2013 Atlanta Braves Team Preview - Part 4 - shadow2201's Dynasty

shadow2201's Dynasty Blog

2013 Atlanta Braves Team Preview - Part 4

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

(2)

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.