NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Michael Harris II tallied a team-high 16 hits and posted an .813 OPS during last year’s Spring Training and then produced an MLB-worst .551 OPS before the All-Star break. Spencer Strider struck out 35 of the 88 batters he faced over six Grapefruit League starts in 2024 and then made just two regular starts before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery.
The exhibition season seldom gives us a clear picture of what will transpire during the six-month regular season that follows. But while the stats and results don’t necessarily matter, Spring Training games give players a chance to make proper preparations, and they give teams a chance to evaluate their players before making final Opening Day roster decisions.
Here are a few things to follow regarding the Braves, who open their Grapefruit League season against the Rays on Saturday afternoon at Charlotte Sports Park.
How will the rotation look at the start of the season?
Greg Maddux and Jesse Chavez aren’t walking through that door any time soon. Just kidding. We all know Chavez will be back, even though he and Ron Washington are now members of the Giants’ coaching staff.
But seriously, barring any additions, the primary question surrounding the rotation is whether Bryce Elder or Joey Wentz will fill the fifth spot. Quite honestly, though, it shouldn’t matter. The Braves play on 13 straight days to begin the regular season. Seems like the perfect spot to use a six-man rotation.
Elder and Wentz are both out of options. The importance of keeping them both within a suddenly pitching-thin organization grew when it was learned Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep will both spend at least a couple months recovering from elbow procedures.
If all goes well, Chris Sale, Strider, Reynaldo López, Elder, Wentz and Grant Holmes could begin the season as the six-man rotation. Next on the pecking order is Martín Pérez, a 2022 All-Star who is looking to bounce back from an injury-tarnished season, or Carlos Carrasco, who has a 6.36 ERA since the start of 2023.
Are Holmes and López healthy?
So far, so good for both of these rotation candidates. Holmes missed last season’s final two months because of right elbow discomfort. An MRI showed a partial tear in both his ulnar collateral ligament and flexor tendon. The hurler believes the UCL tear might have been pre-existing. His belief has been supported by the 95 mph heaters and great sliders he has thrown during his first two live batting practice sessions.
As for López, he made just one start last year before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery to clean debris from his right shoulder. The 2024 All-Star pitcher’s fastball sat around 93 mph and touched 94 mph during Thursday’s live BP session.
While both of these pitchers currently look healthy, the real test will come as they begin pitching once every five or six days, especially when the adrenaline maximizes during the regular season.
Who will fill the final bullpen spots?
Elder or Wentz would become bullpen candidates if a six-man rotation isn’t used, or used only for a brief period. But for now, let’s say the bullpen will include closer right-hander Raisel Iglesias, righty Robert Suarez -- the NL leader in saves last year with San Diego -- plus righties Tyler Kinley and Joel Payamps and lefties Dylan Lee and Aaron Bummer.
Righty Daysbel Hernández and lefty Dylan Dodd are prime candidates for a spot, but they both have a Minor League option remaining. So, there’s a good chance out-of-options veteran Ian Hamilton would get one of those final two spots ahead of either Hernández or Dodd.
Who will fill the final bench spots?
With the Royals expected to start left-hander Cole Ragans, there’s a good chance Eli White will be the Braves’ Opening Day left fielder. Atlanta’s primary left fielder, Mike Yastrzemski, will sit against left-handers and Jurickson Profar will be primarily used as a designated hitter, at least during the early part of the season.
Could the Braves upgrade over White, who is capable of playing every outfield spot at a plus level? As for the final bench spot, Kyle Farmer seemingly has an edge over Luke Williams.
But with all of the pitching woes, would it be wise to carry Williams? Just kidding. Enjoy the Grapefruit League season.