NORTH PORT, Fla.-- The Braves claimed it would be a two-man competitors between Vaughn Grissom as well as Orlando Arcia for shortstop this springtime, as well as ultimately one did get the work. However thinking about all that occurred in the previous month, the information Monday was rather stunning-- not just that Arcia emerged as the champion, but that both Grissom as well as possibility Braden Shewmake were optioned to Triple 's much-improved offense this spring rose him into consideration for the task, with supervisor Brian Snitker validating as a lot in recent weeks. With Grissom as well as Shewmake obtaining all of the starts just recently at shortstop, it appeared one of them would win the task as well as Arcia would load the utility function he had last season before second baseman Ozzie Albies got and Shewmake hit.371 as well as.323, specifically, this springtime https://www.brewersfansoutfit.com/collections/chris-capuano-jersey, with Grissom showing enhancement defensively as well as Shewmake making major strides offensively. But the Braves stunned nearly everyone Monday by announcing Grissom and Shewmake were optioned-- doing so after a 6-5 Grapefruit League win against Tampa bay Bay in which Grissom had 3 hits and Shewmake went into late and had a deep sacrifice , a previous Brewers starting shortstop, will begin the period back in a starting role, and also Ehire Adrianza will be the energy infielder. The Braves differed what numerous thought had actually become their program after team authorities, including Snitker and also his coaches, met Monday as well as came to the verdict they shouldn't quit depth if they really did not have to. #Braves will choose Orlando Arcia as their Opening Day shortstop, as well as will certainly option both Braden Shewmake and also Vaughn Grissom to Three-way A. Ehire Adrianza is the utility infielder.-- David O'Brien ) March 20, 2023If they had actually maintained Grissom or Shewmake to play shortstop-- Shewmake likely would've platooned with Arcia; Grissom would've been more of a daily starter-- after that Adrianza, that was on a minor-league agreement, has adequate solution time that he could go with free company rather than approve a minor-league job. Other groups are trying to find gamers with Adrianza's adaptability and experience at this moment in springtime Kevin Pillar remains in a comparable scenario, on a minor-league agreement yet with the right to select totally free company instead of go to Three-way A. Pillar as well as Sam Hilliard, that is out of minor-league options, are the leading remaining fourth-outfielder candidates after Eli White and also Jordan Luplow were optioned to Three-way A on Braves likewise optioned reducer Nick Anderson as well as reassigned lefty Danny Young, infielder Yolmer Snchez and catchers Ryan Casteel and also Joe Hudson to minor-league camp, leaving 32 players on the pitched all right this spring to make a place, but once again, retaining depth was a top priority, as well as because he had alternatives he was sent out down. As long as he stays healthy and balanced, the former Marlins and also Rays reducer will sign up with the Braves at some time-- perhaps earlier than later-- as well as could play a significant the moves that got one of the most focus were the shortstop prospects being sent down. Shewmake had 3 extra-base hits, a. 371 OBP and also.823 OPS in 35 plate looks as well as played the anticipated solid protection. Grissom had a. 400 OBP and.829 OPS in the third-most plate appearances 40) on the group, and also the offseason job he did with infield coach Ron Washington appeared in his improved , the Braves want Grissom to keep functioning at shortstop at Gwinnett and also Shewmake to proceed the progression he made with his swing because last period, changes that have allowed him to concentrate on striking to the center of the area instead of being the pull player he was previously. The example size in springtime training behaved, yet the Braves intend to see him endure it over a longer , 28, hit.244 with 9 homers, 30 RBIs as well as a. 733 OPS in 67 video games last period, as well as his 104 OPS+ was 4 percent above a league-average player. He took control of at 2nd base after Albies' damaged foot in June till Arcia's hamstring injury in August led the Braves to call up Grissom from Double A to complete. He had actually been primarily a shortstop in the rose originally at the plate. But after an extended depression, Snitker transformed to Arcia once more to play 2nd base late in the season as well as in the division collection versus Braves' rash of infield injuries last period-- they used 6 players at keystone-- together with a tip of exactly how rapidly points can change when Astros celebrity 2nd baseman Jose Altuve damaged a thumb just recently in the WBC, influenced the team's choice to not surrender any kind of infield deepness. Grissom and also Shewmake will be a telephone call away in case of injury, or if Arcia battles early and the Braves choose one of the younger shortstops can make them will play some shortstop as well as keystone at Gwinnett, but Grissom will certainly get a bulk of the shortstop associates since Shewmake already has so lots of even more minor-league innings at that position, where he's a more powerful defender than Grissom. The Braves want