MLB Team Preview Series - Atlanta Braves
SteemSports Presenter: @bbleehehh9
SteemSports Editor: @theprophet0
The Braves (predictably) struggled in their first season at SunTrust Park, finishing with a record of 72-90. Remarkably, that mark was good enough for third in the National League East, ahead of the Mets and Phillies.
Impact Additions:
Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir
Key Departures:
Matt Kemp, R.A. Dickey
Projected Lineup:
CF - Ender Inciarte
2B - Ozzie Albies
1B - Freddie Freeman
C - Tyler Flowers
LF - Ronald Acuna
RF - Nick Markakis
3B - Johan Camargo
SS - Dansby Swanson
Projected Rotation:
Julio Teheran
Mike Foltynewicz
Brandon McCarthy
Sean Newcomb
Scott Kazmir
Projected Closer:
Arodys Vizcaino
Jose Ramirez
For the most part, the Braves are returning the same club that they went to war with in 2017, minus Matt Kemp from the middle of the lineup. While they are still at least a year or two away from being a serious competitor in the National League, there is a wealth of intriguing young talent that will be on display for the Braves in 2018. That starts with Ronald Acuna, widely regarded as the top prospect in all of baseball. There’s a very real chance that he breaks camp as the club’s starting left fielder, and if not he’ll be up very early in the season. He has the potential to be a five-category monster from the get-go. Ozzie Albies is also an outstanding young talent that should be a star in Atlanta for the next decade. The 21-year-old slashed a mighty .286/.354/.456 with six homers and eight stolen bases during his 57 game audition in 2017.
Just how well the Braves do in 2018 will depend on the strength of their starting pitching. Julio Teheran has performed at an ace level in the past, but fell off of a cliff in 2017. The Braves’ new park plays to his weaknesses as Teheran allows a lot of fly balls and can’t get left-handed hitters out, so don’t expect a major rebound in 2018. Brandon McCarthy adds stability to the middle of the rotation and a veteran presence to teach the kids, but durability has always been his biggest problem. They’ll need him to stay upright and make 25+ starts.
Fantasy Sleeper - Ozzie Albies - 2B
Very few players in MLB history have put up the kind of numbers that Albies did as a 20-year-old in 2017. He’s expected to hit second in the Braves’ lineup which should lead to ample opportunity to score runs and he should be a lock for 40 combined HR+SB. Fantasy owners aren’t sleeping on him, as he’s going around pick 127 overall. I think that even at that price, there’s substantial room for profit if Albies performs as I anticipate.
Fantasy Bust - Julio Teheran - SP
I touched on it a bit above, but I’m very down on Teheran heading into 2018 and don’t think for a second that a rebound is in the cards. The right-hander has historically struggled against left-handed hitters and the Braves’ new ballpark is one of the best in the league for left-handed power. Combine those two factors, and Teheran allowed an absurd 1.48 HR/9 in 2017. While that number may come down slightly, he’s still a fly ball pitcher in what looks to be an extreme hitter’s park.
Team Projection
The Braves have an exciting young core and are going to be a very interesting team in the near future. Unfortunately, that future isn’t going to be 2018. If everything breaks right, they could play around .500 ball, but they aren’t going to be contending for a Wild Card spot. The joy that Braves fans will get in 2018 is from watching the rise to stardom for Acuna, Albies and perhaps Dansby Swanson along with witnessing the development of the young pitching staff.
Oh man am I excited for this team! Inciarte is the perfect speed/contact lead off man with a Gold Glove out in CF. I think Ozzie and Acuna will live up to the hype and they're both coming into the league at a great time without much pressure on the team as a whole to perform. Freeman is the rock in the middle of the lineup who was on pace to win MVP until he got hurt last year and I think will get more attention around the league as we out up more wins. Now i'm just waiting for Dansby to turn into Chipper Jones (lol) and then we'll have a squad! Really is a fun/young team with a ton of potential. We've made the right moves since we decided to blow things up and I believe there will be a winning team in SunTrust Park very very soon.
They'll definitely be a fun team to watch. Unlike a lot of rebuilding clubs, there's a ton of MLB-ready talent here already that gives hope for a quick turnaround. Acuna and Albies in particular are going to be terrific.
I have been a Braves fan since Hammerin' Hank was blasting balls out of Turner Field. I watched gleefully as our beloved Bobby Cox led the team to an astounding 14 division championships in a row.
I used to live near Richmond, Va., so I saw many Braves play before moving up to the "big league", including Dale Murphy, who signed a baseball for me.
I have remained loyal during the bad times as well, when they were the worst team in baseball. I knew we were in trouble when the 2016 season started out with Atlanta losing their first 9 games! I've followed them from worst to first and back again.
This year will be another one of those "close, but no cigar" seasons I fear. But will I remain a true, loyal Braves fan, even if they finish dead last?
You betcha!
Few better organizations to follow over the last 25 years than the Braves. I'm a Tigers' fan and grew up with the Braves' being my favorite team in the National League. We even helped each other out in '87 sending Smoltz there in the Doyle Alexander deal :)
Yea I'm still pissed about that deal! lol
I bet that was awesome getting to see the young studs in the minors in Richmond and watch them grow up. I've been able to go to some Gwinett Braves games and its a joy to see the future