Isn’t the club expected to lose? Is there anything for Braves fans to be excited about before 2017?
Absolutely. Listen, I’m not going to make any lofty postseason predictions this year. I actually did that last year, and boy was I way off. To my defense, prior to the KJ/Uribe trade, the Bravos were not out of the mix.
Even though the Braves aren’t expected to make the playoffs this year, there are some things to be excited about. Seriously. Let’s take a look:
Mallex Smith
I know. I know. I could be COMPLETELY wrong here, but I think Mallex gets called up at some point this year. This is certainly a lofty prediction. To me, he’s the most exciting position player the Braves have right now, and if it wasn’t for a log jam in the outfield and contracts, Mallex Smith would be the Opening Day center fielder.
The last time the Braves had a consistently awesome and lethal leadoff hitter was Rafael Furcal. (Honorable mention, September of 2008 when Matt Diaz hit over .400 when Bobby put him in the leadoff spot for a month.) We’ve had speedy “okay” guys here and there since, like Michael Bourn, and Jason Heyward (back when he didn’t know how to play baseball before the Cardinals taught him), Jace Peterson, B.J. Upton (gross), Jose Constanza, I could go on. You get the drift. The Braves have needed a REAL leadoff hitter since Furcal.
Sure, Inciarte could be the answer. But, Mallex Smith is an 80 on the 20-80 scouting speed range. Ozzie Albies is a 65… and Albies is REAL FAST. Get excited about Mallex Smith.
The question with Mallex is – When and how do the Braves bring him up? The book says he’ll get brought up in September as a bench guy. But, I think… and again… I could be wrong here… The Braves will trade Nick Markakis, shifting Ender Inciarte to right field, allowing Smith to sit at the throne of center field. Most people keep Inciarte in the center field box, but the guy has a cannon.
If Mallex Smith didn’t exist in the Braves’ farm system, then sure, Ender Inciarte stays in center field for probably a long time. But, you can’t have an outfield in Atlanta (or Marietta) without Mallex Smith in center field.
Next: Yes, you Gant