Atlanta Braves 2019 Projected Roster

As the Braves continue on and come towards the end of their rebuilding process, it is evident that many pieces on the 25-man roster will not be around to see its end. A majority of their talent and future ball club lies in their farm system, which is ranked as one of the best among Major League Baseball. When Atlanta begins play at SunTrust Park next season, glimpses of their future lineup may be on display. Many pieces of the puzzle have already been figured out and it’s just a matter of time before they’re in The Show. From Mississippi Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson to Rome Braves pitcher Touki Toussaint, Atlanta’s future is bright and beginning to take its shape. Now, we will take a look at the position players on the Atlanta Braves 2019 projected roster.

Projected Starting Lineup

1. Mallex Smith, CF

Mallex Smith made his debut for Atlanta on April 11 of this season and took over the starting center fielder role. On June 22, just over two months since his debut, Smith suffered a broken thumb on his right hand causing him to be placed on the DL. Smith was expected to miss 8-10 weeks but after being reevaluated his return was pushed back to September. At only 23 years of age, Smith is expected to be the future for the Braves in center field. Expect him to bounce back from this injury and prepare himself for the future rather than this season. With his blazing speed and a consistently high OBP, Smith will be placed at the leadoff spot to set up hitter friendly situations.

2. Dansby Swanson, SS

Dansby Swanson could easily be found in the 2-hole or even in the 6-hole in the Atlanta lineup. He’s the Braves’ No. 1 overall prospect and is destined to be in the Majors. Dansby seems to be the likely candidate as the starting shortstop for the Braves once he is promoted. Swanson has plus-speed and can cover a lot of ground in the 5-6 hole and up the middle. He has the potential to hit for power in the Major Leagues. He won’t put up 30 home run seasons but he is a consistent hitter who has the ability to spray the ball in the gap as well as over the fence.

Swanson has spent his 2016 season split between the Class A Carolina Mudcats and the Class AA Mississippi Braves. He’s hitting a solid .276 overall with eight home runs and 49 RBI. Regardless of his spot in the order, expect Dansby to be the starting shortstop for Atlanta in the 2019 season.

3. Freddie Freeman, 1B

Freddie Freeman has been the one familiar Brave on the roster alongside Julio Teheran during the Braves rebuild. In his six seasons in the Majors, he’s compiled a .284 average in conjunction with 122 home runs and 466 RBI. He’s also added consistency at the plate with an OBP of .367. Freeman has been placed in the three hole for most of his career and it seems likely that he remains in this spot in the lineup. With Freeman being only 26 and proving his worth to the Braves over the years, expect him and his $135 million contract to be in Atlanta until at least the 2021 season.

4. Matt Kemp, LF

With a trade being completed to bring Matt Kemp to Atlanta, he is presumed to take over in left field for the Braves. Kemp is signed through the 2019 season and if his production remains where it is now, he will be the left fielder in Atlanta until his contract runs out. Currently Kemp is hitting a modest .262 in addition to 23 home runs and 69 RBI. The power that Kemp will bring to the lineup with significantly help the Braves’ run production. Aside from Freddie Freeman, no Brave has hit more than eight home runs this season. Over the last two plus seasons Kemp has slugged 25 home runs, 23 home runs and 23 home runs.

5. Austin Riley, 3B

Austin Riley is considered to be the Braves’ No. 13 overall prospect and the only third basemen out of their top 30 prospects. Riley recently turned 19 in April and started out the 2016 playing for the Class A Rome Braves. Before being drafted in 2015, many teams liked him as a pitcher but the Braves favored him at the hot corner. Riley is currently batting .269 and adding in 10 home runs with 50 RBI. Riley’s bat has a ton of pop and the Braves hope he can provide them with the power they need to go along with sluggers Freddie Freeman and Matt Kemp.

6. Ozzie Albies, 2B

Ozzie Albies, formerly known as Ozhaino, is currently ranked as the Braves’ No. 2 overall prospect. In this season split between Mississippi and Gwinnett, Albies has hit .301 while racking up four home runs and 38 RBI. At just 19 years old, Albies has no rush to be in Atlanta but he is deemed to be the future of Atlanta’s middle infield core. While Albies is short in stature at 5’9″, he’s the captain of the infield and strong with quick feet and speed. Albies is a switch-hitter with tons of energy whose defense at short is above-average and a strength in his game.

With Atlanta’s No. 1 prospect being shortstop Dansby Swanson, a move to second base for one of them is imminent. Seeing as Swanson was a number one overall pick and an extremely established shortstop in college, it seems as if a move to second base for Albies is more likely to occur.

7. Ender Inciarte, RF

For Atlanta, Ender Inciarte could be the starting right fielder for years to come after the departure of Nick Markakis occurs. With the combination of the young depth Atlanta could have patrolling the outfield and the fact that Markakis will be 35 and a free agent in 2019, expect the two to part ways then or even earlier. Inciarte, who’s only 25, may very well be in Atlanta during this time. He’s currently signed to a one-year deal but eligible for his first year of arbitration following the season’s end. With the Braves he’s hitting .242 at the plate with one home run and 12 RBI.

