As Spring Training approaches its halfway point, the Atlanta Braves are gearing up for the upcoming season, with Opening Day just weeks away. Predicting the team's 26-man roster, The Athletic's David O'Brien identifies Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, and Spencer Schwellenbach as the top three starters, with Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson expected to fill out the rotation. Despite Anderson's struggles with walks during the spring, his impressive ERA and batting average against suggest he remains a strong candidate for the starting five.

O'Brien emphasizes that both Holmes and Anderson lack minor-league options, making it likely the Braves will retain them unless significant injuries or poor performances occur. Such depth is valued by the Braves, so losing a starter to waivers seems improbable unless a drastic decline happens. Notably, while Anderson's control issues are concerning, his ability to restrict opposing hitters demonstrates potential that could pay off during the regular season.

Brian Snitker, the manager of the Atlanta Braves, remains optimistic about the team's pitching prospects as they head into the regular season. Key performers on Thursday included Grant Holmes and Hector Neris. Holmes, who threw four innings against minor league hitters, has shown promise, posting a solid 1.80 ERA over two appearances thus far in Spring Training. His control has been commendable, with 60% of his pitches landing for strikes. Notably, he ended his rookie season with a 3.56 ERA in 26 outings, and is in contention for a rotation spot while fellow pitcher Spencer Strider recovers from an elbow injury.

On the other hand, Hector Neris, a recent signing, is still looking for his chance to make an impact in Braves camp. With a career ERA of 3.33 and extensive experience, Neris aims to secure a position on the Opening Day roster. His last season was a mixed bag, with a 4.10 ERA playing for both the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. While he has yet to pitch in a Spring Training game, the Braves hope he can be an asset as the season progresses.

The term "sleeper" often gets misused in fantasy baseball, yet this article uncovers genuine prospects worth considering. Highlighted are 12 players with average draft positions (ADP) past pick 300 on NFBC, showcasing potential gems to enhance fantasy rosters at low costs. With insights drawn from active high-stakes drafts, these players could be invaluable late-round selections.

Among the notable mentions is Grant Holmes, a promising starter for the Atlanta Braves, who demonstrated impressive strikeout rates in the minors. Joey Ortiz offers versatility with positional flexibility in the infield, while Aroldis Chapman is in a competitive closer battle with Liam Hendriks, creating potential value. Jose Soriano, a groundball specialist for the Angels, and Heston Kjerstad, who excelled in Triple-A, provide additional late-round targets. Each player's statistics and context are explored to aid fantasy players in making informed decisions.

Former Oakland A’s pitcher Dany Jimenéz has signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves worth $785,000, including an invite to Spring Training. This move highlights the Braves' trend of acquiring former A's players, as their current roster features notable former A's such as Grant Holmes and Sean Murphy.

Jimenéz, who had a notable stint with Oakland, has faced challenges in previous seasons with injuries and performance inconsistencies. Despite these setbacks, he displayed promise, particularly during the 2022 season, where he served as the A’s closer, securing 11 saves with a 3.41 ERA.

His addition to Atlanta comes at a time when the Braves are looking to bolster their bullpen, which ranked third in MLB with a 3.32 ERA. Jimenéz’s experience in high-pressure situations could provide valuable depth, especially considering Atlanta’s injury struggles last year.

The Atlanta Braves are facing a tough offseason as injuries continue to plague the team. Setup man Joe Jiménez underwent surgery on his left knee, which will keep him out for 8-12 months, jeopardizing his availability for the 2025 season.

In 2024, Jiménez showcased impressive stats with a 2.62 ERA and a high strikeout rate, making his absence significant for the Braves' bullpen. The team is expected to seek additional relievers to bolster their roster as they navigate the challenges of injuries that heavily impacted their previous season.