Outfielders (6)

Ronald Acuña Jr.

Michael Harris

Eddie Rosario

Marcell Ozuna (primary designated hitter)

Kevin Pillar

Sam Hilliard

The first four were simple. The first three are starters. The other, Ozuna, is someone who manager Brian Snitker said would be on the team. The Braves would not be surprised if Ozuna bounces back.

Then things become challenging. Which two outfielders do you take from among Pillar, Hilliard, Jordan Luplow and Eli White? For one, I went with Hilliard. He’s playing well and is out of minor league options, which means the Braves would lose him if he didn’t make the team. His tools, especially with his defense and with his legs, can help this club.

I chose Pillar for the other spot because he seems like the type of player — the versatile veteran — the Braves have carried in recent seasons. The Braves told Pillar his opportunity here was legitimate. (In other words, he wouldn’t simply be a body in camp.)

Would all of that be enough to push Pillar past Luplow, whom the Braves gave a $1.4 million guaranteed deal? I don’t know. But one thing I kept in mind is that Luplow entered camp with oblique soreness. Obliques can be tricky. By the end of Friday, Luplow had played in four spring games to continue his progression, but we’ll have to see whether he’s ready for opening day. The Braves won’t rush him back, especially considering Luplow’s oblique troubles go back to last year, when he played for Arizona.

The Braves gave Luplow guaranteed money, but he does have a minor-league option remaining. I truly believe the Braves were excited about signing him and believed he could be an integral part of their team. That probably hasn’t changed over the past month and change, but they do have a ton of outfield options, and the Braves brought in Pillar and White after they signed Luplow.

Keep in mind that a baseball season is long. Injuries are unfortunate, but they do occur. Eventually, the player who seizes his opportunity will earn the most playing time. These things usually work themselves out as the season progresses.

Kevin Pillar, a versatile veteran, could land one of the backup outfield spots. He has been with six organizations in his career and played only four games at the major league level last season with the Dodgers.