Atlanta Braves Spring Training Stock Watch: (Week 5)

This will be our final look at the spring roster competition for the Atlanta Braves before the final result is announced early next week. If you want to take a look back at where we have come then you can do so by clicking here. While we entered the spring with things pretty settled, a series of nagging injuries, particularly in the starting rotation, have muddled the picture considerably.

Rotation Locks: Julio Teheran, Sean Newcomb

When the spring began the rotation appeared set with four veteran starters and glut of young starters competing for the fifth and final rotation spot. Now Julio Teheran is penciled in as the Opening Day starter, Sean Newcomb has been unimpressive but is almost assured of getting a start at some point during the opening week. Newcomb has struggled this spring allowing 14 hits and 10 runs through five starts. Additionally, he has walked 15 in just 17 innings. His performance has hardly inspired confidence so saying he is a “Lock” might seem like a stretch but given the overall health of the rotation, he will likely be penciled in for the opening series in Philadelphia.

One note here, Brian Snitker indicated on Saturday that the team plans to open the season with five starters on the Opening Day roster despite a couple of early off days. They are also planning on throwing Teheran on Opening Day and then bringing him back on April 3 thanks to an off day in the schedule. The fifth starter won’t be needed until April 4 in the series finale against the Cubs.

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Starter Competition: Max Fried, Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson

With Touki Toussaint getting optioned on Saturday, it appears likely that Max Fried, Kyle Wright and Bryse Wilson have a good chance to being the season on the Opening Day roster. Fried has shown the ability this spring to work as a starter or a reliever. Wright was hit hard in his last outing but his overall body of work was good. Wilson continues to fly under the radar but also turned in a solid spring.

Injured: Mike Foltynewicz, Kevin Gausman

Mike Foltynewicz is scheduled to throw live BP on Sunday which would be another step forward in his recovery from elbow soreness. Kevin Gausman is scheduled to start Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay and is expected to throw around 75 pitches. He will likely need one more start before he will be ready to join the rotation.

Cuts: Luiz Gohara, Ian Anderson, Kyle Muller, Joey Wentz, Kolby Allard, Mike Soroka, Touki Toussaint

Bullpen Locks: Arodys Vizcaino, Jonny Venters

Arodys Vizcaino appears to have come through the spring healthy although his shoulder really hasn’t been tested in regards to workload. He and Jonny Venters both appear to be locks for the bullpen at this point.

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Competition: Jesse Biddle, Shane Carle, Luke Jackson, Chad Sobotka, Wes Parsons, Josh Tomlin

The rest isn’t nearly as clear which is why the Braves may opt to keep all four of their young starters and have them pitch in relief early on. Jesse Biddle and Shane Carle have been solid if unspectacular this spring. Chad Sobotka came into camp with a lot of momentum following his performance late in 2018 but he has struggled with walks and has been hit particularly hard this spring allowing eight hits and nine runs in just 8 2/3 innings. Essentially the same thing can be said in regards to Luke Jackson.

Dan Winkler was optioned on Sunday and has reportedly dealt with some elbow soreness as well this spring. He has only thrown 5 1/3 innings but hasn’t seen a lot of success either in that small sample. He will likely rejoin the bullpen mix down the road.

One reliever that has been impressive has been Wes Parsons who has allowed just five hits and struck out 15 in 13 1/3 spring innings. Josh Tomlin allowed three hits and one run over three innings in his debut on Saturday and just given the state of the bullpen competition, feels like he could be in the mix for a long relief role.

Injured: A.J. Minter, Darren O’Day

The good news is it seems that there is a bit of help on the way. A.J. Minter is scheduled to throw an inning in a minor league game on Monday and is hoping to return during the season’s first week. Darren O’Day is also scheduled to throw on Sunday which would be the first time he has done so since experiencing forearm soreness following his spring debut.

Cuts: Huascar Ynoa, Grant Dayton, Jacob Webb, Patrick Weigel, Thomas Burrows, Corbin Clouse, Tucker Davidson, Dan Winkler

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher Locks: Tyler Flowers, Brian McCann

Tyler Flowers and Brian McCann have been set as the team’s catchers since the start of camp but the Braves have to feel a little bit better about their depth given the performance of Alex Jackson during his stint in big-league camp. Raffy Lopez was optioned earlier this week and will begin the season at Gwinnett.

Cuts: William Contreras, Carlos Martinez, Jonathan Morales, Alex Jackson, Raffy Lopez

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Infield Locks: Ozzie Albies, Johan Camargo, Josh Donaldson, Freddie Freeman, Dansby Swanson, Charlie Culberson

No surprises among the infield group either as all appear to be healthy and ready for the regular season.

Others: Austin Riley, Andres Blanco, Pedro Florimon, Sean Kazmar Jr

Cuts: CJ Alexander, Luis Marte

Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Outfield Locks: Ronald Acuña Jr, Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis

Atlanta’s starting outfield is set but there is a question as to who will land the fourth outfielder job.

4th Outfielder: Matt Joyce

The Braves acquired veteran Matt Joyce from the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. He will likely see action in Sunday’s game and in both exhibition games at SunTrust Park on Monday and Tuesday. Joyce was reportedly willing to open the season at Gwinnett if necessary but it appears that it will be Adam Duvall who will be at Triple-A when the season begins.

Duvall’s struggles have continued into camp as he is just 7-for-41 (.171/.306/.317) with two doubles and two homers. He has eight walks against just seven strikeouts but the Braves were still looking for more of sign that a bounce back is possible.

Others: Cristian Pache, Ryan LaMarre, Rafael Ortega

Cuts: Greyson Jenista, Drew Waters, Adam Duvall

Opening Day Roster Prediction

Starting Rotation (5): Julio Teheran, Sean Newcomb, Max Fried, Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson

Bullpen (8): Arodys Vizcaino, Jonny Venters, Jesse Biddle, Shane Carle, Luke Jackson, Wes Parsons, Josh Tomlin, Chad Sobotka

Catchers (2): Tyler Flowers, Brian McCann

Infielders (6): Ozzie Albies, Johan Camargo, Josh Donaldson, Freddie Freeman, Dansby Swanson, Charlie Culberson

Outfielders (4): Ronald Acuña Jr., Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis, Matt Joyce

Injured List (5): Mike Foltynewicz, Kevin Gausman, A.J. Minter, Darren O’Day, Dan Winkler