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Monday, April 1, 2013

2013 Atlanta Braves Opening Day Depth Chart

Posted on April 1, 2013 at 05:46 AM.

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Atlanta Braves Depth Chart - 2013

Catcher
G. Laird
E. Gattis

First Base
F. Freeman
C. Johnson

Second Base
D. Uggla
R. Pena

Third Base
J. Fransisco
C. Johnson
R. Pena

Shortstop
A. Simmons
R. Pena

Left Field
J. Upton
R. Johnson
J. Schafer

Center Field
BJ Upton
R. Johnson
J. Schafer

Right Field
J. Heyward
R. Johnson
J. Schafer

Starting Pitcher
T. Hudson
P. Maholm
K. Medlen
M. Minor
J. Teheran

Relief Pitcher
A. Varvaro
C. Martinez
C. Gearrin
L. Avilan
J. Walden
E. O\'Flaherty

Closer
C. Kimbrel

Disabled List
P. Janish 15-Day DL
B. McCann 15-Day DL
J. Venters 15-Day DL

2013 Atlanta Braves Opening Day

Posted on April 1, 2013 at 12:36 AM.

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Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves
Apr 1, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Philadelphia (0-0)
Atlanta (0-0)

Opening day is upon us and the Braves get to start off the season at home in Atlanta against the Philadelphia Phillies! This will be the beginning of the "Post Chipper Jones" Era in Atlanta and it's definitely going to be a weird season.

Expectations are at an all time high in Atlanta this year as they have made a few changes to the roster and improved in almost every aspect. At third base Juan Fransisco and Chris Johnson will now platoon, at least for now, in the wake of finding a suitable replacement. BJ and Justin Upton join forces as they, along with Jason Heyward, make up one of the best defensive outfields in the league. Julio Teheran starts off the season as the teams 5th starter, looking to reclaim the praise he has gotten all throughout his career, after stumbling in the minors last year. This team is poised to make a run at Washington to reclaim the top spot in the East.

Tim Hudson will start on opening day for the Braves as he tries to build on a pretty solid year in 2012. He's a ground ball pitcher that won't overpower you with his stuff, but he knows how to hit the corners and get you out anyway. Gerald Laird will start at the catcher position opening day, as him and Evan Gattis, a surprise addition to the opening day roster as he raked in ST, will split time until Brian McCann returns from the DL after his shoulder injury.

One of their biggest rivals, the Phillies look to rebound after a disappointing season last year where they finished 3rd and missed the playoffs. With Cole Hamels on the hill for opening day, he looks to fend off this new and improved Braves line up, and start their season off right! The Phillies also added some pieces, 3B Michael Young and CF Ben Revere will join the case of Phillies to help them out in their quest to get back in the playoffs.

This is going to be a very interesting season in the East as well as the rest of the Major Leagues. Let's sit back, relax, and enjoy the show[no pun intended]!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

2013 NL East Predictions

Posted on March 17, 2013 at 08:24 PM.

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I know predictions mean very little in the grand scheme of things, but making predictions based on the teams themselves is always fun. So lets dive in!

1. Washington Nationals
2012 Record: 98-64, 1st place
2013 Prediction: 100-62

Yep, I'm taking the Nationals to be first again, with a slight improvement in their record. They have Bryce Harper who is going to be a little more seasoned, Werth should be healthy, and their pitching got slightly better with Haren, who I think is a slight upgrade over Edwin Jackson.

2. Atlanta Braves
2012 Record: 94-68, 2nd Place
2013 Prediction: 95-67

The Braves should come in a close second, with their young pitching staff and upgraded offense I think it will balance out pretty much like last season. If the young pitching can get things done in Beachy's absence, then look for the Braves to potentially overtake Washington and once again be back on top in the NL East.

3. Philadelphia Phillies
2012 Record: 81-81, 3rd Place
2013 Projection: 77-85

With a re-vamped team the Phill's look to build on a mediocre season last year, but I'm not sold quite yet. They are definitely a solid team but with aging pieces in Michael Young, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley, along with them come major injury risk. They will also need their pitching to be better this year, as we know Hamels and Hallady should be solid but Cliff Lee will need to bounce back.

