This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman’s Braves Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it usually in your inbox.
With the Braves set to start Spring Coaching at CoolToday Park subsequent week, here’s what you must search for whether or not you propose to observe in particular person or through the broadly expanded tv schedule.
When is the primary exercise for pitchers and catchers?Feb. 12. It’s not simply the pitchers and catchers who arrive early for Spring Coaching. Place gamers will even be in camp subsequent week, making the most of the possibility to make their preparations within the solar and on the group’s Spring Coaching facility, which has lots of the identical facilities you’d discover at a five-star resort. Whereas pitchers and catchers will undergo structured exercises, place gamers don’t have any necessities the primary week. This simply means they’ll be a number of holes forward by the point pitchers and catchers attain the golf course within the early afternoon.
What’s the date of the primary full-squad exercise?Feb. 18. You would possibly get a participant or two who doesn’t present up till the date of the primary full-squad exercise. However for probably the most half, by the point supervisor Brian Snitker offers his annual rah-rah speech earlier than the primary full-squad exercise, the gamers have already been in camp collectively for a minimum of a number of days.
The place is the group’s facility?North Port, Fla. The Braves’ complicated is situated in Wellen Park, a thriving neighborhood stuffed with residences, eating places, shops and a golf course. The realm has prospered and grown for the reason that Braves’ arrival forward of the 2020 season.
Can followers attend exercises?Followers could have entry to the again fields starting Feb. 16 at 9 a.m. ET. Entry might be granted by means of Gate 3 or the Inexperienced Gate earlier than video games start. The Inexperienced Gate would be the solely entry level for the again fields on the times the Braves are enjoying a Grapefruit League recreation on the primary area.
Who’re some new faces followers ought to know?Jurickson Profar will draw loads of consideration when he arrives in camp only a few weeks after signing his three-year, $42 million deal. The outfielder revitalized his profession by hitting 24 homers for the Padres final yr. The Braves considered him because the second-best bat obtainable on the free-agent market, behind solely Juan Soto. Ian Anderson isn’t a brand new face, however followers will get pleasure from seeing the 2021 World Collection star again from Tommy John surgical procedure. Anderson and Grant Holmes are the favorites to fill the beginning rotation’s remaining two spots to start the season.
Who’re a few of the high prospects invited to Main League camp?Drake Baldwin is without doubt one of the recreation’s fastest-rising prospects, and he’s poised to maneuver up the Braves’ High 30 checklist from his present No. 5 spot when new rankings are unveiled the primary week of March. Baldwin, who ranks as MLB’s No. 63 prospect, hit 12 homers and produced an .891 OPS within the 72 video games he performed after being promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett final yr. He may not begin the season within the Majors, but when there’s a probability for him to play regularly, the left-handed-hitting slugger ought to make his Atlanta debut this yr.
Final summer season’s first-round choose Cam Caminiti (MLB No. 89) is the one different Braves participant listed on MLB’s newest High 100 prospects checklist. The 18-year-old southpaw received’t be in camp this yr, however former High 100 prospects AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep might be.
When is the group’s first Grapefruit League recreation?The Braves will play the Twins in Fort Myers on Feb. 22.
What are a number of different notable spring dwelling video games?
Feb. 23 vs. RaysFeb. 25 and March 17 vs. Purple SoxFeb. 26 and March 8 vs. PiratesMarch 2 vs. YankeesMarch 20 vs. Phillies
What’s Spring Breakout and when is the sport?A Braves prospect group will play a Tigers prospect group within the Spring Breakout recreation on March 16 at CoolToday Park.
Will the group’s video games be televised?FanDuel Sports activities Community (beforehand Bally Sports activities Community)
All broadcasts begin at 1 p.m. ET.
March 2 vs. YankeesMarch 3 at RaysMarch 15 at Purple SoxMarch 17 vs. Purple SoxMarch 20 vs. PhilliesMarch 21 at RaysMarch 23 vs. Orioles
Feb. 27 at Nationals, 6:05 p.m.Feb. 28 at Marlins, 1:05 p.m.March 6 vs. Marlins, 6:05 p.m.March 9 at Purple Sox, 1:05 p.m.March 15 vs. Twins, 6:05 p.m.March 16 Spring Breakout Sport, 4:05 p.m.March 19 at Yankees, 6:35 p.m.March 22 at Tigers, 1:05 p.m.March 24 at Cubs 4:05 p.m.March 25 at Cubs, 4:05 p.m.
Any dwelling recreation not aired by Fan Duel or Grey might be streamed at no cost on Braves.com, MLB.TV and within the MLB App.
When is the membership’s final recreation in Florida?The Braves will go away Florida after internet hosting the Orioles on March 23.
Will there be any extra exhibitions earlier than the common season?Austin Riley, Matt Olson and Ozzie Albies will reunite with Dansby Swanson because the Braves get a style of the Cactus League with video games in Arizona in opposition to the Cubs on March 24 and 25.
What are the main points for Opening Day?The common season will start in opposition to the Padres on March 27 at Petco Park. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET.
