Predicting the Braves' Opening Day roster

February 10th, 2019

ATLANTA -- At some point over the next six weeks, injuries, improvement or regression will inevitably alter the plan nearly every Major League club brings into Spring Training. The Braves must decide exactly how to round out their rotation and bullpen, but for now it looks like they won't have any position-player battles. Here's the first prediction of how Atlanta's Opening Day roster might look.
Catcher (2): and
McCann has distanced himself from last year's knee surgery, and Flowers was happy to experience an offseason that didn't include surgery. But the Braves are rolling the dice with two over-30 veterans
First base (1):
Freeman leads all MLB first basemen with the 15.8 fWAR he has produced since the start of 2016.
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Second base (1): .
Albies' struggles from the left side of the plate may lead to drawing some starts on the diamond's right side.
Third base (1):
Camargo will also occasionally spell Donaldson, who produced MLB's second-best bWAR from 2013-17 and then missed most of last season with a left calf strain.
Shortstop (1):
Camargo and Albies are the primary backup options for Swanson, who showed offensive progress before battling pain in his left wrist, which was surgically repaired in November.
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Outfield (4): , , ,
Acuna and Duvall are options to occasionally spell Inciarte in center. Camargo will introduce himself to the outfield during Spring Training. But for now, it appears Duvall and will be the primary backup outfielders
Utility (2): Camargo and Culberson
Culberson proved to be the only valuable asset on last year's bench. This year, he'll share the super-utility distinction with Camargo, a skilled defender who was Atlanta's third-most productive offensive performer after he became the primary third baseman in late May.
Starting pitcher (5): , , , , Touki Toussaint
The Braves will essentially have a six-man rotation as they attempt to routinely give their starters an extra day of rest while routinely shuffling their optionable prospects from Triple-A Gwinnett's roster to a spot within Atlanta's rotation. Toussaint or will likely get the first crack in the rotation as the Braves may take a cautious approach with and provide more time to develop.
Relief pitcher (8): , , , , , , , Chad Sobotka
Unlike Biddle, Winkler and both have a remaining option, meaning they can be sent to the Minors without being placed on waivers. The same goes for Sobotka, but given what was seen in September, it would be tough not to give him a spot. If manager Brian Snitker wants a multi-inning option, one of the Opening Day spots could go to Fried or .

This is the first predicted version of the Braves' Opening Day roster. Updated projections will be provided a couple of times throughout Spring Training.
CATCHERS
Brian McCann
Tyler Flowers
INFIELDERS
Freddie Freeman
Ozzie Albies
Dansby Swanson
Josh Donaldson
OUTFIELDERS
Ronald Acuna Jr.
Ender Inciarte
Nick Markakis
Adam Duvall
UTILITY PLAYERS
Charlie Culberson
Johan Camargo
STARTING PITCHERS
Mike Foltynewicz
Sean Newcomb
Kevin Gausman
Julio Teheran
Touki Toussaint
RELIEF PITCHERS
Arodys Vizcaino
A.J. Minter
Jonny Venters
Darren O'Day
Sam Freeman
Jesse Biddle
Chad Sobotka
Dan Winkler