4. New York Mets
2012 Record: 74-88, 4th Place
2013 Projection: 74-88

The Mets are in a position to improve in their pitching but in the hitting arena they don't have much. Ike Davis will really need to pull himself together and bat higher than .220, and David Wright will have to keep playing at a high level to even have a chance at scoring runs this year. This team is really going to have to pull together, as they have pretty good pitching, but very poor hitting overall.

5. Miami Marlins
2012 Record: 69-93, 5th Place
2013 Projection: 60-102

This team, last year, looked like it was finally committed to winning long term, and then they started struggling and once that hit, they started shedding all those big names they signed in the offseason. They are full of youth so they are going to have to do some major growing this year to avoid a 100 loss season, but with the youth, and the lack of upside to a lot of their offense and pitching, I don't see it happening!

Saturday, March 16, 2013

2013 Atlanta Braves Team Preview - Part 4

Posted on March 16, 2013 at 10:06 PM.

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Bench

Matt Pagnozzi - C
2012 Stats: DNP
2013 Projection: .220, 10 R, 1 HR, 8 RBI

Pagnozzi isn't going to wow you, and once McCann returns to the line up, probably won't remain with the big league club, but he will give the Braves a catcher to use off the bench to back up Laird.

Chris Johnson - 1B/3B
2012 Stats: .281, 48 R, 15 HR, 76 RBI, 5 SB
2013 Projection: .266, 39 R, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 3 SB

Johnson will give you a little power, but also has a tendency to swing and miss a lot. He will be in a time share with Francisco to begin the season, and could end up being simply a bench guy if he can't cut down on his K rate. The biggest thing he brings to the team is the ability to also play 1B so he will be able to spell Freeman as well.

Ramiro Pena - Util INF
2012 Stats: .250 in 4 at bats
2013 Projection: .233, 36 R, 2 HR, 29 RBI, 5 SB

The biggest thing he brings to the table for the Braves in 2013 is the ability to play multiple positions in the INF. He spent his last few years in New York pinstripes backing up Jeter and ARod. He's probably not going to get a lot of run this year but could put up some decent numbers given the change of scenery.

Reed Johnson - Util OF
2012 Stats: .290, 30 R, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 2 SB
2013 Projection: .279, 28 R, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 3 SB

Reed has bounced around quite a bit in his career but he's always been a solid option off the bench in a reserve role. He won't get much run this year with the great OF the Braves are sporting this season but there are worse options a team could have than Reed in the occasion one of the OF need an off day.

Jordan Schafer - Util OF
2012 Stats: .211, 40 R, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 27 SB
2013 Projection: .222, 29 R, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 16 SB

Once thought to be a decent prospect in the Braves system in 2008, his career has been a little off and on due to a positive HGH test, and poor showing when he was in the majors. He looks to be a solid speed option off the bench for the Braves in his second stint with the team in 2013.

Top 5 Prospects

1. Julio Teheran - RHP

Still only 22 years old, Teheran had a rough year in 2012 after posting quite impressive numbers in 2011. A lot of people are down on him overall but he will be given a chance to solidify his spot in the rotation until Beachy returns.

2. Christian Bethancourt - C

Bethancourt is more known for his play behind the plate, rather than his bat, which is the exact opposite of most C prospects. They will need him to improve in all area's with the impending FA of current C Brian McCann, but he has a year to get ready.

3. Lucas Sims - RHP

A Georgia native, Sims was the 1st round pick in the 2012 draft for the Braves and is ready to show the Braves what they are going to get with his services.

4. J.R. Graham - RHP

He was outstanding in his first full season last year as he led the teams minor league system in ERA, WHIP, and was 2nd in BAA and Wins. He isn't a strike out guy, but he get's a lot of ground ball outs.

5. Sean Gilmartin - LHP

A solid lefty, who isn't going to wow you, he was taken as someone who could fly through the system, thought to be close to MLB ready as can be, and he hasn't disappointed. He reached AAA in his first full season and could challenge Teheran for the 5th spot in the rotation if Teheran struggles to open the season.