Shewmake to obtain time at keystone in situation he's needed was just one of the most motivating growths of springtime, in addition to the fast rise of lefty potential customers Jared Shuster as well as Dylan Dodd, who went from no-way-they-make-the-team going into camp to presently competing in a two-man race for fifth sat at his locker one month ago when camp opened and also claimed he assumed, or hoped, he may've been thought about for the second-base fill-in job last August if he had not destroyed his left knee in a Triple-A video game-- 4 days prior to 22-year-old Grissom obtained phoned from Dual A for the sat at that exact same locker Monday morning, having impressed enough to get consideration for the Opening Day task and to put himself in a better placement for a call-up this season." He's stronger this year, " Braves hitting trainer Kevin Seitzer claimed of Shewmake, who is taller 6-foot-4) than most shortstops as well as skinnier than most any non-pitcher. "What I'm most delighted around is the change he's made with his swing as well as his strategy. He's really attempting to stay in the center of the area currently, rather than venturing out and around stuff. That was the big point, he was too pull-happy, attempting) to get the heaters in as well as pull, and also it just makes you at risk on second things." Seitzer added: "He's wiry solid. He's probably placed on about 15 extra pounds. The sphere's leaping. I imply, to the pull side, too. He's got juice. Center area, he's got juice. So it's an enjoyable shock, for sure." AdvertisementShewmake didn't recognize Monday morning where he would certainly begin the season however was pleased to have made a good impression." Definitely, " he said. "There's a whole lot of job to be done, and also the end of the road is certainly not the end of springtime training. There's a great deal of period left. It's mosting likely to be fun just determining where I'm going, what I'm doing. Yet that's not in my control, that's not in any kind of player's) control." Shewmake hit just.228 with a. 672 OPS in 83 games in Double A in 2021, as well as.259 with a weak.399 slugging portion and also.715 OPS in 76 video games last period for Triple-A Gwinnett prior to tearing his PCL in a collision while seeking a fly round in left was fortunate that it had not been a full PCL tear that would certainly need surgery, because rehab would've much been a lot longer as well as sidelined him right into the summertime. He spent concerning two months rehabbing at North Port and was removed in November." When he obtained right here this spring), the first day I saw him springtime, I'm like, divine cow, this is a various youngster, " Seitzer claimed. "He had much better instructions and his swing) course was a lot more in line, staying inside the ball, remaining on it and also through it. As well as he claimed, he worked this winter on trying to hit the sphere in the middle of the field the various other method as well as be better in this way, which is just mosting likely to do nothing but help him with secondary stuff. I'm thrilled about the modifications he's made. And also I told him the initial couple of days of camp, 'You have a chance to be an actually great hitter currently.'" Shewmake claimed hitting the round between the spaces was his offseason emphasis." My believed when it concerns that, what I constantly speak about, is try to take my hands with the round, " he claimed. "So if the ball's outdoors, attempt to take your hands to the ball and also obtain expanded, hit the round the other means. If the round's in, having the ability to drop your hands on it and sort of move via the voids." AdvertisementHe has a lengthy relationship with his offseason striking coach-- his dad, Shane Shewmake, head baseball instructor at the University of Texas at Dallas." I've been collaborating with him as well as Chris Antariksa, Braves') minor-league hitting planner, " Shewmake claimed. "He came down one or two times Jared Koenig Jersey, as well as I met him a bit, allowed him and my dad talk about some things, attempt to iron some points out. It was fun." Acua updateEddie Rosario had an RBI double to the right-center gap Monday in his first game with the Braves since the left fielder's Puerto Rico group was eliminated from the WBC on Friday. Snitker said he had not listened to from right fielder Ronald Acua Jr. since Monday mid-day, however he planned to offer him a couple of days to relax prior to playing him Thursday. Acua's Venezuela WBC group was gotten rid of Saturday in a semifinal loss to Team USA at Miami." He's most likely mosting likely to need to act Thursday, I would think, " stated Snitker, whose Braves are off Tuesday as well as play the Tigers in Lakeland, 2 hrs away, on Wednesday. "I'm not gon na drag him to Lakeland). I indicate, he's been playing center field, running everywhere. So most likely a couple of day of rests isn't going to hurt him. I really did not know if he would certainly appear today, he really did not call or anything. I make certain we'll have somebody connect to him just to see what his plans are. He's simply in Miami, yet I do not recognize, he might have had things to do family-wise or whatever before he comes by. I'll place him in when I see him." Picture or Orlando Arcia: Gerald Herbert/ Associated Press).