Veteran utilityman’s first start as pitcher goes incredibly poorly, NL East preview: Can anyone dethrone the Atlanta Braves?
Longtime MLB utilityman Charlie Culberson is attempting to make the Atlanta Braves roster as a pitcher, but his spring debut did not exactly start off on the right foot.
Culberson made his first MLB appearance as a pitcher in Saturday’s spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles. The very first batter he faced was Orioles minor leaguer Maverick Handley, who Culberson promptly hit in the head with what appeared to be a breaking ball that badly missed its target.
Things did not improve much for Culberson, as he walked the next batter before notching a strikeout. After that, the outing completely fell apart, as a walk, a double, and a sacrifice fly led to three runs scoring. Culberson was relieved with two outs, and just to twist the knife, the final baserunner he allowed wound up scoring later in the inning.
Culberson certainly was not trying to hit anyone. For one thing, he knows how it feels. If he has any hope of making the MLB club out of spring camp, though, he is going to have to show much better command than that.
Culberson has played 11 years in MLB and is a career .248 hitter with 30 home runs. While a number of pitchers were once position players, that change was usually made in the minors when they were very young, not on the back end of a lengthy MLB career. Culberson would be very unique if he were to succeed in his goal.
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NL East preview: Can anyone dethrone the Atlanta Braves?
The Atlanta Braves are in the midst of another NL East dynasty.
The division has been theirs since 2018, a streak of six consecutive seasons with the crown. This run has included a World Series title, their second since moving to Atlanta. That regular-season success has not mattered as much of late, though, as the division rival Phillies have eliminated the Braves in the last two divisional rounds. It should not be a surprise that those two teams factor prominently in the NL playoff hunt once again.
Here is how we think the NL East will shake out in 2024. (The 2023 record and standing are in parenthesis.)
1. Atlanta Braves (104-58, first)
Picking the Braves to win the NL East is hardly a bold prediction – FanGraphs lists the Braves as having the best odds to win their division, clinch a bye for the first round and even make the playoffs.
The Braves being the favorites should not be a surprise. Their core is returning intact and locked in for the foreseeable future. Additions such as Aaron Bummer, Reynaldo Lopez and Jarred Kelenic have improved the Braves’ overall depth. The acquisition of Boston Red Sox starter Chris Sale was the Braves’ biggest move of the offseason – if he can return to the form he displayed before being injured, he could be a difference maker. He appears to be healthy thus far.
The Atlanta Braves have won the NL East for six consecutive years. There is no reason not to expect a seventh divisional title.
Charlie Culberson hit the first batter he faced in the head pic.twitter.com/BTlcOSJOXQ
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 9, 2024
2. Philadelphia Phillies (90-72, second)
The Phillies were a game away from returning to the World Series in 2023 for the second consecutive year. That should only make them hungrier for success this season.
That hunger has not translated to the offseason. The Phillies were heavily involved in Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s market, with Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reporting that the Phillies offered a larger contract than he signed for with the Dodgers. Aaron Nola returned after a brief time as a free agent, Zack Wheeler signed an extension and Bryce Harper is officially a first baseman. Otherwise, adding utility man Whit Merrifield and failed prospect Kolby Allard are the Phillies’ biggest offseason moves. It is not enough for a division with the Braves.
The Phillies are still a talented team. They just have not done enough to wrestle the division away from Atlanta.
3. New York Mets (75-87, fourth)
A disastrous 2023 season led to a slew of changes for the Mets.
Carlos Mendoza is in as the new manager. The Mets eschewed their previous high-spending ways under Steve Cohen, with none of their free agents signing for more than two years. The Mets were able to add numerous solid, and intriguing pieces, such as Sean Manaea, Harrison Bader, Adam Ottavino, Shintaro Fijinami and Luis Severino, adding to their talented core. These one-year deals also set the Mets up to be significant players in the 2024-25 free agent market as they look to re-open their window.
The Mets are still a talented and dangerous team. It would not be a surprise if they hovered around a playoff berth.
4. Miami Marlins (84-78, third)
The 2023-24 offseason could be a missed opportunity for the Marlins.
After a surprising run to the postseason, the Marlins had a chance to improve their lineup to take that next step. Instead, general manager Kim Ng left the organization after the Marlins reportedly wanted to add another decision maker to the front office. And the Marlins did not do much to add to the roster. Nick Gordon is a solid acquisition but is not a difference maker. Tim Anderson, the only Major League free agent the Marlins signed this offseason, was the worst player in the Majors in 2023. The pitching staff should still be a strength but the Marlins did not do nearly enough to address their offensive issues. That will come back to haunt them this season.
The Miami Marlins were a surprise team in 2023. This year, the Marlins could be a case of wondering ‘what if.’
5. Washington Nationals (71-91, fifth)
The Nationals are all about the future.
MLB.com ranked the Nationals as having the 12th best farm system in the Majors, but that does not tell the entire story. Dylan Crews, James Wood and Brady House are all ranked among the top 50 prospects in baseball. Youngsters such as Keibert Ruiz, CJ Abrams, Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore are starting to establish themselves in the Majors. While the Nationals should be improved in 2024, it is not likely to matter in regards to their record.
The Nationals have their eyes on the future. Based on their prospects and young players already in Washington, that future could be bright indeed.
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