2013 Atlanta Braves Team Preview - Part 3

Posted on March 16, 2013 at 02:20 PM.

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Batting Order

1. Andrelton Simmons - SS
2012 Stats: .289, 17 R, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 1 SB
2013 Projection: .278, 73 R, 6 HR, 53 RBI, 20 SB

The young shortstop came up last year late, and impressed coaches with his hitting ability. He wasn't known as much of a power hitter, but had 3 home runs in 166 AB's in the bigs. He will need to provide good hitting and speed from the leadoff spot this season.

2. Jason Heyward - RF
2012 Stats: .269, 93 R, 27 HR, 82 RBI, 21 SB
2013 Projection: .261, 93 R, 30 HR, 96 RBI, 22 SB

Heyward will be protected a little bit more this season, hitting 2nd, in front of newly acquired Justin Upton. That should allow him to be more comfortable at the plate and give him a lot of run scoring opportunities.

3. Justin Upton - LF
2012 Stats: .280, 107 R, 17 HR, 67 RBI, 18 SB
2013 Projection: .281, 100 R, 28 HR, 84 RBI, 20 SB

Newly acquired in the offseason, Upton looks to provide power, speed, and just overall better hitting to this, at times, stale offense. With Heyward hitting in front of him, it should give him a lot more RBI opportunities than he had in Arizona.

4. Freddie Freeman - 1B
2012 Stats: .259, 91 R, 23 HR, 94 RBI, 2 SB
2013 Projection: .280, 85 R, 27 HR, 96 RBI, 5 SB

The young 1B, had a bit of a disappointing season last year, but that was mostly caused by issues with his eyes. This season he seems healthy and ready to bring back the pop he had in his rookie year.

5. Dan Uggla - 2B
2012 Stats: .220, 86 R, 19 HR, 78 RBI, 4 SB
2013 Projection: .250, 91 R, 27 HR, 86 RBI, 3 SB

Brought in to provide pop in the Braves line up, Uggla has really been nothing more than a huge disappointment since he's been in Atlanta. Coming in to this season he looks one more time to resurrect his once potent bat and help the Braves hitting get back on track.

6. Juan Francisco - 3B
2012 Stats: .234, 17 R, 9 HR, 32 RBI, 1 SB
2013 Projection: .254, 34 R, 13 HR, 46 RBI, 1 SB

Trying to fill the big shoes left by Chipper Jones departure, Juan Francisco comes in to a time-share situation, at least for now, with Chris Johnson, until one of them stands out over the other, or it could go on all season.

7. Gerald Laird - C
2012 Stats: .282, 24 R, 2 HR, 11 RBI
2013 Projection: .250, 20 R, 2 HR, 14 RBI

Brought in to fill in for Brian McCann while he is recovering from injury, Laird will have to provide the Braves with a little offense and defense from the catcher position to hold off Matt Pagnozzi, although McCann shouldn't miss too much time so the time to make a difference will be now for either guy.

8. BJ Upton - CF
2012 Stats: .246, 79 R, 28 HR, 78 RBI, 31 SB
2013 Projection: .245, 84 R, 23 HR, 77 RBI, 33 SB

Beginning the season at the bottom of the order, mostly due to poor OBP, he could unseat Simmons at the top if Simmons struggles early to be effective. A lot of pop, and speed, with little batting average issues, he should be effective in this offense no matter where he bats.

Up Next: Bench Players

2013 Atlanta Braves Team Preview - Part 2

Posted on March 16, 2013 at 01:08 AM.

