Despite adding Jorge Soler, the Braves’ outfield remains problematic and may be among the worst in baseball, especially since Ronald Acuña Jr. was sidelined for the season with a torn ACL. Soler will eventually provide some relief, but the team is heavily relying on Michael Harris II to return within 10-14 days and resume his strong performance from earlier in his career.
Harris is set to be eligible to come off the IL on August 15th, and Alex Anthopoulos has hinted that a rehab assignment could be imminent. If all goes well, Harris should be activated around that date. The question then becomes: who will be removed from the roster when Harris returns?
Currently, Luke Williams seems like the least impactful player on the roster, but his versatility in the infield may keep him around until Ozzie Albies is back. It’s likely that one of the outfielders, who are filling in due to injuries and underperformance, will be designated for assignment.
Jarred Kelenic is expected to stay. While his performance has been somewhat disappointing, he remains the best option among the outfielders and is under contract for several more years after being acquired in a recent trade.
Adam Duvall is also likely to remain on the roster because of his proficiency against left-handed pitchers and his recent productive season with the Red Sox. Even though his career may be nearing its end, the Braves will likely keep him due to his potential to get hot and his previous success against southpaws.
This leaves Eddie Rosario and Ramon Laureano as the most likely candidates for designation. Rosario carries significant name value due to his past contributions, but his recent performance has been lackluster. In 23 games with the Braves, Rosario is hitting just .169 with a .481 OPS and has been underwhelming defensively. Since rejoining the team, he has made minimal impact.
On the other hand, Ramon Laureano has been more effective in his stint with Atlanta. Over 22 games, Laureano is batting .250 with a .710 OPS—modest but above average compared to many in the Braves lineup. He also offers better defensive capabilities and versatility, as he can cover all three outfield positions.
On the field, Laureano has done all he can to secure a roster spot. If the decision were made today, it would make sense for the Braves to keep him over Rosario. However, Rosario’s potential to get hot at the plate and his track record in clutch moments make him a compelling option.
With Harris’s return likely limiting both players’ starting opportunities, the choice may hinge on who the Braves trust more in critical late-game situations. In such scenarios, Rosario might be the preferred choice due to his history of delivering in the clutch.
