Braves looking to bounce back following September collapse
The 2011 season was an eventful one in so many ways for the Atlanta Braves. Following the retirement of long term skipper Bobby Cox, former Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez took over the reins and had the unenviable job of replacing the man ranked fourth all-time in wins as a manger. Having gone into September a full 25 games over .500, few people would have bet against them extending their season for a second successive year. Yet, a collapse that saw them go 9-18 down the stretch cost them the Wild Card spot. A final day 13 inning defeat to the Phillies was the final straw.
The play of unanimous NL Rookie of the Year, closer Craig Kimbrel, was clearly one of the brightest aspects of the Braves season. However, a solid starting rotation, with four starters claiming ERAs under 3.70, also clearly played a massive part in the Braves success and Gonzalez will be hoping the rotation can replicate that sort of form. Derek Lowe, on the other hand, never seemed to recover from an early season DUI arrest and was traded in the off-season. Despite being ranked 26th in the majors in batting average, the 2011 Braves had no fewer than eight hitters top the double figure mark in home runs, and should the likes of Dan Uggla, Brian McCann et al replicate those numbers, the Braves can prove to be a difficult match-up for any team.
IN : Luis Durango (OF – Houston), Dusty Hughes (RP – Minnesota), Adam Russell (RP – Tampa Bay), Josh Wilson (INF – Milwaukee)
OUT : Brooks Conrad (INF – Milwaukee), Alex Gonzalez (INF – Milwaukee), Wes Helms (INF), Diory Hernandez (INF – Houston), Scott Linebrink (RP – St.Louis), Derek Lowe (SP – Cleveland), Julio Lugo (INF), Nate McLouth (OF – Pittsburgh), Wil Nieves (C – Colorado), Wilkin Ramirez (OF – Minnesota), Antoan Richardson (OF – Baltimore), George Sherrill (RP – Seattle), Matt Young (OF – Detroit)
Catchers : All-Star Brian McCann is considered by many as the best catcher in the National League and the Georgia native will be looking to add to his growing accolades with another solid season behind the plate, having hit between 18 and 24 homers in each of the last six seasons. He will likely be assisted for the fourth consecutive season by David Ross who has hit .274 in limited action since joining the Braves in 2009. Despite being aged 32 and 30 respectively, J.C. Boscan and Jose Yepez have a total of nine at-bats in the Majors between them, so here’s hoping McCann can stay healthy.
Infielders : The Braves boast a very solid infield, including Chipper Jones who will be entering his 17th season as an everyday player for the franchise and is just 123 games away from the 2,500 mark in a Braves uniform. Despite his age, Jones can still swing the bat, just like his infield partners Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman. Uggla hit a team high 36 homers last year while Freeman finished second behind team-mate Kimbrel in the Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .282 and 21 HRs. With Gonzalez and Conrad having departed, shortstop is a real problem area for the Braves front office with young Tyler Pastornicky favourite to land the spot despite having never seen a pitch in the big leagues. He did, however, hit .365 at AAA Gwinnett last year. Depth is a real problem for the Braves, with Jack Wilson and Brandon Hicks the only other infielders currently on the roster, with both players combining for just 62 at bats last season.
Outfielders : Martin Prado is the ultimate utility man, having played over 100 games at second base, third base and in the outfield since his debut in 2006, and is the favourite to get the everyday job in left, although Matt Diaz is more than capable of covering that position should Prado be needed to play the infield. The outfield will be completed by speedster Michael Bourn in centre and Jason Heyward who will be looking to improve after suffering something of a sophomore slump last year, hitting just .227. Like Prado, Eric Hinske, entering his third season for the Braves, can provide depth both in the outfield and infield, while Jose Constanza will see time mainly as a speedster on the bases and in defence in last game situations, a role in which he thrived in his rookie season last year.
Starting Pitchers : Four of the five starters from last season are returning, and manager Gonzalez will be hoping that the youthful rotation will be able to remain healthy for the entire season. Jair Jurrjens has been outstanding since being traded from Detroit prior to the 2008 and went 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA last year while rotation partner Brandon Beachy impressed during his rookie campaign. Elsewhere the veteran Tim Hudson (3.22) and Tommy Hanson (3.60) both recorded highly respectable ERAs in 2011 and will be looking to further stabilise a potent rotation. There are three names attempting to grab the fifth starter spot, with 24 year old Mike Minor being the ‘old’ head, having started 24 games in the last two years. Youngsters Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran, both 21, are potential stars of the future who are likely to see time in the Majors this season and may even force their way into the Opening Day Roster if they catch the eye in Spring Training.
Relief Pitchers : After a record breaking rookie season all eyes will be on closer Craig Kimbrel to see whether he can replicate his 46 save, 2.10 ERA performance from last year. It would be a brave man to bet against it, such is the skill set the 23 year old. The Braves have an array of young arms that will be called upon. Lefties Jonny Venters and Eric O’Flaherty form a terrific lefty partnership, having combined for a 1.45 ERA while each appearing in over 75 games. Elsewhere Christhian Martinez and Anthony Varvaro are likely to eat up the majority of the innings left by the departed Sherrill and Linebrink. Peter Moylan is returning and holds a career ERA of just 2.60, but there are injury worries surrounding him, and he will likely have to compete for a roster spot with the like of non-roster invitee Dusty Hughes, Arodys Vizcaino and Kris Medlen with the latter arguably the one who will have the closest eye kept on him during Spring Training.
PREDICTION : All the talk in the NL East is of the Miami Marlins, and I think it will be between the Braves and the Marlins for the second spot in the division. In my mind, Phillies are still the team to beat. The Braves have a decent, but not breathtaking roster and they will win their fare share of games. If everything goes to plan, I see the Braves finishing in third place.
