Reasons for optimism and pessimism surrounding the Braves

The Braves took the first game against the Reds at Truist Park behind the best start of A.J. Smith-Shawver’s career, but the series over the weekend against the Dodgers is still fresh in the minds of many. Which makes it the perfect time to play both sides of the fence.

Pessimism: Non-existent depth

Everywhere on the roster, there is virtually no depth. The outfield is thin. The bullpen is thin. The rotation is thin. If one of the Braves’ regulars goes down with an injury in any of those areas, Atlanta will be left scrambling, which one could argue Alex Anthopoulos is already doing.

The club’s GM has been recycling bottom-of-the-barrel relievers and bench pieces in hopes of one sticking, and it’s gone about how you’ve imagined — DFA’ing and re-signing Jesse Chavez over and over again.

The Braves have to somehow avoid any more injuries, which is something they haven’t been able to do in more than a calendar year. Injuries happen. That’s why insurance depth is so important. This reason for pessimism is especially concerning because it’s something nobody has any control over.

About the only area where the Braves could sustain an injury and not completely fall off is the catcher/DH position. The combination of Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin give the Braves some security there, and if somehow Marcell Ozuna goes down, one of the catchers can DH in his absence.

Optimism: Emerging Contributors

Braves fans have been spoiled when it comes to finding diamonds in the rough and surprise emergences. Whether it’s resurrecting Tyler Matzek‘s career or one of the many youngsters who have flown through the farm system to provide an impact in Atlanta, Alex Anthopoulos has a knack for finding value where others don’t.

We just saw one last night. A.J. Smith-Shawver had a no-hitter going into the eighth inning, and though he couldn’t make history, the excitement for his future is palpable. If AJSS can find some consistency, it’ll go a long way in stabilizing the rotation.

The 22-year-old isn’t the only one, though. Eli White and Nick Allen should not be expected to be this impactful for an entire season, but picking up the Braves right now has directly resulted in more wins.

Alex Verdugo, on the other hand, is playing himself into a prominent role for the rest of the season, regardless of what Jurickson Profar provides when he returns from suspension.

How about Grant Holmes too? Atlanta’s own Kenny Powers has arguably been the club’s most consistent starter, even if his ERA doesn’t suggest so.

Pessimism: We don’t know what Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider will provide

A lot of Braves fans, including the one writing this, believe the club just has to piece things together until their two best players return from injury. And that’s all good and well, except we actually don’t know what Ronald Acuna Jr. and Spencer Strider will give the Braves when they do return.

Acuna is now making his way back from his second torn ACL, and the first time, he was a shell of himself when he returned. Over 119 games post-ACL, he had a .764 OPS. That’s a far cry from his 1.012 OPS he had the following season when he won MVP. If the Braves are banking on Acuna carrying the club, that’s not exactly a sound plan.

Strider, on the other hand, has returned, and though a hamstring injury sidelined him again, the flamethrower had lost a couple of ticks on his fastball. Sure, he could just need to ramp it up, and perhaps he’s not redlining to save his arm, but 95 mph looks much different than 99-100 mph. That’s a big deal for the Braves ace.

Maybe the pair comes back and doesn’t miss a beat, but there’s also a chance that Strider and Acuna return and struggle.

Optimism: This isn’t the final form of the Atlanta Braves

The Braves are welcoming Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer Strider, Jurickson Profar, and whoever else they acquire at the trade deadline into the fold. That’s a much different-looking team than what Brian Snitker currently trots out. Even more, some key pieces like Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II are not playing up to their standard.

It’s all about playing your best ball at the right time. The Braves need to obviously get into the postseason, which isn’t necessarily a given at this point, but once they get in, they have as good of a shot as any club as long as they’re healthy.

It’s May. The Braves will continue to evolve over the next four months or so.

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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire

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