Pitchers and catchers report in about a week, and the first game of the offseason is about two weeks away. Baseball is back! The Atlanta Braves ended the 2022 campaign short of their ultimate goal, but the club is returning the core of the roster and will have another legitimate shot at raising the Commissioner’s Trophy in 2023.
With Spring Training right around the corner, Atlanta released their list of non-roster invitees to big league camp. The most notable player has to be Jesse Chavez, and it’s going to be tough for him to make the roster because of an ultra-competitive relief core, but I hope he contributes in Atlanta. With the Braves last season, Chavez tossed 53 innings of 2.72 ERA and 2.89 FIP ball.
There’s also a slew of prospects making appearances. Dylan Dodd and Jared Shuster are two I am excited to see. The former posted a 3.36 ERA in 26 starts over three minor league levels last season. The latter was also a first-round pick in 2020 and was Keith Law’s top prospect in the club’s farm system.
Roddery Munoz and Braden Shewmake also received invites to camp. Munoz must have a ton of potential because he struggled mightily in Double-A last year, posting an unsightly 9.82 ERA in three games. Shewmake is an interesting case. He was initially drafted with many in Braves Country expecting him to turn into the franchise’s next starter in the middle of the Braves infield. However, it’s been nothing but struggles since he was taken in the 2019 draft. He’s quickly reaching the age that very few prospects turn into major-league contributors. He’s hopeful for a resurgence, and I hope things work out for him.
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