Predicting The 2017 Opening Day Atlanta Braves Bullpen

The Braves Bullpen Has Options, But Tonight…We’re Doing Predictions

Every MLB team is in the same boat right now — they’re all trying to decide on their final roster spots for their bench and their bullpen. The Atlanta Braves are 100% in this position.

With two weeks remaining in the 2017 Spring Training season, (Braves have 12 games left and one exhibition game) the Braves and the front office still have many decisions to make. The bullpen choices are the ones we’re going to be looking at tonight.

Braves general manager John Coppolella loves to make moves…especially under the radar when no one is looking. Hell, a new signing could happen as I’m typing this. But we can’t think like that right now. I’m going to be looking at who currently is in the Braves camp.

With All Things Considered

While filling out my table below on my predictions, I took many things into account.

Cuts are right around the corner as well. We heard from the beat writers that they’re probably coming “later this week” and guess what? It’s later this week.
Injuries in this sport happen all the time, but we can’t speculate on those. So I’ll just go off who’s currently injured.
Where they’ve pitched before. What’s the highest level the relief pitcher has pitched and is he ready for the MLB.
How they’ve done this Spring Training. Performace is key when determining last minute roster spots.

Who’s The Competition Where Debating?

Let’s take a look at who’s currently still on the Atlanta Braves spring training team. This is as of Thursday, March 16, morning. I’m going to update the table once announcements are made.

[table id=65 /]

The Braves Have Locked In Guys

Atlanta has a few names already locked in. Unless a complete blow up, a trade or an injury these pitchers are locked into the Braves 2017 opening day bullpen.

I’ve got four names that are in…

Braves manager Brian Snitker has mentioned that he’d like to keep eight arms in the bullpen to start the season. So that means we have four more names to decide on.

That’s easy, right? From the chart above, we have 16 other pitchers still on the team with potential to make the OD roster.

With cuts right around the corner, I think we can immediately remove two names — not because of performance — Max Fried and Patrick Weigel will be sent to minor league camps. Two young, great Braves prospects, but will be starting the season in the minors.

I also think A.J. Minter and Armando Rivero can be removed from the ST rosters. Neither have pitched yet this spring training. Rivero has been dealing with shoulder soreness and Minter has had soreness in his forearm. Minter threw a bullpen yesterday, but his next step is to throw to live hitters and then in a game. Still a little ways and the Braves don’t want to rush him.

Down to 12 pitchers for four spots. All right, we can do this!

Braves added left-handed pitcher Kevin Chapman off waivers earlier this week. He just got to Orlando from pitching in the World Baseball Classic for Team Canada. He has yet to pitch for the Braves, but should be ready to throw. He’s also out of options so he either makes the team on OD or is tried to squeeze through waivers.

More from Braves News

Braves pitchers Aaron Blair and Matt Wisler came into Spring Training hoping to compete for the fifth starting spot in the Braves rotation. Unless something crazy happens, neither will be in the OD rotation. A bullpen spot is possible, but I don’t see that happening.

The veterans haven’t done great so far this spring. We still have 12 more games to see these pitchers throw, but so far the vets haven’t pitched great.

John Danks, Blaine Boyer and Chaz Roe haven’t really impressed. Boyer and Roe pitched well today, but I think it’s going to take a heck of a couple more appearance to make the team. Danks may get one more shot, but I think he’s cut pretty soon.

So that leaves me with six pitchers to fill in four spots. Let’s show you my chart before we go any further…

[table id=66 /]

The chart above shows the two other guys that I think won’t make the team. That’s Akeel Morris and Paco Rodriguez.

Two pitchers that I really like, but Paco hasn’t pitched in a real game in about a year and a half. He’s appeared in three games so far this ST and has allowed three hits, one run, two strikeouts and one walk.

Morris has also appeared in three games, but has thrown four innings, allowed three hits, one run, seven strikeouts and three walks. He’s only thrown 2/3 of an inning with the New York Mets in 2015 above the Double-A level.

So let’s cover my tracks. Here are my eight bullpen arms to start the season.

Long Relief – Josh Collmenter

Righty Option – Jose Ramirez

Righty Option – Luke Jackson

Lefty Option – Ian Krol

Lefty Option – Eric O’Flaherty

7th Inning Man – Mauricio Cabrera

Setup Man – Arodys Vizcaino

Closer – Jim Johnson

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Those are my thoughts on the Braves 2017 opening day bullpen, what are yours? We definitely have some time left, but everyone likes doing predictions, right?

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