MLB Preview 2015: Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves 2014 Record: 79-83
Team Overview:
The 2014 Braves season ended in a downward spiral, which may just bleed over to 2015 as well. When looking at the 2015 Braves you have the two highest paid players on the pay roll being Melivn “BJ” Upton and Dan Uggla. If you’ve read the Nationals preview you would know that Uggla is now fighting for a job in Washington, and now Upton is fighting for his job in Atlanta as well. Upton will at least be on the team, but most fans wish he wasn’t for the past few seasons due to his plate performances. Upton will battle with Zolio Almonte, Johnny Gomes, Eric Young Jr, and Eury Perez for two starting outfield positions. To be honest there isn’t much in the whole group. That gives free agent signee Nick Markakis the duty to lead off in the lineup and be the stable player in right field. At age 31 he may not be a player to build around but he is a veteran presence some of the younger names may need.
The young players to build around are in the infield. With first baseman Freddie Freeman, and short stop Andrelton Simmons you have two players at 25 or under he can be core pieces to a winning team. The problem is they are currently dry when it comes to pieces around them. This team could be compared to a part of my Astros post where I said that by the time these two can be 27-28 year old veterans that they will have the pieces to build around the two. Chris Johnson, and Alberto Callaspo round out the infield and while Johnson is a solid MLB caliber player, there is not upside in the two. Overall this year will be finding out who can stick in the lineup the longest around Freeman, Simmons, and Markakis.
With hitting that cannot win a pennant the team should use 2015 to get a hard look at the rotation. The rotation is mainly young, including bullpen closer Craig Kimbrel. Mike Minor is the oldest starter expected at 27, but he is a major question as he can never seem to stay healthy, and has already seen the medical staff this spring. Julio Teheran is 24 and he is the brightest spot in the rotation. The team should spend its time seeing what they can do with him, and around him for the future. They can see first hand if Shelby Miller, Alex Wood, and Mike Flotynewicz are in the plans because all three should be in the rotation. Wood and Miller are both 24 and have a couple years of MLB experience. They both have strong upside and with a good Braves coaching staff watching these two develop will be a big factor in the success of the team. Foltynewicz is 23 and will start his first season on an MLB roster. He was a first round pick in 2010 and has some upside for his age. They have a few other young arms that will slot in for Minor but have little to rely on as consistent starters for this season. If injury is to strike the Braves have no chance, but with the young staff they can at least win a share of games.
What To Watch For?
For a team looking for youth to build on a key piece could be catcher Christian Bethancourt. Bethancourt got some MLB experience as the Braves faded out of contention but he looked good in his limited time. He will start as the every day catcher and looks to be a good defensive catcher with a decent bat and upside. He is only 23 and will have his growing pains but the team may have another name to add to the list of players to build around by August.
As the Braves fade out of contention I wouldn’t be surprised that many minor leaguers will play late in the season. Three names I would most keep an on that seem to be MLB ready are Jace Peterson, Jose Peraza, and Rio Ruiz. All of them are infielders and can seem to play any position, which is good since first and short appear to be taken for the future. With second and third open I would expect that Chris Johnson is expendable and that they will look for some emergence from these prospects. The team needs to assemble and outfield and can send one of the prospects, as well one of the younger pitchers in a deal to acquire someone to build around. These are all possible with infield, and pitching depth in the farm system, and potentially already on the club.
Where Do They Rank?
The Braves at least have direction and with that they can find ways to grind out wins. It will be tough for them to score through many points of the season and that won’t be easy to deal with. I think they are a couple years away from being back to contention and I have them ranked 4th in the division
