But what if their performances are head and shoulders better than the performances of more veteran players? Will Wren and manager Bobby Cox decide the parent club's chance for more wins outweighs the extra development? Remember, some of them -- Tommy Hanson, for one -- have yet to play at Class AAA, let alone the majors.

And how much will Wren consider future contracts and arbitration-eligible situations, which would be accelerated if the kids started the season on the Braves' roster?

Consider this: Right-hander Kris Medlen was asked to pitch only one inning on March 7. He's been a starter -- at the Class AA level last season. At this point, a starter would be adding innings to stretch out. Does the fact that Medlen worked so little mean he has a shot at bullpen spot on the parent club?

Cox has called Medlen, who walked only one hitter in 19 innings in the Arizona Fall League, "a dark horse." But the 23-year-old isn't on the 40-man roster; he's in camp as a non-roster invitee. Meaning that Wren would have to manipulate the roster to make room. He will have some help in that area to begin the season, though, as he'll be able to assign some players, such as Tim Hudson, to the 60-day disabled list.

As for Hanson, Cox says, he's "advanced on knowing how to correct a pitch." That's huge for any pitcher, never mind a pitcher with no major league experience.

In Hanson's case, the Braves believe they are sitting on a once-in-a-generation pitcher, the kind that brought them to prominence in the 1990s. Whether they decide to use him or protect him -- assuming those goals are mutually exclusive -- will be a revealing call.