Atlanta Braves: Spring Training Information

By Colin
Location: Champions Stadium- Lake Buena Vista, FLA
Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 14th
First Game: Feb. 26th
Schedule

Projected Opening Day Lineup

1. Josh Anderson
2. Yunel Escobar
3. Kelly Johnson
4. Chipper Jones
5. Brian McCann
6. Jeff Francoeur
7. Matt Diaz
8. Casey Kotchman
9. Pitcher

Projected Rotation

1. Derek Lowe
2. Jair Jurrjens
3. Javier Vazquez
4. Kenshin Kawakami
5. Tom Glavine/Jorge Campillo

Projected Bullpen

Miscellaneous: Jorge Campillo, Jeff Bennett, Buddy Carlyle, Phil Stockman, Eric O'Flaherty, Boone Logan, Jeff Ridgway
7th Inning: Manny Acosta
8th Inning: Rafael Soriano
Closer: Mike Gonzalez
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Key Battles:

There are only a couple of expected battles this spring. One is for the center field starting job and backup outfielder roles. The other main battle will be for the fifth rotation slot, for which Glavine is probably favored. The Braves have a bevy of outfield talent - left field is solidified somewhat with Griffey signed (he hits righties well, and will probably platoon with Matt Diaz, who absolutely rakes the ball against left handed pitching). That leaves center field open for anybody to win (right now Anderson is probably favored - he's speedy and will hit for average - probably the best leadoff hitter the Braves have), as well as some backup talent to come off the bench.

The main outfield candidates are Josh Anderson, Jordan Schafer, Gregor Blanco, and Brandon Jones. In 2-3 years, you may see an outfield that includes Jason Heyward, but that's not going to happen this year. Get used to the name though, he's one of the top prospects in baseball. Anderson is favored by many to win the CF slot. Blanco and Jones will probably battle it out for the bench spot as Schafer may be sent to AAA for more conditioning. That said, Schafer could come out of the gates blazing this spring and land the starting spot or a slot on the roster... I just wouldn't wager money on it right now. He's determined to make it to Atlanta soon, though. If Blanco and Jones are fighting it out for a spot on the bench, my money is on Blanco. Jones is a slow starter who can hit for power, though, so he could win a spot if all goes his way.

The fifth rotations spot has the usual contenders - Jo-Jo Reyes, Charlie Morton, and Buddy Carlyle. Mix in Jorge Campillo and Tom Glavine and they're going to have trouble landing a spot on the roster if they're not in the 'pen. Glavine probably has the edge here if he can pitch well in spring training. If by some fluke he doesn't land on the roster, Campillo is likely to get the call. He was surprisingly good last year and is the latest in the Braves' usual habit of resurrecting pitchers' careers. If Campillo doesn't get the 5th rotation slot, he'll get bumped to the bullpen, where he's VERY effective as a long reliever when necessary.

The position players are probably rounded out with Dave Ross (backup catcher), Martin Prado (IF), Greg Norton (IF/Clumsy OF), and Blanco/Jones/Schafer battling for one spot. If I had to guess, Ridgeway/Boyer/Acosta/Carlyle/Stockman/Logan/O'Flaherty are battling it out for three spots in the 'pen, which should be both pretty potent and well rested this year.

Bring on 2009! The Braves are retooled with an emphasis on pitching. Could it be 1991 all over again? Probably not, but we'll at least make a run at the Wild Card. Everybody I talk to in Atlanta is excited and looking forward to a great year of baseball!

Colin covers the Braves on his blog, BravesBlast

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