The Atlanta Braves have plenty of competition in Spring Training and one of the areas to watch is the end of the bench. According to FanGraphs’ depth chart, Nick Allen, Luke Williams and Brayan De La Cruz are projected to make the Braves bench to open Spring Training but those spots could be up in the air as the opener against the San Diego Padres on March 27 approaches.
This makes Spring Training games an important data point as Brian Snitker assembles his roster for Opening Day. One Braves player in particular has gotten off to a scorching start as games began this week, and it could lead him to an unexpected spot when the Braves head west.
Eli White’s Blazing Start Could Clear Path For Braves Roster Spot
Eli White is one player that is making an impression early as Grapefruit League play has started. White began his spring by collecting a single and a walk in a 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Feb. 23 but broke out with hits in all three of his at-bats during Tuesday’s 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Reaching base all five times is one way to make a case to join the roster, but it’s not the strength of White’s game. An 11th round pick by the Athletics in the 2016 MLB Draft, White has appeared in just 171 games over his five seasons in the major leagues with a career line of .191/.266/.302 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI.
If White – who is out of minor league options – makes the Opening Day roster, there’s a better chance it will happen because of his glove. The 31-year-old has been an outfielder throughout the entirety of his career but started working in the infield at the beginning of camp. Versatility could be a key component to making the roster as the Braves will try to buy time until Ronald Acuña Jr. returns from a knee injury. But it could also help him get work elsewhere once the All-Star returns.
There’s also the speed element that White brings to the table. Baseball Savant measured White’s sprint speed at 29.6 feet per second last season, which ranked in the 96th percentile among all runners. While that speed would play better in the outfield, it could also help White get on the field late in games as a pinch runner.
Of course, a hot bat also wouldn’t hurt his chances of joining Atlanta for the start of the season and White is doing what he has to in order to make the Opening Day roster.