With the Super Bowl happening last Sunday only means one thing for baseball fans…that baseball is right around the corner. The chill of the air will soon be gone, and the crack of the bat will soon be heard among all 30 MLB stadiums. Wednesday was Valentines Day 2024, and Braves pitchers and catchers reported for duty in North Port, Florida as well as a few notable everyday players as well. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud was spotted riding around on his scooter, while 1B Matt Olson was seen walking into the complex with his signature backwards hat on. Most everyday players have already shown up to camp.
The Braves 2024 starting nine is pretty much set. General Manager Alex Anthopoulos is confident in his lineup. He hopes to have free agent from the Seattle Mariners LF Jarred Kelenic play full time in left field. Anthopoulos wants to move away from a platoon in left field and would like this plan as well as have LF Marcell Ozuna full time as the designated hitter. There will not be any position battles because everyone on this team knows there role with the lineup set.
The top four spots in the rotation is set with LH Max Fried, RH Spencer Strider, LH Chris Sale (FA from Red Sox), RH Charlie Morton. Right hander Bryce Elder is an option for the fifth spot, he had a great first half last year but struggled in the second half. Elder had more playing time last year due to Fried’s injury. A good spring for Elder could lock up the fifth spot in the rotation.
According to Anthopoulos “The Braves have a weak bench” going into spring with LF Eddie Rosario now being a free agent, LF Kevin Pillar signing a minor league deal with the White Sox. Can’t forget SS Vaughn Grissom (traded to Red Sox) who was up and down last year from the minors, but was used more for his bat than his fielding. Anthopoulos will need to strengthen the bench, and one player that could be reunited for a third time is OF Adam Duvall.
Day one of camp had the pitchers and catchers warming up and being introduced to new coaches. Third Base Coach Ron Washington has taken the manager job for the Los Angeles Angels and he took 1B coach Eric Young, Sr with him to be their bench coach. Tom Goodwin is new 1B coach, Matt Tuiasosopo new 3B coach.
Day two brought about players getting some hitting in as RF Ronald Acuna, Jr took to the cage.
It’s not a secret I want to be a Brave for life
Ronald Acuna, Jr
With Acuna, Jr being a fan favorite and loving playing for the Braves, Acuna, Jr want to be a Brave for life.
The Braves suit it up for their first spring training game on February 24 against the Tampa Bay Rays
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