The Atlanta Braves are starting to prepare for Spring Training and their pursuit of yet another World Series victory. Sending out non-roster invites is a part of that preparation, with the goal of discovering a gem before the season starts. Atlanta revealed their 2024 non-roster invitees on Friday.
There are a few names on this list that Braves fans will be familiar with and some that might come as a surprise. Players with MLB caliber of experience such as Ken Giles, Phillip Evans, David Fletcher, Luke Williams, Jordan Luplow, and Eli White may be considered for roster places should they become available.
Giles, Ken, hold on. When did he sign a contract with the Braves? At 10:25 a.m., Jon Heyman announced that Ken Giles had signed a minor league contract with the Braves, following the Braves’ release of this list. His earnings, if he advances to the majors, will be $1.75 million. With Giles’s track record of accomplishment, this is certainly worth the risk.
Giles was fourth in the 2014 Rookie of the Year vote. Surprisingly, he has never been an all-star, but his career ERA of 2.71 is still rather acceptable. In 53 innings pitched not too long ago (2019), Giles recorded a 1.87 ERA. Atlanta might have another valuable weapon in the bullpen if they could get him even close to that version of himself.
Pitchers received eight out of the twenty-three invitations, which is not surprising as we all know that no team can ever have too many arms. That the same amount of infielders received invitations is a little unexpected. Since the Atlanta Braves usually keep one “utility” player on the bench, one of these eight infielders may be considering assuming Nicky Lopez’s spot now that he’s gone.
With Jarred Kelenic, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Michael Harris, it is safe to assume that the big league ball club has their outfield places worked out. Eli White, Jordan Luplow, and Luis Liberato may be competing for minor league berths; be ready ifunfortunate injuries occur.
The name on this list that should catch a lot of attention is Hurston Waldrep. Waldrep, just 21 years of age, was drafted by the Braves with the 24th overall pick in 2023. He accelerated through the Braves farm system and made his Triple-A debut with the Gwinnett Stripers in September last year. With the promise he has shown and performing well at every level he has seen, Waldrep could potentially steal the fifth spot in the Major League rotation by the end of the season.
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