With almost every position locked up for several years, shortstop remains the one big question mark for the Atlanta Braves going forward.

Orlando Arcia is under team control for three more seasons at just $2 million — remaining one of the best values in baseball. But on a team that is loaded, Arcia projects to have the lowest wRC+ of any starter in 2024 at 96, which is just below the league average of 100.

While Arcia is a solid defender at shortstop with a strong arm, he doesn’t have a ton of range.

Because of the talent around him, there isn’t an immediate need for the Braves to make an upgrade at shortstop, which is a good thing because they don’t have anyone in the system who is close to being ready.

Leaving Spring Training last year you felt pretty good about the depth at shortstop with the bat of Vaughn Grissom and the glove of Braden Shewmake.

Now both are gone, leaving many to wonder what the future of the position looks like in Atlanta.

The 25-year-old and 5th-round pick out of Georgia Tech isn’t likely to be an everyday shortstop with his 5-foot-7 frame. That said, he does handle the position well enough.

At the plate, he’s more of a contact/on-base hitter with some speed. Last year he slashed .275/.384/.376 at Double-A and Triple-A with 8 home runs, 29 stolen bases, 85 walks, and just 72 strikeouts in 130 games.

Waddell’s value is in a super-utility role on the bench.

Cal Conley — Similar in size to Waddell, Conley isn’t likely to be an everyday shortstop. His offense took a nose dive at Double-A in 2023 when he hit just .219 with 3 home runs in 135 games.

He also figures to be a bench/utility player at the next level.

Ignacio Alvarez — Perhaps the most talked about hitting prospect in the system, Alvarez played 107 games at shortstop last year and got rave reviews for his quick hands.