Braves Spring Training: Which Players Will Play Out of Position

This article breaks down how the Atlanta Braves are treating Spring Training as a sandbox for positional depth. Ronald Acuña Jr. is at the center of it all, dabbling at second base and even taking a few left-handed swings in batting practice.

Clips and playful projections have sparked chatter about Acuña possibly becoming a switch-hitting, second-base regular. Still, the main message is caution: keep Acuña healthy while poking around for useful roster options.

The piece also brings up Eli White and John Gant as examples of how versatility could expand the bench or defense. Spring sessions are about testing depth, not reinventing core stars.

Acuña’s Spring Training experiment: trying new on-field roles

Video popped up showing Ronald Acuña Jr. taking grounders at second base. He looked smooth turning double plays and showed off some range.

He even took a few left-handed swings in batting practice, which set off some wild, funny scenarios about him as a switch-hitting second baseman. But honestly, this is just spring—a time to see what players can do, not upend the team’s foundation.

The Braves have made it clear that health comes first. A dramatic shift in position sounds fun, but realistically, Acuña needs to protect his legs and stay in a spot where he’s already proven himself.

Jokes about inflated WAR projections are floating around, but the team cares more about his long-term value than any early-season experiments.

Balancing curiosity with health: Acuña’s long-term value

There’s a push and pull here—curiosity versus caution. The Braves want to see what Acuña can handle, but they know he’s crucial to the franchise’s future.

Keeping him in right field, and mixing in some DH, seems like the safe move. It’s about keeping him explosive and productive for as long as possible.

Fans might daydream about creative lineups, but inside the clubhouse, people don’t want to take unnecessary chances. Real testing will be slow and measured, with every outcome weighed against the risk of injury.

It’s a tricky balance: explore, but don’t gamble with Acuña’s health or the team’s long-term plans.

Other candidates for position flexibility

Aside from Acuña, Spring Training is a lab for fringe and utility players who could help when injuries hit or roster decisions get tough. The Braves are hunting for guys who can fill multiple spots and keep things flexible as the season drags on.

Eli White and the bench-crew fit

Eli White keeps coming up in these conversations. He’s not really seen as an infielder first, but his versatility could land him a bench job if he can handle second base and a few other roles.

No one’s calling him a future starter at a new spot. The team just wants to see if he can chip in when needed and help keep the roster moving when matchups or days off come up.

John Gant and the center-field question

Then there’s John Gant. Some chatter links him to a possible future in center field.

The author isn’t convinced that’ll happen anytime soon, but it does highlight something: athleticism and versatility can open doors, especially for a team juggling depth and injuries.

Spring Training as a testing ground for roster depth

Spring Training really sets the stage for experimentation and roster-building. There’s a sense of curiosity about possible moves, but also a strong urge to protect long-term value.

Fans can only guess which fringe or utility players might switch positions. Maybe someone’s hoping for a shot at the Opening Day roster.

• Key takeaway: Spring Training gives teams a chance to build depth and experiment—without messing with the core players.
• Key takeaway: Acuña’s health always comes first, so that shapes how much positional testing actually happens.
• Key takeaway: Players like Eli White and John Gant bring versatility. That could really impact the Braves’ bench and their flexibility in 2026.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Which Braves will play out of position this Spring?