3 Atlanta Braves playing their way off the roster in spring training
By Tim Boyle
These Atlanta Braves players have had weak spring trainings and are getting moved down the depth chart because of it.
How much do spring training performances matter? For seasoned veterans who have continually proven themselves when games count, the results are far less important. The exact opposite could be said for borderline members of the roster. Candidates for the Atlanta Braves Opening Day roster and a few on the 40-man roster hoping to get there later this season are all being judged this March in games that don’t count. Right or wrong, some could be playing themselves off the roster.
The Braves do have some flexibility with the 26 players they carry with them into Opening Day. A bad couple of weeks in Florida shouldn’t have them designating too many players for assignment quite yet. Keeping a close eye on these three players should still be necessary as the club continues to evaluate them in the regular season. Their time on the roster may be short-lived if they don’t start playing better baseball.
3. Why Braves pitcher Bryce Elder is playing his way off the roster
Bryce Elder was very much in the competition for the fifth starter job in Atlanta. The 23-year-old did not have a good year in Triple-A last season but found success in the majors. The contrast was a big surprise. He went from possessing a 4.46 ERA in 105 minor league innings to a 3.17 ERA in his 54 frames. Although wilder and less able to strike out batters, the results were promising.
Elder’s bad spring took him out of the conversation for the Opening Day roster. In three starts and a relief appearance, Elder was 1-2 with a 6.17 ERA. He served up 3 home runs in his 11.2 innings. He did strike out 9 batters but it came with an additional 5 walks.
There are things Elder needs to work on in order to become a mainstay on the 26-man roster. As long as others stay healthy and productive, the Braves can be a little more patient. Not everyone finds such immediate and overpowering success as Spencer Strider.
Elder has already pitched his way off of the Opening Day roster. Now it’s up for him to stay in contention for innings.