2017 Goals And Expectations For The Atlanta Braves Starting Players

Freddie Freeman

• As the cornerstone and leader of the Braves’ franchise, Freddie Freeman needs to continue to show why he is that. Many are saying that Swanson will eventually become the face of the Braves but until then, Freeman is and I can see that for many years to come.
• Last year, in the opinion of many, Freeman was robbed of the National League Silver Slugger Award for first basemen. Braves Option Guy made a tweet compiling of the things Freeman did better than the player that won, Anthony Rizzo.

Freeman deserved that award last season but it’s now a new season, so let’s hope Freeman can do the same if not better to be in contention again for the award and maybe other ones.

To do so…

• Freeman needs to maintain a batting average of .300 or higher and I believe it can go higher.  30+ home runs would also be nice again.
• Freeman could improve on cutting down his strikeout rate too. Last year he had a career high 171 strikeouts.

Matt Kemp

• Matt Kemp and the Braves came to an agreement that during the off-season he needed to work on losing weight and he arrived to spring training in much better shape. Now slimmed down, Kemp needs to continue to stay fit and maintain it. We saw proof that he is committed to working hard this year.

• Kemp also promised last year that the version Braves fan will see when he comes to Atlanta is “old Matt Kemp.” We saw teases in the home runs he was hitting and the joy he had playing baseball for his childhood team. For 2017, Kemp should shoot for “2011 Matt Kemp.” That version was a monster and might be too much to ask for but if Kemp can improve on what he did for the Braves last season, the team could do wonders for 2017.

Nick Markakis

• This off-season many fans thought Markakis would be traded but as time passed and spring training is here, it seems that he will be handling right field for Opening Day.
• In 2016,  Nick Markakis showed that his surgery was a thing in the past and that he was regaining his strength. Though his batting average and on-base percentage dropped, Markakis was able to pop 13 home runs, an improvement from just 3 in 2015. This year is no different as he needs to continue to add more power. I’m hoping that he is able to reach at least a .280 batting average but it never hurts to do better.

Brandon Phillips

• Coming into spring training as the new guy, Brandon Phillips said he is excited to play for his hometown team (a trend in this lineup), growing up in Stone Mountain. Phillips stated in one of his first interviews as a Braves that as a teen he thought how nice it would be to one day put on the jersey and now he gets to do so. So like many new players, Phillips needs to get settled and comfortable with his new team and new stadium.
• He also said in that same interview that there will be a lot of web-gems between him and Swanson. How exciting!
• Phillips hit .291 in 2016 and .294 in 2015, hopefully he maintains that and provide a strong veteran bat.