Atlanta Braves April Review; One Man’s View

Apr 26, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder

(22) waits on deck during game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Braves, 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Offense

Pitching would be Atlanta’s undoing. The most telling game? Game two in Toronto. Jumping out to 3-0 lead, Atlanta would keep the Jays off the board for 6 innings. Then the bullpen would falter. I think this game truly showed what I think reality would be.

So the pitching was going through a rough patch. The pipe dream that was week one, was over. Reality was starting to set in, and it stunk.

But wow, that offense. Highlighted by veterans signed in free agency. A.J. Pierzynski, Jonny Gomes, and Nick Markakis shot life in an otherwise leaderless and characterless clubhouse. Atlanta needed a culture change, and these guys were just the ones to turn the mindset around.

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski was brought into the fold as the back up to starter Christian Bethancourt. Well, that’s what we had thought anyway. With Pierzynski’s rejuvenation in the batter’s box, it has left very few opportunities for Bethancourt to play. Pierzynski has probably been the most pleasant surprise of the off-season signings.

A lot of fans criticized this signing by new GM John Hart, but A.J. is a consummate professional and still, obviously, a really good hitter (.422/.442/.689/.1.131). He knows the strike zone extremely well. Not to mention he can handle a major league pitching staff. I’ve always liked A.J. and I think he gets a bad wrap sometimes, but this team needed leadership and characters and he fits the bill.

Along with Pierzynski, there is Nick Markakis. Let’s face it, after he signed, then announced he would undergo surgery for a neck fusion, a lot almost seemed to write him off as a regular contributor. Not so fast my friends.

I live about a 20 minute drive from Baltimore, I’m a Braves fan, yes, but I’m also a baseball fan. I saw Markakis plenty of times live at Camden Yards and on television. I knew Atlanta was getting a professional baseball player. Surprisingly old-school, I loved everything about this signing when it was announced.

Nick Markakis continues to hit (.338), get on base (.443 w/14 BBs), and score runs (leads team with 16). It’s no wonder Fredi Gonzalez finally saw fit to move him into the lead off spot, which by the way, is where he hit all of last year with the Orioles.

These two guys have sparked an offense that has the potential to be dangerous. I truly think this could be a very feared lineup. If only the pitching can get on the same page and start getting hitters out. Even role players like Alberto Callaspo, Chris Johnson, Eric Young Jr., and Kelly Johnson. All have helped this offense regain its confidence. The hope is that they can carry this confidence into the next month.