The Braves 25...For Now

A few suprises on the Atlanta Braves 25 man roster for Opening Day...

1. Smoltz (SP)
2. Hudson (SP)
3. James (SP)
4. Redman (SP)
5. Cormier (SP)
6. McBride (RP)
7. Gonzalez (RP)
8. Villareal (RP)
9. Yates (RP)
10. Soriano (RP)
11. Paronto (RP)
12. Wickman (RP)
13. McCann (C)
14. Pena (C)
15. A. Jones (OF)
16. Francoeur (OF)
17. Langerhans (OF)
18. Diaz (OF)
19. C. Jones (3B)
20. Renteria (SS)
21. Thorman (1B/OF)
22. Wilson (1B/OF)
23. Johnson (2B)
24. Woodward (2B/3B)
25. Orr (2B/3B)

Out in the Cold:

1. Aybar (2B/3B) [DL]
2. Hampton (SP) [DL]
3. Escobar (SS)
4. Prado (2B)
5. Harris (OF)
6. Davies (SP)
7. Carlyle (SP/RP)
8. Colyer (RP)

The biggest suprise has to be that the once Golden Child, Kyle Davies, will be on a bus to Richmond tonight. He had a nice spring (2-0, 2.84 ERA, 19 IP, 14 H, 9 BB, 11 K), but apparently the Braves feel that he will benefit from some time in the minors. His 2006 #s (3-7, 8.38 ERA, 63.3 IP, 90 H, 33 BB, 51 K) would certainly support the decision.

The right side of the infield is going to be scary for the Bravos. Watch out.

Orr Making Strong Case

Complements of David O'Brien, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 26, 2007

ORR MAKING STRONG CASE

Infielder Willy Aybar probably will start the season on the disabled list with a sore hand, and Pete Orr is making a strong push for the would-be job opening.

Orr is hitting .371 with two doubles and a .434 on-base percentage.

"Pete's had a nice little spring," Cox said.

Orr has spent two seasons with the Braves, batting .300 as a rookie before slipping to .253 in 2006. He hit .291 after the All-Star break but .213 before, and Orr feared that half-season might get him ticketed for Richmond this year.

He could have a reprieve because of Aybar's situation. Versatile rookie Martin Prado has had a good spring (.368, five doubles), but Cox is known for being loyal to his guys, and Orr has proven himself at the major-league level.

"I still don't know what the [heck's] happening," Orr said. "I don't if they know, of if they know and aren't saying. It is hard, though. I ain't going to lie. You come in, do what you can do, and it's totally out of your hands.

"That's the hardest part. I was talking to Chipper and he said, 'Don't worry, don't worry.' But I've got to find a place for my wife and me to live."

-----

This would change the roster in the previous post....

22. Johnson (2B)
23. Prado (2B/3B)
24. Chris Woodward (2B/3B/1B.....)
25. Pete Orr (2B/3B)

Narrowing it Down to 25

Alright, so let's figure this thing out. Here is what I'm looking at for the Braves roster come Opening Day (April 2nd @Philadelphia at 1:05 PM).

1. Smoltz (SP)
2. Hudson (SP)
3. James (SP)
4. Davies (SP)
5. Redman (SP)
6. Cormier (RP)
7. McBride (RP)
8. Gonzalez (RP)
9. Villareal (RP)
10. Yates (RP)
11. Soriano (RP)
12. Wickman (RP)
13. McCann (C)
14. Pena (C)
15. A. Jones (OF)
16. Francoeur (OF)
17. Langerhans (OF)
18. Diaz (OF/1B)
19. C. Jones (3B)
20. Renteria (SS)
21. Thorman (1B/OF)
22. Aybar (2B/3B)
23. Johnson (2B)
24. Prado (2B/3B)
25. ????????

So that is what it looks like today...the first 24.

It looks like my man Pete Orr is on the bubble for that 25th spot. Chris Woodward, signed in the offseason to a one year deal, has had only 14 AB this spring due to injury. Pete Orr, the underdog as usual, has battled this spring to stay on the club - he is hitting over .380.

The Macon Telegraph wrote about the race for infield positions on Tuesday, March 20.

I don't know what the next week will bring. I'm pulling for Pete, of course, but I don't know what will happen.