which means it’s time for Alex Anthopoulos and Brian Snitker to start thinking about who should be on and who should be left off the playoff roster.

Given how shaky Atlanta’s starting pitching has been, there will be many gut-wrenching decisions to make. However, unlike a regular season, each team will be allowed to have 28 players on their playoff roster. That will play to the Braves’ advantage, who will need to have as many relievers as possible. This is my first of two playoff roster predictions that I will do.

Infielders

1. Freddie Freeman
2. Ozzie Albies
3. Adeiny Hechavarria
4. Dansby Swanson
5. Austin Riley

Nothing surprising here. Austin Riley has clearly won the job at third base, and it’s apparent the organization favors Adeiny Hechavarria over Johan Camargo as a utility man.

Outfielders

1. Ronald Acuña Jr.
2. Adam Duvall
3. Nick Markakis
4. Ender Inciarte
5. Marcell Ozuna

Again, nothing out of the ordinary here. I’d love to have seen the Braves give Cristian Pache more of an opportunity, and frankly, I have no idea why they didn’t. Ender Inciarte has no business on any playoff team’s roster, but the Braves have made it apparent they trust him as a backup and defensive replacement in the outfield.

Catchers

1. Travis d’Arnaud
2. Tyler Flowers

The Braves have rolled with three catchers in the last two postseasons, but that isn’t as necessary with the DH in place. Now that pinch hitters are rarely needed, they shouldn’t have to roster three catchers.

Starting Pitchers

1. Max Fried
2. Ian Anderson
3. Cole Hamels
4. Kyle Wright
5. Josh Tomlin
6. Huascar Ynoa

This is where things get difficult. The top three are locks, and so is Josh Tomlin (although I’m not sure we will see him start a playoff game). If the Braves can get out of the Wild Card round, they will need at least four starting pitchers because there are no off-days during the NLDS or NLCS.

Right now, I don’t think anyone has earned that right, but after the way Kyle Wright and Huascar Ynoa performed in their last outings, I’ll give them a slight edge. However, I expect at least one of Mike Foltynewicz or Sean Newcomb to make an appearance over these final two weeks. If they look good enough, the Braves could end up rolling with one of them.

Bullpen

1. Shane Greene
2. Mark Melancon
3. Chris Martin
4. A.J. Minter
5. Tyler Matzek
6. Grant Dayton
7. Will Smith
8. Jacob Webb
9. Luke Jackson
10. Darren O’Day

This is where you can really see how the Braves will benefit from the expanded rosters come playoff time. They can keep all of their position players, and essentially have a bullpen that is 11-12 guys deep. I think these ten guys are all locks to make the postseason roster, barring something crazy happening over these final nine games. Everybody on this list brings something to the table and will be necessary if the Braves are to make a deep postseason run with their starting rotation.