Outfield competition creates great depth for Atlanta Braves
A lot of people questioned whether or not Alex Anthopoulos failed to make a significant upgrade to the Atlanta Braves left field position this past offseason.
Instead of signing someone like Andrew Benintendi or Michael Conforto, Anthopoulos decided to hope that Eddie Rosario has a bounce-back season further removed from eye surgery.
And if that doesn't work out, he brought in several fourth outfielders in hopes that one of them has a breakout season in Atlanta.
That's a lot riding on hope.
But if there is one thing Braves fans should know by now -- it's to trust Alex Anthopoulos.
It's only been 18 spring training games (including two games against World Baseball Classic teams), but just about every outfielder brought in has been impressive.
You can't stop Eli White
An 11th-round pick by the Oakland Athletics in 2016 out of Clemson, Eli White was a big piece sent to the Texas Rangers as part of a move that sent Jurickson Profar back to the A's.
Despite a .279/.358/.416 slash line over parts of six seasons in the minors, White has yet to stick at the big league level with chances over the past three seasons.
One aspect of his game that has been there throughout is his elite speed and great defense. A small sample size, but in nearly 300 innings in the outfield last year for the Rangers he had 7 DRS (defensive runs saved), 4.5 UZR (ultimate zone rating), and 5 OAA (outs above average).
White attempted to make some swing changes during the season last year and has continued to work on those changes more diligently during the offseason.
Again, a short sample size, but he currently leads the Braves with 11 hits this Spring, including 2 doubles, a triple, and 3 home runs.
All of that while walking four times and striking out just three times in 24 Grapefruit League at-bats. He also had a double in 3 at-bats against the Dominican Republic.
With the plus tools he already possesses, if the bat comes around we could be looking at that potential breakout candidate for the Braves in 2023.
However, even as impressive as he's been this Spring, he might not crack the 26-man roster to open the season because he has minor-league options left.
Sam Hilliard is earning the job
Yes, Sam Hilliard is out of minor league options and likely gets a roster spot by default for that reason, but he's also earned the opportunity in Spring Training.
Hilliard is tied with Matt Olson, and just behind White, for second on the team in hits this Spring with 10. He has 3 doubles and a home run.
However, Hilliard does have 10 strikeouts in 28 at-bats, which is tied for the most on the team along with Ryan Casteel and Joe Dunand.
Like White, Hilliard has an impressive .276/.350/.495 slash line over parts of seven minor league seasons but has yet to translate that into big league success.
Should Eddie Rosario falter, Hilliard will be waiting in the wings to become that left-handed part of a platoon in left field and DH.
Kevin Pillar's veteran presence
One thing we know about the Atlanta Braves, Brian Snitker, and Alex Anthopoulos is they highly prioritize team chemistry and veteran leadership.
From players like Nick Markakis to Charlie Morton, they believe it's important to have those glue guys in the clubhouse.
Even last year you can make the argument that one of the only reasons Guillermo Heredia remained on the roster all season is because of the great clubhouse chemistry he created.
That's not to say that the 34-year-old Kevin Pillar isn't deserving of a roster spot, but it could be a primary factor if he is on the Opening Day roster.
Kevin Pillar hits a home run against the Boston Red Sox in spring training action
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Pillar is just 5-25 this Spring with a couple of home runs, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts. But his 10 years of big league experience, including six years as an everyday player, give him an edge.
Jordan Luplow coming on late
An oblique injury delayed Jordan Luplow's start to spring training and it's had to be tough watching all of these other outfield candidates get off to hot starts.
But he's come on strong since returning with 3 hits in 7 at-bats, including a pair of doubles.
Luplow has the strongest arm of all the outfield candidates but is likely limited to a corner outfield role.
The 29-year-old right-handed slugger seemed like a good bet to win a roster spot coming into Spring because of the damage he's done against lefties in his career.
Over parts of six big league seasons, he has a .841 OPS against left-handed pitching.
But similar to White, Luplow might not make the Opening Day roster because he has a minor league option left. But on a performance and impact level, you could make the case he's more deserving of a roster spot than Pillar.
Coming out of nowhere -- Forrest Wall
When Spring Training started not many people (including myself) remembered that the Braves signed former first-round pick Forrest Wall to a minor league deal with an invite to camp.
But he quickly put the Braves, and fans, on notice with an impressive showing early this Spring going 7-21 with 3 doubles, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts, 5 stolen bases, and 8 runs scored.
Those stats don't include the game against the Dominican Republic in which he was 2-3 with 2 stolen bases.
Wall is a career minor leaguer at this point, but if he continues his hot Spring into the minor league season, we could see him make his big league debut in 2023.
The new rule changes might be a big benefit to him as he has 209 career stolen bases in the minors, including 52 last year at Triple-A in 120 games.
Who's it gonna be?
While there may not be an everyday player in this group, they've proven in Spring Training that the depth in the outfield is solid.
And perhaps the swing adjustments for White are real and he figures it out offensively.
Maybe Wall proves he can consistently get on base at a .340 clip as he has in the minors and then uses that speed and the new rules to become a weapon.
Certainly, the hope for the Braves is Rosario can see again and gets back to being the .800 OPS player he has been for the majority of his career and another 20 home run bat in the lineup.
But if that doesn't happen, you have to feel pretty good about the alternative options the Braves have brought in.
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