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And will it be a record (low)?"When I was putting together the 2019 projections posts for these here Atlanta Braves http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , I was surprised to find that for the first time in my compilation of them, there weren’t really questions about which position players to feature or exclude. This may not be surprising to you: the roster, on the position player side, seems fairly set. You’ve got your eight starters, abackup catcher, a fourth outfielder, and two roving utility men, both of whom can play most positions on the diamond. If someone gets injured or has to take a breather, the 2019 Atlanta Braves may not need to call up another position player given their positional depth. On top of that, no position spot is really in flux; no live tryouts are expected to proceed. Combine that with a relative dearth of prospects pushing into the lineup from the high minors (most are already here), and it definitely feels like you have the makings of a pretty steady cast of characters.But, how steady is actually steady? Feels like is never a good substitute for actually knowing. Let’s start with 2018. In 2018, teams used an average of 23 position players; the Braves deployed 24. Six teams were tied for the fewest used with 20. Of course, that Braves team was far more in flux than this one — it featured a bunch of veteran stopgap signings, including Chris Stewart, Peter Bourjos, and Jose Bautista, each of whom barely figured into the team’s current or future plans before being jettisoned. Injuries, roster shuffling, and a midseason trade added new names into the mix. The Braves would have actually used only 21 players last year, but they gave a sum total of 13 plate appearances to Michael Reed, Rene Rivera, and Dustin Peterson. (They were one of only four teams in 2018 to give 10 or fewer PAs to three or more different position players.)But, 2018 was a different year with a considerably different situation for the Braves. For 2019, the Fangraphs Depth Charts estimate that 16 different position players will appear in an Atlanta Braves uniform. This includes the 12 expected names, plus the other backup outfielder (at this point, Adam Duvall), a third catcher (Raffy Lopez), and two prospects (Austin Riley, Alex Jackson). Here’s the thing about that 16: it’s pretty low! These same Depth Charts estimate that if the Braves will use the second-fewest position players in 2019, tied with the Phillies and just one more than the Cubs.So, 16 is low, but not even the lowest projected. But, as we saw above, 16 would be much lower than what any team managed to field in 2018. So, is it the depth charts that are overly optimistic about health and stability, or was 2018 just a weird year? You probably won’t be surprised to learn that it was the former. I went back to 2001 and collected the total number of position players used, by year and team. Here are some summary statistics:Since that period, the average team used 23 position players.The fewest position players used by any team was 17 — the Braves did this in 2003, and then no other team managed this few for over a decade http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , until the Pirates and Twins both did so in 2017. So, if any team actually managed to use only 16 position players for an entire year, they’d set a record, at least for recent history.There’s no real monotonic trend in the average number of position players used per team. It increased from 2001 to 2014, as teams added about 1.5 position players, on average. This can potentially be attributed to more specialized player usage, i.e., for platoons and defensive replacements. But, it then fell back to mid-2000s levels (shedding an entire player) between 2014 and 2017, presumably as teams loaded their rosters with relievers, before a one-year bounceback in 2018. In any case, it’s hard to say that the Braves, or any team, is well-positioned to break the “fewest position players used” record for the last two decades because the number keeps falling, as it doesn’t.Just for fun, the 2004 Royals and 2013 Yankees each used 33 position players, which, that’s a lot. I suggest you peek here — does this resemble any Yankees team you can remember?as few names as possible. But, one way to do both is to keep everyone healthy. And who knows? If something happens to the Cubs, the Braves avoid any injuries, and are in too tight of a race in September to give any PAs to call-ups or potentially-dubious performers, maybe they will end at 16. Probably not, but you never know. That’s the fun of baseball.