NORTH PORT, Fla. — The Braves defeated the Orioles 6-5 in a rain-shortened affair Monday. There were several encouraging developments as the team evaluates its roster possibilities with less than three weeks until opening day.
Eli White a spring standout
Outfielder Eli White has two options remaining, but he’s making a strong argument to make the Braves’ initial roster. White has hit .435 (10-for-23) with a 1.500 OPS this spring.
White, 28, launched two homers Monday against the Orioles. He has three this spring, one-third of his career total. White came to camp after an offseason geared toward adjusting his swing mechanics, and those changes appear fruitful thus far.
The South Carolina native spent parts of the last three seasons with Texas, though he was limited to 48 games last season due to injury. He was considered a good defender and baserunner who lacked offensive punch – any step forward in that department would make White a notably more valuable bench player.
He’s seizing this opportunity with a new club, trying to earn a role on one of baseball’s better rosters.
“He (has a well-rounded skill set),” manager Brian Snitker said. “He can play center field. If he hits, you see the power. Evidently, you look back, he hasn’t really put it together yet, but you never know. Guys keep playing, they keep figuring things out, eventually one day it clicks and you’ve really got something.”
Braden Shewmake’s improvement
Shortstop Braden Shewmake was outstanding Monday, making a couple high-level defensive plays and also tripling off the wall. He showed his full capabilities: Shewmake, 25, is considered a plus defender with good speed and growing offense. As he shows more power, it’s easier to envision Shewmake as an everyday player. He already has a higher baseline thanks to his defense and fluidity.
He’s hitting .333 (7-for-21) with a .915 OPS this spring. Shewmake, a 2019 first-round pick, looks prepared to help the major-league team soon.
Dylan Dodd pitches four scoreless
Southpaw Dylan Dodd is among other standouts this spring. He logged four more scoreless innings Monday and hasn’t allowed a run in Grapefruit League play across three outings (he gave up five runs against the WBC Dominican Republic team but that isn’t officially counted in exhibition play). He’s struck out 11 and walked none in those outings (8 ⅓ innings).
Dodd, 24, was an unheralded prospect who encouraged last season as he climbed three minor-league levels and finished in Triple-A Gwinnett. Dodd appears on track to pitch in the majors sometime in 2023. He’s made a positive impression during the exhibition season.
“Really good again,” Snitker said. “You look at (Jared) Shuster, you look at him, there’s a lot to like in both those guys. He was really impressive again. Just the mound presence, he keeps the game slowed down it seems.”
Jared Shuster making things interesting
As Snitker referenced, the lefty Shuster is having a superb spring – one that’s vaulted him into the fifth-starter discussion. After impressing again Sunday, Shuster has a 1.04 ERA in three games (8 ⅔ innings). He’s struck out nine and walked one.
The Braves drafted Shuster, 24, in the first round (No. 25) of the 2020 draft. He’s made sizable improvements over the last year, with one person in the organization remarking how different he looks from even a year ago. Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder have been the focal points of the fifth-starter competition, but Shuster has forced himself into the conversation.
Even if it isn’t with the initial roster, it seems likely Shuster joins Shewmake and Dodd as prospects likely to make their MLB debut this season.
“Shuster, Dodd, Shewmake; it’s really cool to see our young players (having success),” Snitker said.
Tuesday’s schedule
The Braves will start Elder against the Phillies in Clearwater. It will be Elder’s fourth appearance (third start) as he vies for a rotation spot. Ace left-hander Max Fried (and reliever A.J. Minter) will pitch on the backfields at the team’s North Port facility.
