With opening day around the corner, here are my takeaways from Braves camp:
1. Yes, Ronald Acuna is that great
It’s reached the point that Braves manager Brian Snitker doesn’t have much to say: “Yeah, the kid’s pretty good.” He mummers some variation after each jaw-dropping Acuna performance. A visiting national writer left Sunday’s postgame interview likely disappointed by the lack of detail in Snitker’s response when asking about baseball’s No. 1 prospect.
But what more can he say? Acuna was among the better players in Florida before he was sent to minor league camp Monday. Baseball politics will keep him away from Atlanta temporarily, but his probable mid-April debut will hoist exhilaration comparable with Jason Heyward’s introduction on opening day 2010.
It’s OK to be disappointed that the prized 20-year-old won’t begin in the majors. But we knew that almost certainly would be the case (the reasoning and consequences are understandably debated).
The AJC's David O'Brien explained why the Acuna decision was the right one.
2. Ozzie Albies is on his way to stardom
Albies is primed to be a force at the top of the Braves’ lineup. He’s hitting .314 (16-for-51), playing excellent defense at second, flying around the bases and displaying the same unexpected pop he showed after his 2017 call-up.
It’s not just gap power. Albies blasted two no-doubters (from both sides of the plate) against the Pirates on March 16. He’s hit some mammoth shots in batting practice. And sure, it’s batting practice. But Albies is generously listed at 5-foot-9, 160 pounds. He’s not supposed to out-slug anybody.
I believe you’re looking at an All-Star sooner rather than later. This season might be the one that puts him on everyone’s radar. The dude’s simply fun to watch.
3. The Dodgers provided more than salary relief
The Braves traded Matt Kemp to the Dodgers to clear money for next winter and beyond. But that wasn’t the only benefit.
Brandon McCarthy adds a much-needed veteran to the rotation. He’s pitched well, but needs to stay on the field, something he hasn’t done much of the past two seasons.
Plus, he’s a delight to cover: straight-shooter and dry-humored. Certainly lives up to his Twitter account. He’s already helping younger pitchers, including guys who aren’t in the immediate plans.
Utilityman Charlie Culberson is another positive. The Rome native provides versatility and might add more with the bat than expected. Hitting coach Kevin Seitzer is a huge fan.
Culberson manned first base Sunday, an interesting note as the Braves consider who’ll primarily backup Freddie Freeman.
Scott Kazmir hasn’t done much to outright win a roster spot, but given the roster and financial circumstances, he may well make the first 25-man unit. They won’t need a fifth starter for the first couple of weeks, so Kazmir would begin as a long-reliever and go from there.
4. The bullpen is coming along
The bullpen shouldn’t be the liability it was at times last season. It could even be an eight-man strength if a few things break right.
The bullpen produced the fifth-highest ERA (4.58) in 2017. Its 1.1 WAR (wins above replacement) was fourth-lowest. The deadweight is gone and competition should make for a better group.
They return a trio of at least semi-reliable veterans in Arodys Vizcaino, Sam Freeman and Jose Ramirez.
Peter Moylan, on his third stint with the team, is probably on the roster after leading the American League in appearances in 2017. Dan Winkler feels 100 percent healthy after enduring two elbow surgeries.
Once-promising prospects Lucas Sims, Aaron Blair and Matt Wisler are competing for one of two openings in a long-relief role.
Oh, and this guy will help:
5. A.J. Minter will close soon enough
Minter has looked sharp, striking out nine against one walk in the 6 1/3 innings he’s thrown this spring.
“He’s had a good spring, quietly,” Snitker said Sunday. “He’s been healthy, and the stuff is playing really well. It was kind of a rehab year for him last year. So he comes to camp with no strings on him, and it looks really good.”
It’s a matter of time before the lefty takes the closer role. Vizcaino, the incumbent, may not even do anything to lose it. Minter has the ability to showcase dominance that would just take it.
6. Luiz Gohara disappointed
At ChopFest in late January, Snitker and Freeman said they couldn’t wait to see Gohara in camp. He was the pitcher garnering the most excitement.
Gohara was injured running sprints in the first week of spring, then suffered another setback and won’t return until May.
The latest injuries won’t quiet concerns about his conditioning, be them a direct effect or not. Gohara seemed primed for a big year after impressing in five September starts. Now all the Braves can do is wait and hope nothing lingers. A bit of a buzzkill for a guy some view as an ace-caliber arm.
7. Sean Newcomb encouraged
The hard-throwing lefty came to camp swearing to be more aggressive. He’s done so, pitching a couple of gems and earning a 2.35 ERA in five starts.
Snitker confirmed Newcomb secured a rotation spot last weekend. He’s using his change-up more, growing comfortable with his off-speed pitches to more consistently get ahead in counts.
As pitching prospects rise through the system, Newcomb sometimes gets overshadowed. If his control has improved, cutting down the walks, he could be in for a solid sophomore year.
8. Depth still isn't quite there
Lane Adams experienced a nightmare spring, almost playing his way out of a job. He’s been better of late and could still retain his roster spot, though it may cost him playing time.
Third baseman Rio Ruiz hasn’t stood out much. The team likes utilityman Danny Santana, but he’s a known unspectacular commodity.
Supposed power-hitter Ryan Schimpf, an early March addition, was 0-for-30 with 19 strikeouts before the Braves optioned him to minor league camp Sunday. That dice roll resulted in nothing.
The Braves won’t easily replace any of their regulars when the inevitable injuries strike. Culberson is promising, and Preston Tucker has done enough with the bat to hold serve until Acuna’s arrival, but one reason the team is an unlikely wild-card contender is the lack of depth.
9. Mike Soroka might be your ace
He didn’t win the headlines as Acuna did, but Soroka won over a major-league clubhouse like few 20-year-olds can.
Soroka’s velocity sits in the low 90s, but catcher Tyler Flowers insists it stings like a bee. His change-up will end up his best weapon, players opine. His makeup, maturity and commitment had many around the team raving.
You could make the case Soroka would be the team’s third best starter right now, in my eyes. He might be up in September, if not sooner.
I spoke with Soroka and people in the organization about how he's made such a strong impression.
10. There's a wide spectrum of outcomes for the 2018 Braves
The Braves are putting a lot of faith in the unknown. The prevailing thought is they win 75-81 games and attempt to accelerate their clock next offseason.
But what if Dansby Swanson’s 2017 wasn’t a fluke, and what if Albies’ late-season breakout and spring training are? Maybe Acuna finally learns what a slump is. Outside Freeman and Ender Inciarte, the lineup has questions.
If Julio Teheran’s home struggles continue, McCarthy’s trapped on the disabled list and Mike Foltynewicz can’t find consistency, all within the realm of possibility, the rotation is in shambles.
Then again, maybe the youth prospers, the rotation is steady and the Braves increase their win total for more reasons than beating up on the hapless Marlins.
This Braves team’s ceiling feels around 82 wins. Its floor could put it near last season’s mark, which, even though the team did little to improve on that group, would be a letdown.
If the youth ripens, it could exceed modest expectations, making next winter all the more intriguing.
Either way, they should be an interesting watch.
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