Atlanta Braves find Josh Donaldson primed for a big year

The Bringer of Rain arrived in Florida feeling like he has something to prove.  That could bring real offensive firepower to the Braves.

Two years of injuries for former MVP Josh Donaldson might prove beneficial to the Atlanta Braves as they were able to sign the slugging third basemen to a 1-year $23 million dollar deal this offseason.

Now fully healthy, Donaldson is ready to prove he is worthy of a long-term deal next winter. That bodes well for the Braves.

From 2013-2017, Josh Donaldson averaged 33 home runs and 103 runs batted in, with an OPS+ of 144. He did all of this while playing 155 games or more each of the four seasons.

While the last three seasons have been marred by injury, Donaldson says he is fully healthy and he told MLB’s Mark Bowman as much in a recent story.

"“I feel like a newborn baby. I didn’t have to go through that grind last year. I went through the grind mentally, because physically I wasn’t able to perform at all really. This offseason, I was able to refresh the mindset, get back to doing what I can do and just focus on staying positive.”"

Donaldson also talked about how many games he thought were a realistic number for him to play in this year.

"“I’d love to play 162 [regular-season games]. I’d love that, but the chances of that happening are probably zero. If I could say right now what I think I’m capable of doing and what I’d love to do with everything being perfect, I’d say I could play 150-155. I’ve done that so many years in the past. The last couple years, that has been difficult because Spring Training has been taken away from me.”"

Oh my goodness.

Can you imagine 150 games of a healthy Acuna, Donaldson and Freeman? There would not be a better top three in baseball.

Now, the disclaimer is obviously Donaldson’s inability to stay healthy the past 2 years, but it’s fun to imagine.  Before the, he had posted 155+ game appearances in 4 straight years.

Donaldson is also is out to prove Alex Anthopoulos right again, just like he did in 2015 when he won the MVP for the Toronto Blue Jays.

He was nearly a nine-win player for the 2015 AL Championship Series participants.  Between 2013 and 2016, his WAR totaled 29.2… best in baseball for those not named ‘Trout’.

Without the addition of a power bat, there has been some discussion about Donaldson or Acuna moving to the fourth spot in the batting order, but much like his comments on Acuna staying in the leadoff spot, Braves manager Brian Snitker said he has Donaldson penciled in the two spot.

In conclusion, check out this video posted by the Braves of Donaldson posted in the cage Sunday and tell me you aren’t in awe.

Are we not fired up yet?