(And we’re not even going to talk about pitchers, where the Braves have no shot whatsoever.) Chicago Cubs:RHP Trevor Clifton(AA/AAA: 20 GS, 5-6, 3.35 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 42 BB, 86 K, 104.2 IP)Once viewed as one of the better arms in a pitching-thin Cubs system, Trevor Clifton saw his stock tumble last season when he went 5-8 with a 5.20 ERA and 1.57 WHIP over 100.1 innings at Double-A.MLB.com explained: "He entered last year as the best mound prospect in the upper levels of the system, but returning nearby where he grew up to pitch for Double-A Tennessee proved to be too much of a distraction. He got hammered to the tune of a 7.99 ERA during the final three months, earning a mandate from club officials to get stronger mentally and physically."It appears he's done just that, as an excellent start back at Double-A has earned him his first taste of Triple-A action. The Cubs have already turned to Duane Underwood, Jen-Ho Tseng and Luke Farrell for spot starts with little success, so don't be surprised if Clifton is next.Cincinnati Reds:RHP Jimmy Herget(AAA: 41 G, 1-2, 2.77 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 20 BB Anibal Sanchez Jersey , 54 K, 48.2 IP)The bullpen has been a strength this season for the rebuilding Reds. They rank 16th in the majors with a 4.04 ERA as a group, and while that might not sound like much, it's a stark improvement over the 4.65 ERA they posted a season ago.Unfortunately, that stability has meant fewer opportunities for someone like Jimmy Herget.A Futures Game participant in 2017, Herget is MLB-ready with a mid-90s fastball, plus slider and a deceptive delivery that helps his already solid stuff play up.The 24-year-old will need to be added to the 40-man roster this winter anyway to be protected from the Rule 5 draft, so that should increase his chances of earning a late promotion.Milwaukee Brewers:LHP Quintin Torres-Costa(AA/AAA: 34 G, 4 SV, 1.45 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 18 BB, 54 K, 43.1 IP)It's unlikely the Brewers would consider calling up top prospect Keston Hiura given the current infield logjam, and top pitching prospect Corbin Burnes is already working out of the big league bullpen, so we have to dig a bit deeper here.Aside from All-Star Josh Hader, the only lefty in the bullpen is Dan Jennings, who has been excellent in middle relief.With a number of potent lefties residing in the NL Central, it wouldn't hurt to add another southpaw to the mix for the stretch run, and Quintin Torres-Costa looks like the leading candidate.A late-round find as a 35th-round pick out of Waiakea High School in Hawaii in 2015, Torres-Costa showed well in the Arizona Fall League last year (10 G, 4.50 ERA, 16 K, 14.0 IP), and he's continued to impress against upper-level competition.Pittsburgh Pirates:RHP Clay Holmes(A+/AAA: 17 GS, 7-3, 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 38 BB, 100 K, 95.1 IP)The Pirates added a major weapon to the bullpen when they acquired Keone Kela from the Rangers at the trade deadline, but there's still room to improve a unit that ranks 19th in the majors with a 4.21 ERA.While Clay Holmes has been used almost exclusively as a starter since he was selected in the ninth round of the 2011 draft, he has the stuff to be an asset out of the bullpen, even if it's just a temporary move.To that point, MLB.com wrote: "There has been talk about moving Holmes to the bullpen, where that sinker-cutter combination could be extremely effective.For now, he'll likely keep starting as rotation depth so he can fill any kind of role once the need arises in Pittsburgh."The immediate need is in the bullpen, and he's ready to help.St. Louis Cardinals:RHP Giovanny Gallegos(AAA: 20 G, 2 SV, 3.41 ERA http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , 1.14 WHIP, 10 BB, 44 K, 31.2 IP)Chasen Shreve and Giovanny Gallegos were both acquired in the deal that sent slugging first baseman Luke Voit to the Yankees ahead of the trade deadline. The Cardinals slotted Shreve in the big league bullpen immediately, and Gallegos should soon follow.The 26-year-old has punched out 169 batters in 123 innings at the Triple-A level over parts of the last four seasons, posting a 2.12 ERA and 0.94 WHIP along the way.His fastball/curveball gives him legitimate swing-and-miss stuff and he's already a member of the 40-man