40-MAN ROSTER PECKING ORDER FOR BRAVES

The 40-man roster of the Braves is completely filled. The Braves let go of (or passed through waivers) Kevin Pillar, Sam Hilliard (claimed on waivers), Jesse Chavez, Ben Heller, Andrew Velazquez, Jackson Stephens, Eddie Rosario, Brad Hand, Kirby Yates, and Collin McHugh to create room for all the guys on the 60-day injured list. Throughout the summer, AA will undoubtedly be adjusting his 40-man roster by adding and subtracting players. Rule 5 Draft protection will be the first move, but who will be the first to go? I don’t know what will happen, but if a 40-man spot is required, there’s a sizable group that will probably be cut first.

THE BRAVES PECKING ORDER 40-MAN ROSTER

Luke Williams: Selected as depth, Luke carried a.053 BA and saw 19 PAs in 2023 between two organizations. He is undoubtedly at the top of the hierarchy.

Kolby Allard: The Braves brought him back for no reason at all; after pitching a solid one game, he became Old Kolby again. He missed the remainder of the season due to a shoulder ailment, and I doubt that AA sees much benefit in keeping him around till 2024.

Yonny Chirinos: was not very good last year and has zero options. The Braves need starting pitch depth right now, but Chirinos has no options, which is probably going to be his downfall.

Chadwick Tromp: Tromp spent the entire season on the 40-man roster and still has a 2024 option, but third catchers are plenty.

Allan Winans: Although Winans has been an excellent addition to the MiLB system and has proven that he is a useful player when called upon, I don’t see the organization keeping him in the lineup if their 40-man spot is required.

Braden Shewmake: The Braves will hold onto Shewmake because SS depth is valuable, but he is not unreplaceable in an emergency.
Michael Tonkin: A productive innings eater for the 2023 campaign, Tonkin is likewise without choices.

Dylan Dodd: With his quick skills and 95 mph velo, Dodd appeared to be the second coming in spring training. I will never again trust ST radar guns after that.

Shuster, Jared: Why do the Braves always draft better in the later rounds and have such a terrible first round performance? Before getting drafted, Shuster was supposedly hitting 95–96, and he hasn’t touched it since.

In conclusion, the Braves require an LFer, an SP, and possibly another OFer. They also probably need to get another RP. Of these nine, at least three will be eliminated. At the absolute least, four of the players on this list will be playing baseball in other organizations by 2024. AA may attempt to trade some of the 40-man fillers in order to make place.