NORTH PORT, Fla. -- A little more than a month ago, I predicted Chris Bassitt would be part of Atlanta’s Opening Day roster. That was back before he signed with the Orioles and the depth concerns regarding the Braves’ rotation hadn’t yet accounted for the significant injuries Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep and Joey Wentz recently sustained.
Now, a couple of weeks before the season opener, I’m presenting another Opening Day roster projection for you to discuss, critique or describe as the greatest roster projection ever constructed.
Yeah, the projected rotation looks different. But losing Jurickson Profar to another PED suspension makes projecting the roster’s final position players just as challenging. Profar’s absence creates a need to find somebody to serve as the primary designated hitter, at least until catcher Sean Murphy and shortstop Ha-Seong Kim are activated from the injured list in May.
The Braves certainly want to enter the season with the strongest club possible. But when making these projections, remember that having or not having Minor League options often determines who gets the final roster spots. If the choice is between a player with options and one without, the latter will often get the nod because a team doesn’t want to risk losing him through the waiver process that is required before sending him to the Minors.
“That's a big part of these decisions, and these guys know that,” manager Walt Weiss said. “If they don't make the club and we're able to keep them in the organization, they know they’re still going to be a big part of what we do moving forward. We can’t throw away our depth in April.”
Here’s the latest Opening Day roster projection:
Infielders (6): 1B Matt Olson, 2B Ozzie Albies, SS Mauricio Dubón, 3B Austin Riley, INF Jorge Mateo, INF Kyle Farmer
Once Kim returns from his right middle finger injury, Dubón will become a super-utility player whose capability to play across the diamond will create chances for Weiss to rest his regulars whenever he feels necessary. Mateo’s speed will be valuable when he’s used as a pinch-runner. But you might also see him play shortstop late in games, when Dubón shifts to left field after Mike Yastrzemski is pinch-hit for against a lefty.
Farmer gets the nod over Luke Williams for the final spot because of his defensive versatility and the great clubhouse reputation he has created over the past decade.
Outfielders (5): LF Mike Yastzemski, CF Michael Harris II, RF Ronald Acuña Jr., OF Eli White, OF Ben Gamel
Just last week, I published projected lineups that included Dominic Smith as the designated hitter against right-handed pitchers. I’m now giving that role and roster spot to Gamel. Gamel simply provides more with his glove and bat than Smith.
Catchers (2) Drake Baldwin and Jonah Heim
The switch-hitting Heim will serve as a valuable backup until Murphy returns. Heim has struggled with the bat the past couple of years, but he also could be the best DH option against left-handed pitchers to begin the season. Or maybe the Braves will find a better DH option once teams finalize their rosters.
Starting pitchers (6): LHP Chris Sale, RHP Spencer Strider, RHP Reynaldo López, RHP Grant Holmes, RHP Bryce Elder, LHP Martín Pérez
The Braves play a game on 13 consecutive days to open the season. Even if Holmes and López weren’t returning from season-ending injuries, there would likely be a desire to carry six pitchers who have the capability of starting. Prospects JR Ritchie (Braves' No. 2, MLB No. 90) and Didier Fuentes (Braves' No. 3) could both have greater value than Pérez by the end of the season. But Pérez will at least try to create some stability as the prospects continue their development and Schwellenbach and Waldrep aim to return at some point this summer.
Bullpen (7): RHP Raisel Iglesias, RHP Robert Suárez, RHP Tyler Kinley, LHP Dylan Lee, LHP Aaron Bummer, RHP Joel Payamps, RHP James Karinchak
Ian Hamilton is out of options, so he would get the nod over the more impressive Karinchak if Hamilton had stayed healthy throughout camp. He has resumed throwing, but for now, we’ll guess Hamilton begins on the IL. Payamps was also behind, but he seemed healthy as he touched 96 mph in his spring debut Monday. If the team wants to go with six starters and a long reliever, Jose Suárez could get the last spot.