roster, so expect to see him in St. Louis at some point before the season is over.NL West6 of 6Shaun AndersonRob Carr/Getty ImagesArizona Diamondbacks:RHP Jimmie Sherfy(AAA: 31 G, 14 SV, 1.30 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 15 BB, 48 K, 34.2 IP)It's a bit puzzling that Jimmie Sherfy has not gotten more of a chance at the MLB level.The 26-year-old was lights-out during the 2017season, posting a 3.12 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 11.2 K/9 in 44 appearances at Triple-A before capping off the year with 10.2 scoreless innings out of the big league bullpen.He's continued to dominate Triple-A hitters this season with his 70-grade fastball and plus curveball, yet he's seen just four innings of work in the majors.The deadline additions of Brad Ziegler and Jake Diekman won't make it any easier for Sherfy to find work. Contenders can always use more bullpen help for the stretch run though, and he'll be ready when the need arises.Colorado Rockies:RHP Peter Lambert(AA/AAA: 21 GS, 10-5, 2.82 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 91 K, 121.1 IP)With Chad Bettis looking extremely rusty in his return to action (4.2 IP, 8 H, 9 ER), the Rockies might need to consider other options for the rotation if he doesn't improve quickly.Peter Lambert is the top pitching prospect in the system, and he's enjoying a breakout season in the upper levels of the minors that hasvaulted him into the top-100 prospect conversation.MLB.com wrote: "Lambert shows the potential for four pitches that could be at least solid. His fastball sits at 92-94 mph and peaks at 96, and he keeps it off barrels with sink, angle and very good command. His tumbling changeup may be his most consistent plus pitch, though his low-80s curveball can be even better than that at times."His 4.71 ERA and 1.79 WHIP in six starts since being promoted to Triple-A gives some reason for pause, but that's largely a result of one brutal start (1.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 ER), and there's little doubt he's capable of making a major impact at the next level.Los Angeles Dodgers:OF Alex Verdugo(AAA: 310 PA, .345/.397/.489, 25 XBH,8 HR, 40 RBI, 36 R)Matt Kemp (64 PA, .179 BA http://www.twinsfanproshop.com/authentic-max-kepler-jersey , .569 OPS) and Kike Hernandez (51 PA, .146 BA, .409 OPS) have gone ice cold at the plate since the All-Star break, yet both players continue to see regular playing time in the Dodgers outfield.Meanwhile, top prospect Alex Verdugo has once again owned Triple-A pitching, while also posting a .280/.345/.440 line in 56 plate appearances scattered over a handful of call-ups to the majors.The strong first-half performance from Kemp was a pleasant surprise and Hernandez is a valuable utility option off the bench, but if the Dodgers are serious about winning a title, they need to consider giving Verdugo a regular role down the stretch.The status quo doesn't make sense when guys aren't hitting. San Diego Padres:2B Luis Urias(AAA: 461 PA, .273/.383/.415, 35 XBH,8 HR, 39 RBI, 68 R)Is Luis Urias ready to take over the everyday second base job in 2019?That's a question that will need to be answered, and giving the 21-year-old an extended look the rest of the way could help provide some clarity.Carlos Asuaje (209 PA, .198 BA, .569 OPS), Cory Spangenberg (219 PA, .238 BA, .652 OPS) and Jose Pirela (398 PA, .251 BA, .647 OPS) are not long-term pieces of the puzzle.Meanwhile, with a 70-grade hit tool, plus speed and the glove to play on either side of second base, Urias has a chance to be a cornerstone piece in San Diego.San Francisco Giants:RHP Shaun Anderson(AA/AAA: 20 GS, 7-7, 3.74 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 32 BB, 108 K, 118.0 IP)The Giants have been forced to cobble together a starting rotation for much of the season, and with Johnny Cueto lost for the year to Tommy John surgery, that figures to continue the rest of the way.Shaun Anderson has emerged as the best pitching prospect in the system this season, and after earning a promotion to Triple-A, he's knocking on the door.The 23-year-old "has the look of a durable No. 3 starter," according to MLB.com, and giving him a chance to prove himself down the stretch could have an impact on the team's offseason plans. Shoring up the starting staff figures to be a priority, but if Anderson shows well, perhaps they can focus their attention elsewhere. All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs, and accurate through Aug. 7.