SARASOTA (SNN-TV) – In both the Sunshine State and in Arizona, all 30 MLB teams held their first full-team workouts of the spring as Opening Day is 39 days away.
In North Port, at the incomparable CoolToday Park, the Atlanta Braves began their first full spring camp at the $140M facility.
After COVID and the MLB Lockout ended and shortened the two previous Spring Trainings, the Braves are getting the “full-effect” of CoolToday in 2023.
After finishing 2022 as the NL East champions for the fifth season in a row, this time with a record of 101 wins and 61 losses, the Braves hope to run back their success despite a few new faces, but with some key pieces on new teams as well.
This offseason the Braves saw Dansby Swanson, Kenley Jansen and Adam Duvall all walk in free agency, but added Sean Murphy in a three-team trade with Oakland and Milwaukee that saw William Contreras traded to the Brewers, and Manny Pina shipped to the A’s.
Atlanta also added to their bullpen with the addition of Nick Anderson via free agency and Joe Jimenez courtesy of a trade with the Detroit Tigers. The Braves also bring back an acclaimed quartet: Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuna Jr, and Ozzie Albies.
Atlanta opens up their spring schedule at home in North Port this Saturday when they host the Boston Red Sox
Over in Pirate City, the Buccos showed out in full force as their first full-team workouts ensued.
Some old faces became new again as the returning Andrew McCutchen is thrust into the spotlight for Pittsburgh.
But, joining Cutch as a fresher faces in Pittsburgh are veteran first basemen, Carlos Santana and Ji-Man Choi. Both Choi and Santana were acquired in November, Choi via trade with the Rays, and Santana as a free agent.
While mixing other veterans like Rich Hill and Vince Velasquez with young talent like Termarr Johnson, Rodolfo Castro and Oneil Cruz, this Pirates team is more balanced then year’s past.
Pittsburgh opens their spring season this weekend as well, when they host the Blue Jays Saturday at LECOM Park.
The Baltimore Orioles were showcased on the Suncoast today as well. Baltimore is another young, improving team that’s in a “win-now” mode more than ever before.
With Adley Rutschman having already emerged and top prospects Gunnar Henderson and Grayson Rodriguez ready to break out, the Orioles are ready to capitalize on a talented roster.
With veterans Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander and Austin Hays making up the O’s outfield alongside a solid infield bolstered by the free-agent signing of former All-Star Adam Frazier, the Orioles are primed to make a jump in 2023.
The Orioles latest conglomerate of players will be in action this Saturday at Ed Smith Stadium against a split-squad Minnesota Twins.
Meanwhile, in Orlando, the Rays soaked in all ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex has to offer.
Bumped from the Suncoast to Orange County due to damage from Ian at Charlotte Sports Park, the Rays adjust to new digs with relatively the same squad as last season.
With a starting rotation aimed to compete with any in all of baseball when healthy, the Rays hope to stay competitive in an ever-growing AL East.
The Rays open their spring slate this Saturday on the road in Fort Myers, when they take on the split-squad Minnesota Twins.