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Bullpen

Cristhian Martinez
2012 Stats: 73.2 IP, 5-4, 3.91 ERA, 1 Save, 1 Hold, 65 K
2013 Projection: 70 IP, 3-3, 3.86 ERA, 3 Hold, 57 K

Luis Avilan
2012 Stats: 36 IP, 1-0, 2.00 ERA, 5 Hold, 33 K
2013 Projection: 48 IP, 1-4, 4.80 ERA, 5 Hold, 40 K

Cory Gearrin
2012 Stats: 20 IP, 0-1, 1.80 ERA, 4 Hold, 20 K
2013 Projection: 49 IP, 2-3, 2.75 ERA, 8 Hold, 55 K

Eric O'Flaherty
2012 Stats: 57.1 IP, 3-0, 1.73 ERA, 28 Hold, 46 K
2013 Projection: 64 IP, 3-2, 2.11 ERA, 27 Hold, 50 K

Jordan Walden
2012 Stats: 39 IP, 3-2, 3.46 ERA, 1 Save, 8 Hold, 48 K
2013 Projection: 65 IP, 5-4, 3.18 ERA, 2 Save, 22 Hold, 71 K

Jonny Venters
2012 Stats: 58.2 IP, 5-4, 3.22 ERA, 20 Hold, 69 K
2013 Projection: 70 IP, 5-3, 2.70 ERA, 30 Hold, 76 K

Craig Kimbrel
2012 Stats: 62.2 IP, 3-1, 1.01 ERA, 42 Save, 116 K
2013 Projection: 68 IP, 4-2, 1.90 ERA, 42 Save, 120 K

Up Next: Opening Day Batting Order

Friday, March 15, 2013

2013 Atlanta Braves Team Preview - Part 1

Posted on March 15, 2013 at 07:21 AM.

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Starting Rotation

Kris Medlen
2012 Stats: 10-1, 1.57 ERA, 120 K, 23 BB
2013 Projection: 12-5, 3.11 ERA, 160 K, 40 BB

Medlen is an up and comer, that will lead the Braves rotation in 2013. He made a huge splash last year and is looking to build upon his late season success. They are looking for a true front of the rotation guy and if he can continue his success, they might have found their man.

Tim Hudson
2012 Stats: 16-7, 3.62 ERA, 102 K, 48 BB
2013 Projection: 17-9, 3.59 ERA, 120 K, 60 BB

Hudson is the veteran of this group at the age of 37 but he's also one of the more consistent performers. He isn't going to strike you out, but he's going to make you put the ball in play. Looks to build on another solid season and help the young guys in this rotation.

Mike Minor
2012 Stats: 11-10, 4.12 ERA, 145 K, 56 BB
2013 Projection: 13-9, 3.93 ERA, 200 K, 65 BB

The first of the lefty's in this rotation, he is going to need to bounce back and have a good season for the Braves, while Brandon Beachy is out. They really need this to be the year he steps up and delivers on the great potential the organization knows he has.

Paul Maholm
2012 Stats: 13-11, 3.67 ERA, 140 K, 53 BB
2013 Projection: 13-12, 3.87 ERA, 133 K, 50 BB

The 'other' lefty in this group of pitchers, Maholm is a very underrated pitcher on the whole. He has pretty good stuff, but he's not going to 'wow' you. He was a mid season acquisition for the Braves in 2012 and pitched moderately well for them. They are going to need his experience along with Hudson to lead this group of young starters.

Julio Teheran
2012 Stats: 0-0, 5.68 ERA, 5 K, 1 BB
2013 Projection: 7-8, 4.62 ERA, 100 K, 40 BB

The true wildcard in this group, Teheran is still one of the top pitching prospects in the game, despite his struggles last season. He has good stuff, and should be a great asset to the Braves in 2013 while Beachy is out after TJ. With Beachy expected back in June, they will need him to improve after last season's 'meltdown' in the minors if he has any chance of sticking around.

Brandon Beachy*(DL60)
2012 Stats: 5-5, 2.00 ERA, 68 K, 28 BB
2013 Projection: 5-3, 3.40 ERA, 80 K, 30 BB

He is going to start the season on the DL, coming back from Tommy John surgery, in hopes of returning in June to the rotation. Beachy was having a great season last year before his injury derailed his season. The Braves will need him back as their rotation is young, for the most part, and in need of experience. The Braves will take it slow with Beachy this year as to not further injure his elbow.

Coming up next: Bullpen