ESPN Report, Atlanta Braves sign former NFL star player….

January 27, 2024 talksport247 Atlanta Braves 0

According to ESPN, the Atlanta Braves will have three starters among their five selections.

As the reporting date for pitchers and catchers is rapidly approaching, baseball’s attention is turning towards the 2024 season and ESPN thinks the Atlanta Braves will underperform last season in one specific aspect.

In 2023, the Atlanta Braves dominated the All-Star Game, with eight selections. Ronald Acuña Jr led all of baseball in votes, while the Braves had three starters for the “Midsummer Classic” in Acuña, shortstop Orlando Arcia, and catcher Sean Murphy.

Pitchers Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder, first baseman Matt Olson, second baseman Ozzie Albies, and third baseman Austin Riley all made the team as reserves.

But the 2024 All-Star team won’t be nearly as full of Braves, if ESPN’s correct. Senior Writer David Schoenfield, writing an admittedly “way-too-early” preview of the game, has only five Braves making this year’s game, being held in Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.

Here’s who he had making the game…and maybe more importantly, who he didn’t:

Starter, outfield: Ronald Acuña Jr

Jul 29, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) runs against the Milwaukee Brewers during the eighth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

This one isn’t hard. If Ronald produces anything like last season, he’s an absolute shoe-in for the All Star Game.

Joining Ronald as a starter is Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Fernando Tatis Jr of the San Diego Padres.

Starter, third base: Austin Riley

Jul 21, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) hits a home run during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Riley made last year’s team as a backup to Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals. But Arenado’s coming off of a relatively down year, where the 32 year-old batted .266 with the second-highest strikeout rate (16.5%) of his career.

That opens the door for Riley, who just capped his third-straight season of finishing in the top seven of MVP voting with a .281/.345/.516 statline and 37 homers.

Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres is the projected backup to Riley in this exercise.

Starting pitcher: Spencer Strider.

Oct 7, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (99) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during game one of the NLDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Truist Park.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Last year’s strikeout leader for all of baseball was an alternate last season and opted out of pitching in the game, but this year he’s projected to be the starter.

At the All-Star Break last season, Strider was 11-2 with a 3.44 ERA and 166 strikeouts in his first 18 starts, a strikeout number that led all of baseball.

Reserve, outfield: Michael Harris II

Sep 28, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run against the Chicago Cubs in the second inning at Truist Park.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Money Mike makes his first All-Star Game in this exercise, slotting in with Lars Nootbaar of the St. Louis Cardinals and Nolan Jones of the Colorado Rockies on the “second-team”.

Harris started slow last season, missing time with a back injury and a hyperextended knee, but rebounded to bat .328/.354/.539 from June 3rd through the end of the season. If he starts off that hot, Harris is a lock to make his first All-Star Game.

Reserve, first base: Matt Olson

Sep 16, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) circles the bases after hitting a home run against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at loanDepot Park.

Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

First base is a loaded position in the National League, and it’s even deeper with the addition of Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies to the mix.

Harper’s the starter in this hypothetical exercise, with Olson slotting behind both him and Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Reserve, starting pitching: Max Fried

Oct 9, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (54) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game two of the NLDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Truist Park.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Fried’s only All-Star nod came in 2022, where he made the team off of the strength of a 10-3 record and 2.64 ERA in the first half. Fried didn’t slack off down the stretch, either, putting up a 2.18 ERA down the stretch to come in 2nd place in the NL Cy Young voting to Miami’s Sandy Alcantara.

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