2013 Atlanta Braves Team Preview - Part 3 - shadow2201's Dynasty

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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