3 Biggest Questions Braves Face During Coronavirus Shutdown
By Michael Luciano
The Atlanta Braves, despite once again going into the year as one of the favorites to take home the NL Pennant, still have quite a few burning questions to answer. Finding solutions, however, will take a lot longer than previously suspected now that the entire league is currently frozen due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. With the sporting world on hold, Atlanta needs to try and find some clarity as it pertains to these three issues.
3. Who Will Start At Third Base?
The Braves' biggest competition in their starting lineup is at third base, as Atlanta could go with the consistent, veteran option in Johan Camargo or the raw, toolsy youngster in Austin Riley, who slammed 18 home runs in limited action last season. Camargo has the higher floor, but Riley's potential is limitless. Both of these players have resumes worthy of a starter, which makes this essentially a coin flip for Brian Snitker.
2. Who Will Be Named the Fourth and Fifth Starters?
The Braves seem committed to giving Felix Hernandez a shot at making their rotation, and he seems to have an inside track on joining Mike Soroka, Max Fried, and Cole Hamels on the staff. Mike Foltynewicz faces some legit competition for the No. 5 job from lefty Sean Newcomb, while some top pitching prospects like Kyle Wright, Ian Anderson, and Bryse Wilson can't be ruled out as potential starters. When the season does eventually get underway, don't be surprised if the rotation is still sorting itself out.
1. What Will The Bullpen Look Like?
To paraphrase the old saying, if you have three closers, you don't have a closer. Will Smith was given a ton of money and is likely expected to handle ninth-inning duties, but it would be a disservice to Mark Melancon and Shane Greene to rule them both out as potential closers. Beyond that, the likes of Luke Jackson and Grant Dayton in the middle innings do not, and should not, give Braves fans tons of confidence. When play resumes, the Braves will likely figure out which members of the bullpen are worth keeping around via trial and error.