Nacho

Alvarez Jr.

Considering Williams is on the active roster, he’s likely to favorite to get the first crack at the job. The 28-year-old is just 2-for-17 in 23 games at the big league level this season but was hitting .287/.348/.508 in 46 games at Triple-A with eight home runs and 15 steals. He also hit 12 home runs and stole 28 bases in Triple-A last year with the Braves and Dodgers, so there is some mild five-category upside in deeper formats if he can hold onto the job. Both Alejo Lopez and Brian Anderson would need to be added to the 40-man roster, but Lopez is hitting .308/.394/.393 in 96 games at Triple-A with 21 steals, so he could be a speed asset if he gets an opportunity. Nacho Alvarez is currently dealing with pneumonia, which has taken him out of the running for the job, and Bowman claims there are no current plans to move Whit Merrifield to third base.

Alvarez had a really tough first week in the majors, so the Braves have decided to roll with Whit Merrifield at second base for now. We doubt that will go especially well, but it might be the better option, just because of how overmatched Alvarez looked in going 3-for-30 with no extra-base hits, no walks and 10 strikeouts as Ozzie Albies’ initial replacement.

Merrifield remains out of Atlanta’s lineup for the third straight contest due to a right finger injury that he suffered earlier this week while warming up to make his Braves debut. The 35-year-old veteran is presumably going to be available off the bench at some point this week and is apparently still day-to-day for now. It’ll be rookie Nacho Alvarez Jr. at the keystone on Thursday night at Citi Field.

Alvarez Jr. is coming up to replace Ozzie Albies, who is expected to miss the next eight weeks. Alvarez Jr. was ranked as the 98th prospect in all of baseball according to Baseball Prospectus before the season. He was exceptional in 28 games at Triple-A this year hitting .336 with seven home runs and 24 RBI. Alvarez Jr. had 21 steals in 76 games between Double-A and Triple-A this year. He should have fantasy appeal in mixed leagues given his hitting and decent speed.

With Ozzie Albies (wrist) expected to be shelved for eight weeks, the Braves suddenly have a gaping hole at second base. While Alvarez has played primarily at shortstop in his minor league career, the 21-year-old infielder can handle second base as well. Alvarez has hit .293/.401/.417 with seven homers, 39 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 283 at-bats between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett this season.

Snitker told reporters “It’s not good” when asked about Albies’ wrist after Sunday’s game. The 27-year-old second baseman sustained the injury as Michael Siani slid into his wrist on a stolen base attempt in the ninth inning. No word yet on how the Braves plan to replace Albies at second base, but Nacho Alvarez could be an option.

Alvarez Jr. is the Braves’ 6th-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. The 21-year-old was slashing .265/.381/.312 in 48 games in Double-A with 16 home runs. While he doesn’t have a ton of power, he has strong plate discipline with an 18.8 percent strike out and 14.4 percent walk rate so far. Given the struggles of Orlando Arcia this season, there is a slim chance Alvarez could push for an MLB call-up if he does well in Triple-A. However, it’s far more likely that he fights for a starting job in 2025.

No real surprises among this batch of cuts for the Braves. Liberato, 28, really struggled during Grapefruit League action — hitting just .185 (5-for-27) with a homer, five RBI, one stolen base and a 9/3 K/BB ratio. He’ll start the year as extra outfield depth at Triple-A Gwinnett.