Braves X-Factor
We move from bold predictions to the X-factors for the Atlanta Braves. Who (or what) will be the X-factor in 2021?
Andrew: Johan Camargo. Enough said. (But no, if pitching stays consistent and we can avoid serious injury, then we will go far).
Alan: Top four in the lineup stay healthy all year.
Edgar: The X-factor is this lineup. I am actually becoming somewhat confident in the back end of the lineup and believe overall, that this is one of the most dangerous lineups in the league.
Josh: When everybody hits, everybody wins. But when you do not hit, you remind your fans of just one World Series title across 14 straight division championships.
Sam: Sean Newcomb. If he can finally get it together, he has the potential to make the bullpen or rotation much better.
Jake: Starting pitching depth. Soroka, Fried, Morton, Anderson, Smyly, Wilson, Wright, Ynoa, Touki, Davidson.
Steven: Pitching depth and consistent offense.
Seth: Cristian Pache. I believe the league could recognize Pache as the best defensive centerfielder in the game by the end of the season. His spectacular defense is going to save a lot of runs for the Braves pitching staff.
Matt: Cristian Pache – If Pache can hit right away, it will give the Braves a “do-it-all” CF who is elite defensively.
James: The bullpen. I think it is fair to say that the bullpen is the one part of the team that has regressed over the winter. Will Smith will need to bounce back some and Tyler Matzek and Chris Martin will both have to keep building upon what they have become since both becoming members of the Atlanta Braves roster. Could be a spot where the Braves look for a big acquisition come July.
Kyle: Ozzie Albies reclaiming his 2019 form.
Trent: I think Pache is this year’s X-factor. If he is elite defensively, he will be one of the more valuable players on the team at a premium defensive position. If he finds a way to be league average at the plate, he could legitimately be a 3+ WAR player this year. It would also make the already dangerous Braves lineup even more dangerous.
Pache has such an impressive arm pic.twitter.com/VvoDi23Gre
— Gaurav (@gvedak) March 27, 2021
Most of the X-factor predictions revolve around the Braves lineup and it being elite again in 2021. They return essentially the same lineup from 2020 that was one of the best in all of baseball.
When healthy, we know the Braves lineup can do damage. If Austin Riley or Cristian Pache figure it out at the plate, the lineup is arguably one of the best, if not the best, in the majors.
Other predictions revolve around the pitching staff. It makes sense because the starting pitching in 2020 outside of Fried and Anderson was an adventure.
The main player being listed as the X-factor is Pache. The top prospect has proven this spring that he is elite defensively. If he figures it out at the plate, the Braves have a star in the making.
Also, that makes two Sean Newcomb sightings in this prediction article. Both Sam and Kyle mention that they think Newcomb could provide a great value to the Braves bullpen.
Finally, let us take a look at record projections.