2020 Atlanta Braves Preview – MLB Preview & Prediction
The Atlanta Braves have a great roster that could build up to a playoff run. However, the Braves are one team that could really have to rely on their pitching and potential hitting from a couple of proven veterans on the year. Now, one aspect that could cause some issues for the Braves is not much in the way of proven depth and that will definitely make it harder for the Braves to be seen as a true favorite for the World Series, but in their division the Braves roster may work out really well.
Atlanta Braves Starters
The Braves have lived up to their normal reputation of getting a great starting rotation in place. The best part is quite a few of the Braves starters are home grown and have the loyalty to the Braves organization. The ace for the Braves is slated to be Mike Soroka, but he is followed up by Max Fried, Cole Hamels, Mike Foltynewicz, and then Sean Newcomb. Soroka is still young in his career and last year started in 29 games throwing a total of 174.2 innings. Soroka did strike out 142 batters while posting a 13-4 record and a 2.68 ERA.
Atlanta Braves Relievers
The relievers for the Braves will be one point of contention for the team as the Braves do have some good relievers, but they may not have the same level of depth and quality as the Braves have had in the past. The relievers that are slated to be on the roster for the Braves includes Shane Greene, Luke Jackson, Chris Martin, Darren O’Day, Will Smith, and Grant Dayton. The closer that is in the bullpen for the Braves is Mark Melancon. Melancon is a 35 year old veteran pitcher and last year split his time between the Braves and the Giants. Melancon ended up throwing in a combined 66 games for 67.1 innings striking out 68 batters while posting 5-2 record with 12 saves, but no blown saves and an ERA of 3.61.
Atlanta Braves Catchers
When it comes to catching the Braves have a couple of catchers that are on the roster and both of them have good skill levels as well. The Braves have Travis d’Arnaud as the starter, but the backup for the Braves is projected to be Tyler Flowers. Last year d’Arnaud played in a combined 103 games between the Dodgers, Mets, and Rays. He ended up hitting at a clip of .251 with 16 homers and 69 runners brought home. When it comes to running on d’Arnaud it was somewhat safe, but risky as well as he threw out 28.6% of the runners.
Atlanta Braves Corners
The corners for the Braves are one of the points that could be a strength for the team. The Braves have a great first baseman that is playing on the year in Freddie Freeman and Johan Camargo is playing at third for the Braves. The backup for the Braves at both positions is projected to be Austin Riley. Freeman is one of the Braves leaders for the past 10 years. Last season Freeman played in 158 games and hit at a clip of .295 last year and cranked 38 homers with 121 runners brought home. On the other side of the diamond Camargo played in 98 games and hit at a clip of .233 while hitting only 7 homers and bringing home 32 runners.
Atlanta Braves Middle Infield
The middle of the Braves lineup on the defensive side of the field looks like it is very solid and at maybe second with Ozzie Albies in the lineup be a strength. The short stop position for the Braves should be fairly solid with Dansby Swanson projected to start. The backup for both positions is Adeiny Hechavarria. Last year Albies played in a total of 160 games. Albies did hit at a clip of .295 on the year and hit a total of 24 homers with 86 runners brought home. Swanson for his part played in 127 games last year for the Braves and hit at a not so decent clip of .251 with 17 homers and 65 runners brought home.
Atlanta Braves Outfield
Marcell Ozuna is projected to start in left this year for the Braves, Ender Inciarte is supposed to be in center and Ronald Acuna Jr. is projected to be in right field for the Braves. When it comes to the backups the Braves have Nick Markakis backing up in the corners and Acuna is backing up in center field. The stats for Ozuna for last season is sitting at 131 games played last year for the Cardinals. Ozuna ended up hitting at a clip of .241 with 29 homers and 89 runners brought home. The center fielder for the Braves have Inciarte who last year played in only 65 games and hit at a clip of .246 with only 5 homers and 24 RBIs. Acuna in the right field position played in 156 games for the Braves and hit at a clip of .280 with 41 homers and 101 RBIs.
Atlanta Braves Prediction
The Braves are one team that should be able to come into the season and look decent. However, one issue that the Braves have is the team is still one that can be rocky at times. What else could be an issue is the fact that the Braves are severely lacking in depth and if the Braves have any injuries the team could fail. Look for the Braves to play good on the year and finish towards the top of their division.
