Braves pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training today, and there were also a few positional players that decided to show up a few days early.
Today was the first day for Pitchers and Catchers to report for Spring Training. Among #Braves position players that have arrived early are Michael Harris, Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Jarred Kelenic!!
— DjShockley (@DjShockley3) February 14, 2024
We are only a couple of weeks from exhibition games taking place and just six weeks away from Opening Day, an exciting time for a group of players that hasn’t forgotten about the disappointing endings to the last two seasons.
It’s been the talk of the offseason, and one of the more outspoken players this Winter has been A.J. Minter. He hasn’t been shy about what the Braves have been missing the last two years, who hopes to see a little more “F-U attitude” from the Braves in 2024. Minter knows the expectations are higher in Atlanta than anywhere else, it’s World Series or bust. Anything other than being the last team standing should be viewed as a supreme disappointment.
“Looking back, we were the best team in baseball, and for us to go out like that in the first round,” said Minter. “We hold ourselves to a high standard here. We’re obviously looking to get back to the World Series and play for another title…”
“We hold ourselves to a different standard than most organizations, and that’s what separates us. I think we need to get everyone focused coming into spring training like, ‘Hey, this is World Series or bust.'”
"We need to get everybody focused coming into spring training like, 'Hey, this is World Series or bust.'"
It's Day 1 and A.J. Minter is focused. pic.twitter.com/lTHRyPySgo
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) February 14, 2024
Not many teams in any sport can say with 100% confidence that it is championship or bust, especially in baseball, where randomness plays such a big factor come the postseason. But the Braves are one of the few, if not the only team in Major League Baseball that can make comments like these and mean it.
This is a club in Atlanta that is essentially an All-Star team. If Bryce Elder wins the fifth and final spot in the rotation, all five starters will have at least one All-Star appearance under their belt. Last season, the entire Braves infield made the All-Star Game, along with Ronald Acuña Jr, who went on to win the NL MVP. The only players in the Braves starting lineup without an All-Star appearance are Michael Harris II and Jarred Kelenic, two players 24 or younger that possess the talent to change that as early as this year.
The Braves feature a historically great offense from a year ago and an improved pitching staff that could also be the best in baseball. But more than just the talent, this is a motivated group, wearing the pain from early exits in the postseason in each of the last two seasons on their sleeve.
There is no reason for the Braves to shy away from expectations. It is World Series or Bust in Atlanta.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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