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Atlanta Braves: 2017 rankings, and team goals for 2018

By Dalton Skaggs

TORONTO, ON - MAY 15: Dansby Swanson
TORONTO, ON - MAY 15: Dansby Swanson /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 24: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves takes the field prior to the first inning of an MLB game against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 24, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 24: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves takes the field prior to the first inning of an MLB game against the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park on September 24, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Defense

Atlanta’s defense was better than you would expect for such a young team in 2017, and their defense will do nothing but improve in 2018.

  • In 2017, Atlanta ranked 19th out of 30 teams in defensive errors committed with 97.
  • In 2017, Atlanta ranked 12th out of 30 teams in defensive assists with 1,578.
  • In 2017, Atlanta ranked 13th out of 30 teams in defensive putouts with 4,324.

While these defensive stats are not eye popping, here are a few facts about them:

  • Atlanta had fewer defensive errors than 3 teams that were in the 2017 Postseason: Houston Astros (20th with 99 E’s), Boston Red Sox (24th with 107 E’s), and the Arizona Diamondbacks (26th with 108 E’s).
  • The Braves beat out half of the teams in the Postseason in defensive assists: Astros (16th with 1526), Twins (20th with 1477), Yankees (21st with 1468), Indians (24th with 1447), Red Sox (28th with 1390) and the Dodgers (30th with 1367).

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Another thing to keep in mind is that one player accounted for 21% of the errors committed by the Braves in 2017: Dansby Swanson. In 147 games, Swanson committed 20 out of the 97 defensive errors for Atlanta. The only other shortstop that committed more errors than Swanson in 2017 was Chicago White Sox Tim Anderson, who committed 28 fielding errors.

The main goal for the Braves on defense in 2018 is mostly directed towards Swanson and his ability to reduce the amount of errors he makes with his glove and his arm. With Matt Kemp and Matt Adams no longer on the team, the defensive quality of the Braves outfield will be much better this year… no matter who is run out to left field.

In Summary…

The Braves need their young pitching staff to develop and improve this year. How far of a leap the young pitchers and prospects make will determine the future path of the Atlanta Braves. Building a lethal rotation is essential for postseason contention; e.g. the 1990’s. The Braves offense and pitching staff are slowly but surely closing in on their full potential.

Instead of having the big guys of Kemp or M. Adams patrolling left field, the Braves could eventually move Nick Markakis to left field, who only committed 1 error in 156 games in 2017.  Until Acuna’s promotion to the big leagues, Lane Adams and Preston Tucker will likely be keeping left field warm.

Swanson is on schedule to have a turnaround year with his glove going into 2018, and things are overall looking very good defensively for the Atlanta Braves.

Next: Atlanta Braves catcher Tyler Flowers amongst best in the league

For Braves fans, there is not much to worry about going into the 2018 season. If anything, you should feel much more excitement than worry or concern. The place that Atlanta is in right now is a very good one, and it will only get better from here.

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