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2017 Goals And Expectations For The Atlanta Braves Starting Players

By John Le

Feb 21, 2017; Disney, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (left) and shortstop Dansby Swanson (center) and right fielder Matt Kemp (right) wait for their turn to bat during media day for the Atlanta Braves during MLB spring training at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2017; Disney, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (left) and shortstop Dansby Swanson (center) and right fielder Matt Kemp (right) wait for their turn to bat during media day for the Atlanta Braves during MLB spring training at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (2) celebrates with center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) after a run against the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (2) celebrates with center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) after a run against the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Ender Inciarte

  • Inciarte made his Braves debut during Opening Day last year but was placed on the disabled list a week later with a hamstring injury. Two months later, he was day-to-day with a groin injury. This cost him a lot of playing time as he produced only a .227 batting average in the first half of the season. Inciarte did make it up with a good second half, ending the season with a .291 BA but it could’ve been higher had he not been sidelined. So a major goal for him in 2017 is to stay healthy.

More from Tomahawk Take

  • Assuming Inciarte stays healthy, his offensive production should continue to rise. As stated, he produced a .291 last season; this season I hope we can see that number to improve.
  • Continue to rob opponents. Last season, we were spoiled with Inciarte’s defensive gems. From spectacular double plays to a deke double play to stealing home runs. We saw it all. Let’s just say we want more of that.

Dansby Swanson

  • Last season, fans were treated with the debut of Dansbae and he did not disappoint. Immediately, Swanson made an impact going 2-4 in his first major league game. Don’t forget his first major league homer, either: an inside-the-parker.
  • Now his second season in the majors, Swanson needs to prove that he belongs in the big leagues. Some critics said it might have been too early since he skipped AAA, therefore he needs to prove them wrong and that he’s here to stay.
  • Swanson ended the season with 129 at-bats, 2 short of graduating from rookie status (130 is the cap). He personally stated he didn’t care but on paper and to many fans, this meant that he can still win the Rookie of the Year award. Based on what he did in the short time he spent on the main roster, if he continues to improve he will be in ROY contention.
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