Many teams across Major League Baseball enter spring training with at least one starting position up for grabs. If a team doesn’t have a clear void in their lineup then that’s obviously a good sign for fans of that said team. The Atlanta Braves certainly qualify amongst one of those strong contenders that can pencil have numerous stars throughout their batting order.
However, that doesn’t mean the Braves’ will be coasting through spring training without evaluating some players for important roles on the 26-man roster. Yes, it’s true no starting job is available in the lineup, but Atlanta’s bench is about as open as it gets entering 2025.
Numerous players are battling for the chance to fill those four available bench spots, but after just a weeks worth of spring games we’re already starting to see which players are leading the pack for these important backup jobs.
“It was a dream come true. I grew up a Braves fan in South Carolina, so I always dreamed of moments like this”
Eli White after hitting his first home run in a @Braves uniform🔊 pic.twitter.com/nN0m351l0q
— FanDuel Sports Network South (@FanDuelSN_SO) July 7, 2024
Eli White and Bryan De La Cruz starting to rise above other possible bench pieces
Chadwick Tromp (or whoever they choose for backup catcher) stands as the lone bench piece that feels like a lock as of March 1st. The remaining three spots can be divided up several ways, but Eli White and Bryan De La Cruz are playing their way into near locks as well.
Eli White strengthened his case earlier this spring with his willingness to add infield defender to his resumè. White’s case has been boosted after a weeks worth of games thanks to some nice defense and a hot start at the plate (reached in 5 of his 7 plate appearances).
Meanwhile De La Cruz is showcasing why Anthopoulos targeted him as a potential platoon partner with Jarred Kelenic for the regular season’s first month. He’s hit the baseball hard early on this spring and already has a couple doubles to show for.
Guys like Nick Allen, Christian Cairo, and Luke Williams are far from out of the race so far, but it’s clear they seem to be battling each other for the final bench spots as White and De La Cruz look to be on a mission to make the Opening Day roster.
