Five questions for Braves if you prepare for spring training

Spencer Schwenbach was good as a rookie, but the Braves recently have a story of young jugs that could not remain effective after strong debut strings. If Schwenbach is the exception and returns striders without any problems, the good only has to make a starter No. 5. Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson are the best options on the 40-man squad. Search for the good to add another experienced pitcher for the insurance to the spring manager.

2. Who will be the top setup man from Braves Bullpen?

The right -hander Joe Jimenez was one of the best men in baseball last season. He will probably not accept this year after knee operation in October. Jimenez was second to Raisel Iglesias under Braves -Relievers last season in an average lever index, which means that they treated the most difficult situations. Snitker and pitching trainer Rick Kranitz can use spring to find out which reliever gets the first recording to cope with these important innings this season.

The right -handed Pierce Johnson and Lefty Aaron Bummer are the leading candidates. Johnson put together a 3.67 ERA over 58 appearances in 2024, while 28.4% of the batteries were exposed to. Bummer had a similar strike set (28.3%) with less spent walks and home -luns. Lefty Dylan Lee enjoyed a bounce back season in 2024, so this year he could be ready to play a larger role that he did for Braves in 2022.

3. Will Braves Prospect Drake Baldwin become a No. 2 Catcher?

Travis d’Arnaud and Sean Murphy separated the tasks in the last two seasons when both were healthy. The Braves rejected a team contract option for D’Arnaud, which had signed with the angels. It may be a big loss. D’Arnaud wore offensive production for his position in 2024 when Murphy did not find his shape after his return from the injured list.

Chadwick Tromp is the top candidate who replaces D’Arnaud as a co-catcher by Murphy, but Baldwin is in the coming. Baldwin, who left on the left, produced in 75 games in Triple-A Gwinnett in the last two seasons in 75 games with a low strike and high walk rates. Tromp has published an OPS of 0.635 in 156 Big League Plate.

4 .. Will the Braves stay in Shortstop at Orlando Arcia?

I suspect that you will do it, but something that General Manager Alex Anthopoulos said during a media conference caused my attention. While he explains why he expects the new Outfield Jurickson Profar to improve the depth of the installation, Anthopoulos said: “We went into the last season when boys like Orlando were nine. Now, when everyone is healthy, you can see him (again) in the nine hole. “

The braves could use more than an offensive subsequent thought in Shortstop. Arcia’s good defense in 2024 was not nearly compensated for his percentage of 0.271 in the base, which was lowest under shortstops with 300 or more plate appearances. The braves don’t seem to have a better option on the 40-man service plan or under the spring invitations. Arcia will earn 2 million US dollars this season. On Friday there were still some decent shortstops for free agents, including Jose Iglesias and Paul Dejong.

5. When will Spencer Strider and Ronald Acuna Jr. be ready?

Anthopoulos said neither strider nor acuna will be at the opening participation. Both players will be in the camp. Playing the schedule for your return will have a big impact on the season. The Braves still played the playoffs last season, and Acuna only played 49 games and Strider only made two starts. But to do a serious World Series, the BroVes need good health for the 2023 NL MVP and 2023 MLB Strikeout King.

Strider threw Bullpen meetings in January, so that he will probably be able to set up in Grapefruit League games. Acuna was operated on in June to repair an ACL tear in the left knee. He returned nine months after the ACL surgery in the right knee in 2021. This time Acuna will take at least 10 months.