Playing time trends for the Atlanta Braves
So far in spring training, the Braves are making some notable decisions about who plays where...and when
Unlike most of the time in spring training, there’s actually roster intrigue to figure out in Grapefruit League play this year.
The 4th and 5th rotation spots, while having established favorites in Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson, is still technically a competition1 between those two, Bryce Elder, and AJ Smith-Shawver.
The temporary right field job - remember, Ronald Acuña Jr’s trying to return by May 2nd at home against the Dodgers - is Jarred Kelenic as the favorite battling against a platoon with Bryan De La Cruz.
The middle infield is somewhat of an actual competition. Favorite Nick Allen, acquired via trade this offseason, is trying to hold off a handful of veteran, Rule 5, and other inflexible backup options.
Luke Williams and Eli White are battling for the utility/pinch-runner job.
And someone is hoping to separate via mitosis from the mass of Johnny Wholestaff2 to take a bullpen spot to open the season.
With only four games under our belt, what can we learn about who - and when - is playing where in spring?
Nacho Alvarez hasn’t played shortstop once
I’ve previously written that Nacho Alvarez is Atlanta’s most important prospect for 2025 simply because they need to figure out if he’s actually a shortstop. With Orlando Arcia having only one more year of team control after 2025, coming via club option, there’s an open question about what the team does in 2026 - is Nacho Alvarez an actual shortstop candidate, or are they hoping one of the young international hitters like John Gil is ready for the majors?
Well, Alvarez hasn’t played shortstop once this spring.
He’s made two appearances, going 0-5 with a walk and a strikeout, but both of them have come at third base. I’ve had some folks tell me their belief is that the team’s trying to let Nick Allen go ahead and lock down the backup infield job now, but that logic doesn’t quite track to me - we know Allen’s one of, if not the best infield defender on the roster already. His offense is the question - the guy’s never consistently hit in the majors and never hit for power as a professional.
It’s too early to call it, but if Alvarez doesn’t get into any games this week as a shortstop, especially if Allen’s not in the lineup, you likely have your answer as to their thoughts of his defense.
A right field platoon looks likely
And it’s Eli White’s fault.
White, who Anthopoulos has described as a “Gold Glove-caliber outfielder”, is working in the infield this spring as he attempts to showcase his versatility. He’s out of options, so whatever it takes to make the roster, right?
But what that does is change his bucket, from the “backup outfielder” bucket to the “utilityman” bucket.
This kills the Luke Williams.
White’s predominately played at second base so far this spring, but he’s looked GOOD while doing it - he’s 4-4 with a walk in his five plate appearances. That matters, as this team rewards strong spring performances. Dylan Dodd earned an Opening Week start in 2023 off of his spring, while Forrest Wall got an Opening Day roster spot thanks to flashing in Grapefruit League action last spring.
Conversely, Williams has started in left field and also seen time at second base, going 0-5 and just looking…fine out there.
And if White sticks as the final man on the roster in that utility role, it has implications for the outfield battle. Jarred Kelenic is making the roster as the primary starter in right field, but it’s increasingly likely that under the ‘Eli White, utilityman’ scenario, Bryan De La Cruz also has a roster spot and mans the short side of that platoon.
And let’s be clear: That is the best-case scenario here. BDLC has a career .270 batting average against lefties, 24 points better than against righties and roughly the same sort of platoon split that Kelenic has for righties (28 points).
Roster moves are already happening
On Tuesday afternoon, the Braves sent four down to minor league camp - Hurston Waldrep and Dylan Dodd were officially optioned down, while Enoli Paredes and Royber Salinas were reassigned to minor league camp.3
But that doesn’t mean the final bullpen spot is settled, at all. Everyone else has looked pretty impressive so far in spring so this is very much still an open competition.4
If I had to make a projection now5, it’s probably Angel Perdomo, Jake Diekman, and Buck Farmer getting the final three spots in the pen. That can change rather quickly, though - the stuff of Rule 5 pick Anderson Pilar looked good on Monday, while some of these other veterans like Dylan Covey and Wander Suero aren’t going to go quietly.
It’s really not, though, unless Ian Anderson has more rough starts like Sunday
I’m proud of this joke
Guys not on the 40-man roster - Paredes and Salinas - don’t need to be optioned while anyone with a 40-man roster spot needs to either be optioned down or DFA’d.
And for the record, Waldrep hasn’t looked bad - his spring ERA is 0.00 and he didn’t even give up a hit - he just hasn’t looked good, what with still struggling to throw strikes and all.
We’ll probably do a new roster projection on Friday