Atlanta Braves Spring Training

Spring training is only a month or so away and it’s time for a 2012 Atlanta Braves preview. I have been going to spring training and staying for a week the last few years and can’t wait to get back down there this year. Most of us in the south live and die with our Braves.

I remember as young boy some 40 years ago listening to the Braves at night on the radio while lying bed. Hank Aaron, Rico Carty, Phil Niekro, Joe Torre and Sonny Jackson are just a few of the names I remember.

So I am starting the 2012 Atlanta Braves baseball season with a preview by Justin Gambrell of the Knoxville Baseball Examiner.

The Atlanta Braves finished the 2011 slate on a low note, missing the playoffs on the last day of the regular season. Several injuries to key players attributed to the epic collapse, but manager Fredi Gonzalez will lead his squad into the 2012 season with hopes that they’ll be able to compete in a suddenly loaded National League East. The club is hopeful that the offseason gave the injuries a chance to heal and that the team will be at full strength this year.

Best of the best: The Braves’ bullpen. Eric O’Flaherty, set up man Jonny Venters, and closer Craig Kimbrel kept the Braves in every close game last year, contributing to be the best bullpen in the major leagues. If the trio can keep playing like they did in 2011, the Braves will have a chance to win any game that comes down to the wire. Fredi Gonzalez goes to his relievers early and often, so barring an injury, they’ll have the chance to get the same amount of innings as they did last year.

The new face: Tyler Pastornicky. Pastornicky will likely be the opening day shortstop for the Braves, bringing speed and great defense to a lineup that is sorely lacking on both. His bat projects for a solid average but he won’t be hitting many home runs. Even though Pastornicky is only a rookie, Braves fans should be pleasantly surprised by the upgrade he provides at such a crucial position. That, or the fact that he’s not Alex Gonzalez.

The fatal flaw: No offense. The Braves were absolutely putrid offensively last year and the team did nothing to bring in another impact bat. Unless Jason Heyward can bounce back to form, it looks like Atlanta will be in more agonizingly close games next season. Chipper Jones is getting older and can’t seem to stay on the field, while the rest of the lineup has a tendency to go into painful slumps when they need production the most. Freddie Freeman led the Braves with a .282 batting average last season, only after he turned it on after an abysmal start. If Atlanta wants to win this season, they’ll need their bats to heat up sooner.

Down on the farm: Pitchers Julio Teheran, Arodys Vizcaino, and Randall Delgado. The Braves are always loaded with top level pitching prospects, and this year is no different. Teheran, Vizcaino, and Delgado both made appearances for the Braves last season, with Delgado carrying the heaviest load of the three and that trend should continue this year. The Braves have at least one spot open in their rotation due to the release of Derek Lowe, the injury concerns of Tommy Hanson, and the possible trade of Jair Jurrjens. It’s fair to say that we could see Teheran, Vizcaino, and Delgado in the majors sooner rather than later.

Final Verdict: The Braves should have plenty of pitching to stay in games, but you’ll lose more often than not when you can’t get a run across the plate, especially in crucial situations. Thanks to the dominance of the Phillies and the upgrades made by the Marlins and Nationals, the Braves chances of winning the division seem bleak. In order to make a run they’ll have to take major leaps in all offensive categories or acquire a player who can give them a boost.

Personally I think if Jason Heyward breaks out of his slump from last year and Chipper continues hitting the way he did last year the Braves will score runs. Brian McCann, Chipper and Jason must stay healthy for the Braves to be in contention in the ultra tough eastern division this year.

Get ready for the upcoming season. Get your team gear here.