![]() ![]() Next in line should be Braden Shewmake, a slick-fielding middle infielder who surfaced for a few days earlier this season. “The younger guys know if they do well, they’re going to move up.” “They have prepared us to understand that you can move up quickly,” Elder said. ![]() That level of inexperience mirrors that of Strider, who pitched only 94 innings in the minors, and Harris II, an Atlanta native whose minor-league background spanned 197 games. The baby-faced pitcher reached the majors after pitching only 110 innings in professional baseball after leaving high school. In his big-league bow at Arizona Sunday, he retired the first six Diamondbacks, fanning half of them, and showing why he had a 1.09 earned run average across in three minor-league stops this year before his promotion. Now it’s up to Smith-Shawver, a starter in the minors whose initial assignment will be helping the beleaguered Braves bullpen. ![]() The pitcher responded by becoming the fastest man to strike out 200 men, topping a long-held record by Hall of Famer Randy Johnson. The contract carries a pair of club options that could keep him with the team through 2032.Īfter securing the signature of Harris II, Anthopoulos gave Strider six years at $75 million even though he was only in his first full season. The rest of the regular infielders also have long-term contracts, along with Acuña Jr., Harris II, and Strider.Ītlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos, a self-described riverboat gambler, stunned the baseball world when he handed Harris II an eight-year, $72 million extension after he’d played just 71 games in the majors. On a team that prefers promoting kids to signing veterans, Riley carries the biggest contract in team history: 10 years at $212 million. Michael Soroka, runner-up to Pete Alonso as NL Rookie of the Year in 2019, is two years younger – and back in the rotation after missing three years with a pair of surgeries to repair a torn Achilles tendon. Wright, whose 21 wins led the majors last year but has battled shoulder problems this year, is just 27. Closer Raisel Iglesias is 33 but most of the pitching staff – even the veteran Fried – are under 30. The oldest man on the team is relief pitcher Jesse Chavez, who turns 40 in August, though starter Charlie Morton will join him in November. ![]() In fact, the only Atlanta regulars on the other side of 30 are left-fielder Eddie Rosario, 31 designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, 32 and alternate catcher Travis d’Arnaud, 34. Shortstop Orlando Arcia, a smooth fielder who’s a revelation at the plate this season, and newly-acquired catcher Sean Murphy are 28, while first baseman Matt Olson is 29. Third baseman Austin Riley, also an All-Star last year, is just a year older at 26, the same age as the switch-hitting Albies. When he signed his eight-year, $100 million contract, which contains club options that could keep him in Atlanta livery through 2028, it was the longest deal ever given a player under club control with less than a year of service time. He’s on a projected path that will make him the first 30-60 player in baseball history (at least 30 home runs and 60 stolen bases). is arguably the best player in the league and is the odds-on favorite to win his first Most Valuable Player award. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) Getty ImagesĪt 25, superstar right-fielder Ronald Acuña, Jr. Healed from his ACL tear, Atlanta All-Star Ronald Acuna, Jr. ![]()
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