This is when it really starts to get fun. Today, I will attempt to predict the Braves’ Opening Day roster in 2024. I’ve already made my projections for this upcoming season, which I will surely update once the lockout ends, and last week I released my 2023 Opening Day predictions. Neither of those was easy, but these next three (2024-2026) will require a lot of creativity, so let’s get to it! Once again, I will not be including a bench: only a starting lineup, rotation, and bullpen.
If you missed one of the other two Opening Day predictions, click the links below:
Starting Lineup
- Ronald Acuña Jr. (RF)
- Freddie Freeman (1B)
- Austin Riley (3B)
- Marcell Ozuna (DH)
- Ozzie Albies (2B)
- Shea Langeliers (C)
- Dansby Swanson (SS)
- Michael Harris (LF)
- Cristian Pache (CF)
The top half of my lineup stays the same in 2024. Once Freeman re-signs, he will be a Brave for life. Acuña, Riley, and Albies are all under contract for the foreseeable future. The only question regarding the top half is Marcell Ozuna, but I have a feeling the Braves will hold on to him, and that 2024 will be the final year of his contract.
The bottom half is where things begin to shake up. By 2024, I expect Shea Langeliers to be the starting catcher in Atlanta. He will likely get some looks in 2023, but to start 2024, there should be no question. In my opinion, he’s currently the Braves’ top prospect in the organization. Right behind him is Michael Harris, who I also expect to be in the 2024 Opening Day lineup. This kid is oozing with talent, so much so that there were talks of him reaching the majors as early as last season. That was always a bit far-fetched, as Harris is still a couple of years away from the majors; however, I believe he will be a member of Atlanta’s starting outfield for quite some time.
Rotation
The Braves could certainly add to this group in free agency, but they should have enough arms to fill out the rotation by 2024. As you can see, Charlie Morton and Sonny Gray — who I had the Braves trading for — are gone, opening up two spots, which have been filled by Bryce Elder and Jared Shuster. Elder could be a fixture in Atlanta’s rotation much sooner than this, however. He rocketed through the system last season and ended the year in Gwinnett. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him make his debut in 2022, but by 2024, he should surely be a permanent member of the rotation. The fifth spot could be occupied by a number of young arms, but I rolled with Atlanta’s 2020 first-round selection Jared Shuster.
Bullpen
This might be the aspect of the team that gets me the most excited. The Braves’ potential bullpen is absolutely loaded with high-powered arms. Matzek, Minter, Strider, and Ynoa can all touch triple digits. Kyle Muller and promising AA prospect Indigo Diaz can also toss it in the high 90s. I have the Braves picking up Kirby Yates’ option, which will most likely depend on health. If he’s healthy, he should be well worth the $5.75 million the team will owe him. Rounding out the group is Dylan Lee, who pitched well in the postseason for the Braves this year, but Atlanta has a number of other options that could fill his role if his success doesn’t continue.
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