8. Free Agent Signing, C

With Atlanta, their one question mark is at the catching position. They have no clear cut prospects to take over the position in the future. When it comes to acquiring catching in free agency, the Braves have the potential to acquire former Georgia Tech baseball player Matt Wieters or current Washington National Wilson Ramos.

Lucas Herbert has been a prospect that could have the potential to lock down the catching spot for the Braves. This season he’s struggling at the plate with a .188 average. The Braves still believe that Herbert can be an everyday starter with his agile ability, above-average arm strength and great leadership ability. Unless Herbert’s average and production turn around, anticipate a free agent to secure the catching position for Atlanta in 2019.

Projected Bench

Dustin Peterson, OF

As the Braves No. 18 overall prospect, Dustin Peterson has a chance to become part of Atlanta’s young outfield core in the upcoming seasons. He joined the Braves organization in the off-season before the 2015 season as another piece of the Justin Upton trade. Peterson’s 2015 campaign was full of ups and downs and along the way he showed glimpses of his power. He’s one of the better right-handed bats in the farm system and has shown why he was a second round draft pick.

With Peterson’s power at the plate comes a high number of strikeouts. He’s leveled out his strikeouts with his plate discipline and high number of walks. However, for Peterson to be successful in the Majors he will need to lower his strikeout rate. For the Mississippi Braves, Peterson is currently batting .297 with eight home runs and 71 RBI.

Travis Demeritte, 2B

Acquired from the Rangers just last week, Travis Demeritte is already listed as the Braves No. 9 overall prospect. During his first professional season in 2013, he slugged 25 home runs and drove in 66 runs. Demeritte was suspended 80 games for violating the MLB’s PED policy in 2015. Demeritte was dealt to the Braves for pitchers Lucas Harrell and Dario Alvarez.

In 93 games this season between the Rangers’ and Braves’ affiliates, Demeritte has batted .263 with 25 HR and 60 RBI. He has unusual power for a second basemen and can draw a high number of walks. With a strong arm and average speed, he was originally drafted as a third basemen. Demerite was later converted to second by the Rangers. With Ozzie Albies potentially moving to second for the Braves, don’t rule out the possibility of Demeritte moving back to the hot corner. Although there is no telling whether Demeritte will be dealt elsewhere, there is no doubt he will be on the Braves’ roster by the 2019 season.

Ronald Acuna, OF

Adding Ronald Acuna to the roster in 2019 would add more outfield depth that would help the Braves in case of injury. Acuna was acquired in 2014 out of Venezuela during the international signing period. His first season of professional ball was a success and in 2016 he was promoted to full season Class A Rome before missing time due to a thumb surgery. Acuna has the tools that could mold him into a solid Major Leaguer. He has the ability to hit for extra bases and his power will only improve as he gets older. He can work counts efficiently and use his speed on the basepaths as well as in the outfield.

Acuna is currently playing for the Class A Rome Braves and hitting .300 with two homers and 13 RBI in just 30 games. Acuna may not be patrolling the outfield for the Braves everyday in 2019 but he can add depth and bat during pinch-hitting situations.

Lucas Herbert, C

For the sake of the 25-man roster, it will be assumed that Lucas Herbert will not be the starter for the Braves in 2019.  Due to the Braves lack of catcher stability now, they will more than likely try to secure a starting catcher for years to come sooner rather than later. Herbert is the only catcher out of the Braves’ top 30 prospects. He was selected by Atlanta with the 54th pick of the 2015 MLB Draft and is currently playing for the Class A Rome Braves.

As stated earlier, Herbert is struggling at the plate with a .185 average with five home runs and 27 RBI. Expect the Braves to be patient with Herbert and do everything they can to make sure he’s eventually playing in Atlanta. Whether or not he is the starting catcher in the future, Herbert has a good chance to be in Atlanta in the 2019 season.

Rio Ruiz, 3B

Rio Ruiz was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB Draft.  He was obtained by the Braves in the Evan Gattis trade in January 2015. As of right now, Ruiz is the No. 15 overall prospect for the Braves. Ruiz has great plate discipline and will normally hit for average.  He’s had some question marks with his ability to play third base and his capability to hit to all parts of the field.

At the age of 22, Rio Ruiz is holding his ground for the Gwinnett Braves in AAA. He’s batting .269 to go with six homers and 37 RBI. With Riley making his way through the minors and Demeritte potentially switching to the hot corner, it’s unlikely that Ruiz will be the starter at third base in 2019. Ruiz could add depth at third or play first in case of injury or to give Freeman some rest.

Summary

In all likelyhood, this will not be the roster the Braves throw out to begin the 2019 campaign. Injuries, trades and lack of performance are almost inevitable. Based off of prospect rankings, current performances, and projectablity this is the roster that could be most similar to the actual roster in 2019. With the abundance of pitching prospects there is no telling who will stay in the Majors and who won’t. Regardless of who is projected to be on the Braves roster in 2019, the actual roster in Atlanta will have a plethora of talent and will possess a bright future.

If you missed the pitching staff projections, you can find them here.

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