Who Should Get The Final Bench Spot to Open the 2024 Season?

The Atlanta Braves have a decision to make about the 26th spot on the active roster

The Atlanta Braves have answered most of the pending roster questions with over a week left in spring training. 

5th starter? Answered, it's Reynaldo López over Bryce Elder, confirmed after Elder was optioned to AAA Gwinnett earlier this morning. Backup outfielder? Answered with the signing of Adam Duvall, who will work as the short-side of a platoon with Jarred Kelenic.    

And so the only real question is that of the final bench spot, seemingly down to the trio of Luke Williams, David Fletcher, and Forrest Wall. Let's go through the possibilities to figure out the best potential choice: 

INF/OF Luke Williams

Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Main argument: Defensive versatility
Spring stats: 4-29, 1 HR, 4 RBIs  

Williams, 27, spent time with both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta last season, appearing in a combined eleven games. Williams is well-traveled, having played for five major league teams since debuting in 2021. He's also incredibly versatile, having played every single defensive position except for catcher at the major league level (as well as pitching an inning of relief for the Dodgers). 

And that versatility is why we've consistently been picking him to be the final man on the bench in our roster projections this spring - Luis Guillorme is your primary infield backup, Adam Duvall is now your primary outfield backup, and Williams can cover almost every position on the diamond in their stead.  

INF David Fletcher

© Mike Lang / USA TODAY NETWORK

Main argument: Past history at shortstop & higher offensive ceiling
Spring stats: 11-34, 0 HRs, 3 RBIs

Fletcher, who has (fun fact alert!) never hit a spring training home run in 301 career at-bats, has played all over the infield this spring. But his bread is buttered in the middle infield, with 448 combined games up the middle - 301 at second base, 147 at shortstop. Were Orlando Arcia to miss any extended time, Fletcher's the obvious choice to replace him at shortstop. 

But will Atlanta carry a 2nd infield utility bat with just Duvall (and potentially Marcell Ozuna) available for the outfield? 

It's important to note that Fletcher does have 164.2 career innings in the outfield, but most come in 2019 with the Los Angeles Angels and none since the end of the shortened 2020 season. 

Additionally, if you're not going to get very frequent major league play time, is it a better decision to send Fletcher to AAA Gwinnett where he can play every day and be fresh if the need arises in Atlanta? 

OF Forrest Wall

Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Main argument: Speed/stolen base prowess, defensive ability in outfield
Spring Stats: 10-30 w/ 3 HRs, 10 RBIs, 3/4 SBs

Wall's in a precarious spot with the signing of Duvall, because now he's faced with the prospect of being the 5th outfielder over the 4th outfielder. And that comes with a different set of expectations and much-lowered ability to find playing time. 

Is it worth keeping Wall on the MLB roster when he might only be utilized to pinch-run once a week? Or is everyday playing time in AAA Gwinnett the best course of action here? 

Who would we pick for the final bench spot? 

If it's me, I'm taking Luke Williams. While there's some everyday players who could fill in at other positions - Marcell Ozuna has been working at first base and Travis d'Arnaud made some starts there with the Rays in 2019 - Williams' defensive versatility gives Atlanta the most options to replace a player mid-game. Besides, he's used to sitting on the bench and being used only occasionally (he got in a total of seven games in Atlanta last season), a routine that's difficult for some younger players to acclimate to.

Who would you pick for the final spot on the bench? Let us know!