What can be definitively said is this: the 2020 season will be interesting. Even the Marlins could surprise some people. That’s even more true in the highly competitive NL East, where the defending champion Nationals, Mets, and Phillies are all expected to be competitive. In such a short season where variance will have much more of an impact than usual, it’s tough to definitively declare favorites. He’ll be backed by Shane Greene and Will Smith while Chris Martin, Luke Jackson, Darren O’Day, and Grant Dayton help bridge the gap to the eighth and ninth innings. Melancon is entering his 12th season and will get the first crack at regular save opportunities. It lacks the star power that other contenders have, but the Braves hope their experience will more than make up for it. The back of the Braves’ bullpen may be the team’s biggest weakness. Hamels is currently battling a triceps injury, so his status is up in the air. 5, currently between Sean Newcomb and Josh Tomlin. The 22-year-old will lead a staff that includes veterans Mike Foltynewicz and Cole Hamels, as well as Max Fried and an as yet unknown No. Mike Soroka was quietly dominant last season, going 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA and 142 punchouts over 174 2/3 innings, finishing second in Rookie of the Year Award voting. The Braves would love it if Dansby Swanson or Austin Riley break out or Puig has a 2014-esque season as well. Ozzie Albies will be second in command, looking to build on his 2019 in which he racked up 43 doubles, 24 homers, and 15 stolen bases. And that might be what the Braves need him to do. He is only 22 years old but has already proven himself capable of carrying a team on his back. He followed up his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2018 by smacking 41 homers and stealing an NL-best 37 bases last season, finishing fifth in NL MVP Award balloting. The Braves’ offense will be reliant first and foremost on center fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. The Braves replaced Markakis on Tuesday by signing free agent outfielder Yasiel Puig. First baseman Freddie Freeman is also a question mark as he battled COVID-19 and it was a harrowing experience, enough to influence Markakis to sit out the season. Markakis elected not to play while Donaldson signed with the Twins in free agency. With the exception of outfielder Nick Markakis and third baseman Josh Donaldson, the Braves are bringing back largely the same roster that won 97 games and the NL East title last season. For now, though, here are who we expect to be on the Braves roster to begin the season: Catchers: In light of that, there is a great degree of latitude for which specific players will break summer camp. Teams will be permitted to add a 27th player for doubleheaders. Two weeks later, rosters must be reduced to 28 and then, two weeks after that, they must be reduced to 26. When the season opens on July 23-24, teams can sport rosters of up to 30 players, with a minimum of 25. First up: The Atlanta Braves roster and schedule: BRAVES ROSTER (projected) Between now and the start of the season, we’ll be giving quick capsule previews of each team, reminding you of where things stood back in Spring Training and where they stand now as we embark on what is sure to be the strangest season in baseball history. He is small but quick enough to avoid those big hits and would be a threat to score a touchdown on every return.The 2020 season is now a 60-game dash, starting on July 23 and ending, hopefully, with a full-size postseason in October. Ozzie Albies would be a fun player to watch field punts and kickoffs. He will snap the ball and take off down the field to make a tackle on punt coverage. He is in his mid-30s and, much like every MLB catcher, he has no fear. Travis d'Arnaud just feels like he would excel as a long-snapper. Personally, I am glad he chose baseball, it would be much less fun watching him as a punter. They say he could have had a future booting the football if he would have chosen football over baseball. He was an excellent punter in high school, apparently. I also didn't want to have four quarterbacks on the depth chart.Īs for Austin Riley, there is every reason to play him at punter. Many kickers have played into their 40s, so it seemed like a logical spot to insert the curveball specialist. Listen, I have no idea why Charlie Morton is at kicker, I didn't know where else I could put a 39-year-old veteran pitcher. We have a brand new special teams unit for the Atlanta Falcons and it is exciting.
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