Atlanta Braves
2015 Win/Loss Record:
67-95, 4th in National League East
Last Postseason
Appearance: 2013
Last World Series
Championship: 1995
Key Arrivals: Erick Aybar (SS), Tyler Flowers (C), Casey Kelly (P)
Key Departures: Christian Bethancourt (C), Cameron Maybin (OF), Shelby Miller (P)
Manager: Fredi
Gonzalez, 6th Year, W/L
425-385
(701-664 in 9 years with Marlins and Braves)
(701-664 in 9 years with Marlins and Braves)
Overall Review: Fredi Gonzalez is only
the second manager the Atlanta Braves have had since 1991. Needless to say, he
hasn’t been nearly successful as his predecessor Bobby Cox. A team that made
the postseason for 14 consecutive times from 1991-2005, has had a bit of a
roller coaster ride since. They last made the playoffs in 2013, but bowed out
in four games in the NLDS.
Chances are they won’t get a
sniff of October baseball this year. In fact, they may challenge for 100 losses
if they’re not careful. No big name free agents signed in the offseason and the
pitching staff has a lot of holes and question marks. In the final season in
Turner Field before moving to their new home in 2017, the Braves will likely
wind up in the basement of the NL East.
Offense: When you have a team that’s
going nowhere, you look to the future and see what potential superstars you may
have. The best prospect for the Braves is Hector Olivera. Although he’s no
spring chicken—he’ll turn 31 this year—he is still new to the Big Leagues after
having defected from Cuba. In 24 games with the Atlanta last year, he hit .253
and hit two homers and drove in eleven. He can play either third base or the
outfield. The Braves are hoping they can build around him over the next half
dozen years or so.
First baseman Freddie Freeman is
perhaps the best hitter the Braves have. In 2015, Freeman batted .276 while
hitting 18 home runs and adding 66 RBIs. Third baseman, Adonis Garcia is
another prospect who could be with the Braves for several years. Another Cuban
who will turn 31 this year, Garcia played 58 games last season, but impressed
greatly by batting .277 and hitting 10 homers while driving in 26. Projected
over a full season, Garcia could be a 30 home run, 80 RBI hitter.
Pitching: As far as the pitching staff
goes, they are going to have to take their lumps. Julio Teheran looks like he
could be the best of the bunch. He had a record of 11-8 last year, with a 4.04
ERA. He also struck out 171 batters in just over 200 innings. He will be joined
by Matt Wisler, who was 8-8, had a 4.71 ERA and struck out 72 batters in 109
innings. At only 23 years old, Wisler could be a dependable pitcher for the
Braves for a while. If he could get some run support, he could be a 15-game
winner in 2015. Bud Norris signed as a free agent after spending 2015 between
San Diego and Baltimore. But he is probably only a fifth starter as he brings a
3-11 record and a 6.72 ERA to the team.
In the bullpen, 24-year old
Arodys Vizcaino will be the closer after saving nine games last year. He also
had a 3-1 record with an impressive 1.60 ERA and in 33 2/3 innings pitched, he
struck out 37 batters. How he deals with the pressure of being the everyday
closer will determine how successful he can be in that role. If he faulters,
the Braves have Jim Johnson, who also saved nine games in 2015. He had a 2-3
record with a 2.25 ERA and struck out 33 batters in 48 innings.
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| Braves' first baseman Freddie Freeman |
Prediction: A new ball park in 2017 is
about all the Braves’ fans have to look forward to this season. It could make
for some long, hot, depressing summer nights in Atlanta. The two Cuban prospects look good on paper but it will be interesting to see if they can
sustain their good starts over the course of a full Major League season. In any
case, last place seems to be the destination of the club.
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