The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wilson is off to good start in bid to make rotation
Bryse Wilson hopes he opens the season in the Braves’ rotation, but if the situation doesn’t unfold to his preference, he’s eager to contribute in any capacity.
Wilson spoke with reporters Thursday for the first time this spring. He’d just completed his first exhibition outing, allowing one hit and striking out two over two scoreless innings in the Braves’ 6-1 loss to the Pirates.
“I feel like I executed a lot of pitches,” Wilson said. “I was able to mix in all three off-speed pitches. They all felt good.”
There’s a chance Wilson is competing for a job that isn’t vacant. The Braves’ rotation is set with Max Fried, Ian Anderson, Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly. Mike Soroka, recovering from a torn Achilles, is up in the air for opening day. If he’s with the team, the rotation is filled. If he begins the season on the injured list, Wilson is among those battling for the temporary opening.
How badly does Wilson want to be in the rotation? “More than anything,” he said. “I’m going to do everything I can in my power to go out there and throw the ball as well as I can. At the end of the day, hopefully I’m in the rotation. If not, just keep moving forward and keep working.”
As for potentially being a reliever: “I want to help the team as much as possible. If that’s in the bullpen, then that’s where I’d like to be.”
If Wilson doesn’t start the season in the majors, the 162-game schedule will eventually provide an opportunity.
Other notes from Thursday: ■ The Braves opened the scoring in the first inning. Shortstop Dansby Swanson doubled in his first at-bat. Austin Riley followed with a single. Pablo Sandoval’s sacrifice fly scored Swanson. It was the only noteworthy offensive sequence for the Braves, who had five hits.
■ Manager Brian Snitker has mentioned reliever William Woods on several occasions over the past week. Woods, 22, pitched Thursday, pumping mid- to high-90mph fastballs. He surrendered a homer to Joe Hudson, but Woods flashed an impressive arsenal that surely makes him a prospect to watch.
“That delivery, once he gets comfortable and confident, he can reach back and get even more,” Snitker said. “I really like the delivery and the stuff.”
■ Catcher William Contreras spoke with reporters Thursday. He’s feeling confident as the competition between him and Alex Jackson gets underway. Contreras noted he’s been working diligently on his defense and receiving. The team seems comfortable with either player as a backup to Travis d’arnaud.
■ How about this stat from numbers guru Ryan Spaeder (@ theaceofspaeder on Twitter): Ronald Acuna Jr. scored a run 56.1% of the time he reached base in 2020. That’s not exactly a secret formula, but good things happen when Acuna is on base.
■ The Braves were among the 11 teams represented at Yoenis Cespedes’ recent showcase, according to the New York Post. It was likely just due diligence, as the Braves have left no stone unturned in their search for bench help. The former star slugger, 35, has played in only 46 games across the past three seasons. He’s best served as a designated hitter.
■ First baseman Freddie Freeman is expected to make his spring debut today against the Twins.
The College Football Playoff management committee has appointed Georgia State Athletic Director Charlie Cobb to the CFP selection committee, executive director Bill Hancock announced.
Cobb will replace Terry Mohajir, who left Arkansas State to become the athletic director at Central Florida. Mohajir completed the final year of his term with the committee.
“Charlie will be a welcome addition to our committee,” Hancock said. “His knowledge and experience as a former student-athlete as well as his leadership of the football programs at Appalachian State and Georgia State have prepared him well for this role.”
Cobb has served as AD at Georgia State since 2014. During his time at GSU, the school has opened multiple new facilities, while athletes have maintained a GPA above 3.0. Among Cobb’s biggest projects has been a $50 million transformation of Turner Field, the former Braves’ stadium, into the home of Georgia State football. On the field, the Panthers earned their first bowl appearance in 2015 and bowl berths in four of the past six years. The men’s basketball program has grabbed a spot in the NCAA Tournament in three of the past five seasons.
Before returning to Atlanta, Cobb spent nine years as the AD at Appalachian State. He also worked for six years with the Atlanta Sports Council, the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl and the Georgia Dome, before returning to his alma mater, North Carolina State as senior associate AD for external operations in 1998.