Projected Playoff Roster

M

McCann'sCans

Gwinnett Bound
Now that we've wrapped up the division, starting to think more and more about what the playoff roster is going to look like. There are obviously quite a few locks, but also quite a few unknowns around the edges that I'll be curious to watch pan out over these last couple of weeks.

Starting Pitchers
1. Max Fried
2. Spencer Strider
3. Charlie Morton
4. Bryce Elder

I'd probably advocate for Strider in a Game 1/3 and Fried in a game 2/5 of the NLDS, but this group seems pretty much set in stone at this stage. I don't expect Elder to make a start until the NLCS given the off days in the NLDS.

Bullpen
1. Raisel Iglesias
2. AJ Minter
3. Pierce Johnson
4. Kirby Yates
5. Brad Hand
6. Joe Jimenez
7.
8.
9.

I imagine it will be similar to 2021 where the top 6 guys get the vast majority of the innings. Right now, I would expect the last three spots right now to be Chavez (assuming a healthy return), Anderson (assuming a healthy return), and probably Tonkin? Especially in the NLDS with Elder as a bullpen option. But guys like Wright, McHugh, AJSS, and Heller might be included here especially if we're looking for more length out of the bullpen like we had with Smyly, Wright, Davidson, etc. in 2021. Maybe the Hurston Waldrep fantasies come to fruition. This is probably the piece of the roster that I'm most curious about.

1. Ronald Acuna
2. Ozzie Albies
3. Austin Riley
4. Matt Olson
5. Marcell Ozuna
6. Eddie Rosario
7. Sean Murphy
8. Travis d'Arnaud
9. Michael Harris
10. Orlando Arcia
11. Kevin Pillar
12. Nicky Lopez
13.

Seems like Forrest Wall is the likely pick for that last spot as a pinch runner. I'm not even sure who else would be in the running there- Tromp?

Curious what others think.
 
Yeah, I don't think we'll have too many questions. I think Tonkin and Wright (if there are NO setbacks) are near locks. I also think Heller makes it but I could see someone like Vines with a wipe-out changeup who could come in handy.
 
I think Winans could be a dark horse candidate. Can eat innings and strike guys out. Has done nothing but shove for all but like one start. Can’t see Waldrep… he’s been shaky in AA
 
I think Wright is on the staff if he shows he has command of the breaking ball the rest of the way. I am not sure about Chavez or Anderson since we haven't seen them pitch yet and there are like 15 games left. Tokin/Winans will be one (coin flip).. that leaves one spot I am not sure about Jackson could also be that spot.

I think Fried is game 1 then Strider. I would imagine Mort game 3.. but wright and Elder could surely make a case the rest of the way.

I think I am back with others that Wall probably gets the last bench spot. Speed is always important in extras.

What a position to be in to have 15ish games to just play the audition role for the fringe spots left.
 
UNCBlue012 said:
Yeah, I don't think we'll have too many questions. I think Tonkin and Wright (if there are NO setbacks) are near locks. I also think Heller makes it but I could see someone like Vines with a wipe-out changeup who could come in handy.
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Man if Wright can get work back into form, this pitching staff is dangerous. We would pushing Elder into a relief role. Imagine having one of your starters not having his best stuff for a game in the playoffs and reaching early into your pen to grab 3.5 bWAR starting pitcher to come in for relief. Just unreal.
 
Also I have flipped on the last roster spot too. I think Wall is the choice here given his speed.

I initially thought we'd go Adrianza due to position flexibility, but we're unlikely to pinch hit more than once in a game and the 1st batter off the bench will likely be whoever doesn't start between Rosario/Pillar/TDA/Murphy. The only added bonus to having Lopez as pinch hitter is that he is a LHH. We should only see him in the game if we have a large lead and want a better defender at SS.
 
Carp said:
Also I have flipped on the last roster spot too. I think Wall is the choice here given his speed.

I initially thought we'd go Adrianza due to position flexibility, but we're unlikely to pinch hit more than once in a game and the 1st batter off the bench will likely be whoever doesn't start between Rosario/Pillar/TDA/Murphy. The only added bonus to having Lopez as pinch hitter is that he is a LHH. We should only see him in the game if we have a large lead and want a better defender at SS.
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Wall is Billy Hamilton redux and that aspect can't be ignored in the off-season. Braves only have one platoon and Lopez covers all the IF positions. At one juncture, I thought third catcher given d'Arnaud could slide into the DH role if necessary, but that seems superfluous. Boils down to whether they want a bat or speed, but with the DH, there's so little need for an extra bat.

It's rock-paper-scissors on the last three bullpen slots. Probably need one surefire multiple-innings guy, but other than that things look pretty equal among the candidates.
 
The position players are all locks unless there is an injury. Adrianza would only have a chance to make the roster if Albies Arcia Riley or Lopez got injured and then only as a backup.

For the pitchers if Wright shows he is healthy he'll be on the roster. Tonkin is also likely a lock. Chavez and Anderson are looking like long shots to be ready at this point.

That leaves 1 spot for 1 of Jackson/Winans/Shuster/Vines with Adam Kolarek as a possible dark horse.

Vines and Winans seem redundant with Wright on the roster. Shuster is a LHP that could pitch potentially act as an opener or pitch some bulk innings.

Jackson was on the playoff roster last year and can pitch multiple innings.

Kolarek is a LHP in AAA that the Braves could look at if they want a 3rd LHP on the roster but aren't comfortable with Shuster.
 
Rotation will be Fried, Strider, Elder most likely. But honestly, if we are 1-1 or 0-2 going into game 3, I trust a bullpen game more than I trust Elder. Especially against the Phillies.

I could see a piggy back situation where they start with Elder for an inning or 2, then to Wright for an inning or two, then Stephens/Chavez to bridge to the later innings.
 
Curious if Winans' performance last night keeps him off the roster. Given the question marks around the starting pitching, the Braves are going to need a couple of multi-inning relievers and I guess it's going to boil down to how the staff values age/experience versus raw stuff.
 
50PoundHead said:
Curious if Winans' performance last night keeps him off the roster. Given the question marks around the starting pitching, the Braves are going to need a couple of multi-inning relievers and I guess it's going to boil down to how the staff values age/experience versus raw stuff.
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I don't think Winans makes a lot of sense on the NLDS roster. He seems more of a fit on the NLCS roster as a 4th starter if Morton still isn't available.
 
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