What precisely are the Atlanta Braves as much as at catcher?
As Sean Murphy progresses in his rehab project at Triple-A, his return to the 26-man roster look more likely to occur inside the subsequent 7 to 10 days. The fractured rib he sustained after being drill by an errant pitch in Spring Coaching precipitated him to overlook Opening Day and accelerated the timing of high prospect Drake Baldwin’s main league debut.
Baldwin has regarded good behind the plate and within the batter’s field. He conventional stats don’t present it; however the underlying metrics and the old fashioned eye ball take a look at present a participant who, at 24-years-old, is able to stick on the massive league roster.
Chadwick Tromp, the workforce’s third catcher the previous few seasons, was slated to start 2025 as Atlanta’s back-up to Murphy – however as an alternative, he has been that for Baldwin. Tromp is out of choices – and he may be out of a roster spot when Murphy returns.
Which returns to the query of what precisely are the Braves doing behind the plate?
Coming into Spring Coaching, the workforce introduced again Sandy Leon – an 11-year MLB veteran – as catching depth. He was with Triple-A Gwinnett final season and returned there this 12 months. The workforce introduced in, and launched, fellow 11-year vet Curt Casali throughout Spring Coaching.
After passing on Casali, the workforce introduced in one more 11-year veteran in James McCann. McCann spent most of his profession as a starter – earlier than transitioning to a back-up within the final couple of seasons – however had lingered on the free agent market like fellow Braves signees Alex Verdugo and Craig Kimbrel.
Then on Thursday, the workforce picked up Jason Delay in a commerce with the Pittsburgh Pirates after he was designated for project. Delay was a back-up for a number of seasons with the Pirates, however has a shorter MLB resume that the opposite main members of the Braves Triple-A catching corps.
No workforce can have an excessive amount of depth – bear in mind the 2021 Braves used seven catchers in the course of the season – however with Murphy soon-to-return, Baldwin prepared for normal taking part in time now, McCann a viable massive league back-up choice, Leon at Triple-A, Delay being despatched to Double-A and Tromp a potential DFA candidate, it could possibly be nothing greater than the Braves insulating themselves from accidents and the lack of Tromp.
However might it’s one thing else?
With the Braves having an unsettled outfield state of affairs with Ronald Acuña, Jr. but to return from final 12 months’s knee surgical procedure and beginning left fielder Jurickson Profar suspended for 80 video games for PEDs, the Braves are working with presumed back-ups pressed into beginning obligation at each outfield corners.
Might the addition of Delay add credence to the likelihood that the workforce is contemplating attempting Drake Baldwin in left discipline? In the event that they wish to hold his bat within the line-up, would possibly the workforce do what they did with Evan Gattis in 2013 or for a single recreation (earlier than reversing course) in 2022 with William Contreras and shift the catcher to the outfield?
Picture by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Photos
After an 0-7 begin to the season and with Acuña, Jr. no less than six weeks away, the Braves might choice Baldwin to the minors for a few weeks when Murphy returns and convey again Baldwin if he reveals the flexibility to deal with and outfield place within the minors.
Baldwin was a hockey participant in highschool and the Braves has proven a willingness to play a sub-par defensive outfielder in left discipline – together with including Profar as a free agent who just isn’t identified for his defensive prowess.
Might it’s a commerce?
It appears outlandish to suppose that the Braves might transfer on from Murphy after signing him to an extension upon his arrival through a commerce from Oakland. However, if the Braves suppose Baldwin is prepared now – and if they’ve a workforce enthusiastic about Murphy – might Atlanta roll with Baldwin and Tromp or McCann? Once more, that appears unlikely, however given the workforce’s seemingly sudden lack of payroll flexibility and wishes within the bullpen, rotation and outfield, it’s believable even when unlikely.
Perhaps it’s simply depth, proper?
Atlanta deciding to go along with Murphy and Tromp, including Delay to McCann and Leon with Baldwin heading again to Triple-A to catch every single day appears … unlikely?
The Braves going with Murphy and Baldwin appears the obvious route at this level however might consequence within the group shedding Tromp to a different workforce. That looks as if the almost definitely choice.
So it’s in all probability simply depth.
Except it’s not.
