Braves Today

Lindsay Crosby explains that spring training records and stats matter less than player process, then reviews who has impressed or struggled for the Braves. Michael Harris is showing intentional plate-discipline gains by taking pitches off the plate and drawing walks, though much of his competition has been around Double-A level. Mike Yastrzemski’s huge spring numbers are noted, but Crosby is most encouraged by his at-bat quality versus lefties, suggesting he may be less vulnerable to lefty relievers. On the pitching side, Hayden Harris has improved his fastball effectiveness, adding velocity and generating swinging strikes after getting none in his MLB sample last year, though questions remain about major-league viability. Crosby urges caution with JR Ritchie despite decent results because he hasn’t missed many bats against stronger lineups. He also notes struggles from Luke Williams, watches John Gil’s athleticism after bulking up, and wants better offensive process from catcher Jonah Heim to avoid overworking Drake Baldwin.

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Host Lindsay Crosby reports that Braves pitcher Joey Wentz suffered a torn ACL after a collision covering first base in a spring game and will miss the entire season, marking another major blow in a run of Atlanta starting-pitcher injuries dating back to last year. Crosby notes Wentz was projected for meaningful innings and had made offseason adjustments, making the loss significant for both performance and clubhouse impact. He discusses why signing Lucas Giolito isn’t a simple fix, citing underlying metrics that suggest regression and the reality that Giolito wouldn’t be ready for Opening Day, while other free-agent options are limited. Crosby then breaks down internal replacements, highlighting José Suarez, non-roster invitee Martín Pérez, and prospect JR Ritchie, emphasizing roster/option considerations and the need to balance short-term coverage with long-term development.

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down Didier Fuentes’ first spring appearance, noting his recovery from shoulder inflammation, a dominant two-inning outing vs. the Orioles, strong high-zone command, and a revamped arsenal featuring a tight gyro slider replacing his prior sweeper. Crosby then examines the Braves’ bullpen roster crunch, highlighting strong spring performances from James Karinchak and Joel Payamps (waiver claim from Milwaukee) and discussing how roster logistics, options, injuries, and the need for a long reliever (with Joey Wentz possibly starting early) could impact final decisions involving Karinchak, Josè Suarez, and Ian Hamilton. The episode closes with a discussion of Jurickson Profar’s PED suspension appeal and a review of notable bad Braves contracts, arguing Bruce Sutter’s deferred-money deal stands out as the worst.

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down positives from Thursday’s Braves spring training game, focusing on Spencer Strider’s improving velocity and fastball movement, how that helped his slider miss bats, and his increased use of secondary pitches (curveball and changeup) against lefties despite uneven surface results. The episode also evaluates Mike Yastrzemski’s encouraging at-bats versus left-handed pitching—highlighting adjustments, hard contact, and the limitations of small-sample platoon splits—plus how Eli White could factor into outfield solutions. Crosby then discusses Dominic Smith’s case to open as the primary DH, noting his quality plate appearances and a two-run homer off Louis Varland, while emphasizing larger team success hinges on key stars’ performance and health. The show closes with camp cuts and what keeping shortstop prospect John Gil in big-league camp could imply about his development path.

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down several Braves prospects drawing attention in spring training, highlighting John Gil's low swing-and-miss rate, two pull-side homers, and efforts to lift the ball, plus Alex Lodise's improving pitch recognition after early whiff issues and the roster-fit questions both create for High-A. He also discusses Diego Tornes’ rapid in-game adjustment to changeups in an exhibition vs. Colombia and what it suggests about his hitting instincts. On the pitching side, Crosby praises JR Ritchie’s strong spring results, improved pitch mix and velocity, and potential to debut this year, while noting Owen Murphy’s elite fastball shape and areas to develop, plus Garrett Baumann’s emphasis on throwing more strikes. He closes by analyzing MLB’s leaked cap-and-floor proposal, arguing the math and structure make it unworkable and outlining alternative deterrents and incentives tied to CBT and revenue sharing.

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Host Lindsay Crosby breaks down all of the new developments in the PED suspension of all-time bag fumbler Jurickson Profar before breaking down the options both on and off the roster to replace some of Profar's expected production for 2026.

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Here's a replay of the live show where we discussed everything we know about Jurickson Profar failing another drug test and where the Atlanta Braves go from here.

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Lindsay Crosby breaks down multiple Atlanta Braves starters who added or tweaked pitches this winter, focusing on how these changes could improve Atlanta’s rotation beyond the biggest question of health. We talk about Joey Wentz's new two-seamer and improved changeup, Grant Holmes' work on his poor four-seam fastball and newer kick-change, Reynaldo López trying to improve his changeup, and JR Ritchie adding what he's calling a "Vulcan split"

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Host Lindsay Crosby breaks down Spencer Strider’s spring training debut (2 innings, 32 pitches, 1 run, 2 Ks) and argues concerns about his reduced fastball velocity are premature given the tiny sample and Strider’s deliberate slow ramp-up plan. The key takeaway is that Statcast showed Strider’s fastball induced vertical break back near his 2023 level, with coaches and teammates noting the pitch is “jumping,” suggesting effectiveness can return as velocity builds. Crosby also shares an update on Hurston Waldrep’s elbow procedure, the Braves’ offense looking strong in small spring samples, highlights, and spotlights prospects JR Ritchie and John Gil.

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Host Lindsay Crosby takes a “relentlessly positive” look at why Michael Harris, Bryce Elder, and Joey Wentz could be poised for strong seasons for the Braves. For Harris, the focus is on fixing his biggest flaw—chase rate and an extremely low 2.5% walk rate in 2025—while noting early spring signs of longer counts, two walks, and hard contact, plus how sinkers have especially hurt him. Crosby then highlights Elder’s durability and late-season improvement, including increased fastball velocity and biomechanics work to streamline his delivery, pointing to a stretch where most starts were quality despite a few blowups. Finally, he explains why Wentz’s Braves results may have been better than his ERA, citing strong early outings, major BABIP swings, pitch-mix changes, fatigue effects, and his value as a controllable swingman through 2030.

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