Atlanta Braves 2015 Season Preview/Projection
Mike Foltynewicz (48) walks in the dugout before a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Biggest Off-Season Acquisition
Where do I start? The entire minor league system has been turned on its ear with ton of high-upside pitchers and positional prospects. But even with that influx of talent, the additional at/near the major league level have not generated a lot of excitement… and that’s understandable, given the players traded away.
Most of these new prospects will still need 1-3 years to reach the majors, but the one that could have the biggest impact quickest is Michael Foltynewicz.
Right now, Foltynewicz is the odds-on favorite to win the 5th starter role. With a plus-plus fastball (mid-upper 90’s) and two other above-average pitches (changeup and curve), his biggest need is better control. But from the back end of the rotation, he’ll have a chance to work on that. Some have placed him very high on their new prospects list (he’s 4th on ours). Once he makes the rotation, he should stick and move up into a solid group that Atlanta has put together.
As for the rest of the acquisitions that could dent the major league roster this Spring:
- Nick Markakis – once fully recovered from neck surgery, he will roam right field for the next four seasons.
- Jace Peterson – already discussed.
- Alberto Callaspo – his role isn’t entirely clear, but I am anticipating some sort of platoon with Chris Johnson, which means that he gets to play more often at third base. If he somehow falters, then Kelly Johnson could step in.
- Jonny Gomes – half of a LF platoon with… somebody
- Zoilo Almonte, Eric Young, Jr., Eury Perez – a handful of fourth outfielders. The first two probably get to fight is out for the other half of that platoon. Interesting contrast here: Young has no power, but steals bases like crazy; Almonte has power, but limited speed. Neither gets on base particularly well. Young is the better defender – easily. Meanwhile, Perez could end up in some sort of platoon with BJ Upton in CF
- A.J. Pierzynski – pretty close to the worst defensive catcher in baseball… but he’s a hitter first. Nonetheless, he’ll probably spell Christian Bethancourt a couple of days each week and be a big hitter off the bench. If somebody gets hurt, John Buck is next in line.
- Eric Stults, Wandy Rodriguez, Chien-Ming Wang – Will push for that 5th rotation spot vs. Folty.
- Jason Grilli, Jim Johnson, Josh Outman, Matt Capps, Jose Veras, Michael Kohn, Aaron Kurcz, and possibly even the other David Carpenter. There’s a lot of solid arms in there – should provide an extremely deep bullpen to complement the starting pitching.
As you can see… it’s gonna be a crowded clubhouse at Disney World for a while.
One more thought, though: if everyone actually hits to their capabilities, the answer to this question becomes ‘new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer‘.