Atlanta Braves Joe Benson Takes Another Step Closer To Making The Opening Day Roster
By Jeff Schafer
The Atlanta Braves announced on Thursday afternoon that they have added outfielder Joe Benson to the non-roster invitation list. Does that sound a little strange to you? Well, it should.
Most teams, with only three days left in the 2015 Spring Training season, are reducing the size of their rosters to get ready for opening day. Not making additions. This situation is a little different though.
The Braves signed Benson in January and invited him to the minor league camp. Over the course of different situations…Melvin Upton Jr getting injured, Joey Terdoslavich having a nagging hand injury and Fredi Gonzalez obviously not trusting Todd Cunningham in his outfield, the Braves brought up Benson to the major league camp.
To learn about Benson in depth, check out the article Fred posted on his a few months ago when the Braves first signed him.
Benson is a 27-year-old outfielder that can play all three outfield positions for the Braves and he has a little pop in his bat. He hit 10 homers in 2014 with Jacksonville and had a homer for the Braves yesterday off Phillies starter Cole Hamels. Below is the video of the home run.
So what does this mean? Not really much for the time being. As David O’Brien mentioned on Twitter, Benson will now have his own locker in the clubhouse but this does not guarantee him a spot on the Opening Day roster.
These last three games will be crucial for both Benson and Cunningham as it seems like these two will be battling for that final bench spot.
The Braves play the Baltimore Orioles tonight and Benson is in the starting lineup, batting second and playing left field.
Other points to reference on a Thursday afternoon
-Braves option reliever Brandon Cunniff to Triple-A Gwinnett
-Braves left-handed relief pitcher Josh Outman saw doctors in Atlanta earlier this week and they told Atlanta’s organization that the X-Rays and MRI were inconclusive but there is no structural damage in shoulder. He’ll go see another specialist in St. Louis soon.