Brave New World Part I: Position Players

With the first week of Spring Training winding down, we've gotten a look at some of the exciting future stars of the organization.  Sean Newcomb, Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies, and Aaron Blair are just some of the early looks we've gotten (Including a historic debut for Mallex Smith), but those plot lines will be addressed next week, when we have more time to see these prospects.  For now, we'll do what Braves fans do best right now... Day Dream.

For the first of this two part series, we'll look at the starting position players that could reasonably be on the 2018 opening day roster.  Obviously lots can happen, and i've given a lot of preference to players currently in the Braves system (Catcher being the only out of house acquisition), and with such an active front office, most of this will probably be wrong.  But hey, guy can dream right? 

Catcher - Jonathon Lucroy:  This would not be the first time the all-star catcher had been tied to Atlanta, but this time an exchange seems more possible.  The difference now is that the Brewers have conceded they are in rebuild mode, and Lucroy has stated he wants to play for a contender.  He will have many suitors, but the Braves could offer the most competitive minor league package to a team who is very light on pitching in the farm system.

First Base - Freddie Freeman. I don't think anything more needs to be said on this topic.  He's going to be the 1st baseman for the forseeable future.

Second Base - Ozzie Albies: Timing is an advantage for Albies, because he will have another year in the minors to learn a new position, while Dansby Swanson secures his own spot at shortstop.  His plus contact skills but lack of punch in the bat profiles better at 2nd anyway.  Either way, expect plus defense up the middle no matter which player is on which side of the bag.

Shortstop - Dansby Swanson: The Marietta, GA native will assume the field general position either late 2016 or early 2017, and will also take up the center mantle of the franchise.  His plus contact, gap power, formidable speed and soft hands in the field gives him all the tools to be a Jeter for the next generation.

Third Base - Hector Olivera: It is reasonable to think that 2018 will see the (then mid 30's) Cuban move back to his home position at the hot corner.  He should provide a strong presence towards the bottom of a speed heavy lineup, with lots of RBI opportunities.  His defense will need to stay at least serviceable to avoid a platoon situation, and that will probably be the most intriguing factor here.  It is believed with some of the mechanical adjustments he has made (and will continue to make) are positive changes to adjust to MLB pitching.

Outfield: Nick Markakis, Mallex Smith, Braxton Davidson:  The biggest reach here is Davidson, while he has shown some promise (power, defense), he still has a lot to work on (plate discipline, bat speed) before reaching the show.  Since we're in my daydream though, let's just say that he finds his way up and into left field.  Markakis's veteran leadership is key, and while he will be heading to the end of his career (by 2018), he will still provide a strong bottom of the order bat and good defense in right (although one could see him and Davidson switching spots).  Smith provides a true leadoff hitter with blazing speed and smart base running instincts, setting the table for a contact and speed heavy lineup.

A lineup could look something like this..

1. Mallex Smith
2. Ozzie Albies
3. Dansby Swanson
4. Freddie Freeman
5. Jonathon Lucroy
6. Hector Olivera
7. Braxton Davidson
8. Nick Markakis

Next Week... We look at the pitchers!

The Hot-Lanta Corner, Third base in Braves Camp

On a rebuilding baseball team, there is usually no shortage of positional battles when teams report to Spring Training.  The Braves have a few of their own, granted not with the marquee names a fan would want, but it certainly does add a new level of interest to the games.  The most interesting battle on the diamond in Atlanta is at third base, where a three, or even possibly four way battle for the starting job will be taking place.  Here's a look at the four contenders.

Adonis Garcia:

He impressed with his power last year (10HR in 191 ABs), although his defense leaves lots to be desired and he doesn't have much of any speed to speak of.  The Cuban defector (entering his age 31 season) is probably the favorite to win the job, as the lineup desperately needs some sort of power in the middle of the lineup to protect Freddie Freeman, but he will have to show his glove is serviceable enough  to keep pace.

Gordon Beckham:

The Georgia native and former 1st round pick (2008) has experienced more downs than ups in his career, but for his sake, here's to hoping a trip home will prove to bring some life into his bat (he's never hit over .270, and that was his rookie year).  He's an average fielder, so that will help him against the better hitting competitors for the job, but he is also popping up as a possibility for 2nd base as well, so he really will be someone to watch.

Hector Olivera:

As of now, he is slated as the starting LF for the team, although reports have come out of Braves camp that he if they can't confidently put someone else at the hot corner, Olivera could end up back where he started.  He has shown strong glove work but his side arm throwing style (think Ryan Zimmerman) is cause for concern.  He has the strongest offensive potential of any of the other players competing for the spot, but he will have to deliver this year, as disappointing results have already caused management to tug on his leash just a little bit.

Kelly Johnson:

Originally the 2nd baseman for the infamous "Baby Braves" in 2005, Johnson now finds himself locked in a battle for playing time at 3rd.  He has found himself usually put in a platoon role (he only saw 24ABs against lefties last year, vs 158 against righties), and if he were to get playing time, there's no reason to think that would not continue, especially with other platoon-worthy players competing for a spot (Garcia in particular).  He's a solid defender, so that will only help his case for a platoon.

Overall, it seems like we've got a mix of players here, but the underlying theme is common between these four:  They are all over 30, have major holes in their game, and are all trying to find a way to prove they don't just have something left in the tank, that they can provide a presence on a team that desperately needs one.

Under the Surface... Three Names you should Know at Braves Spring Training (You May Not have Heard About)

As the days before baseball dwindle down, front offices are shifting their focus from what they want to what they have.  Depth charts start to become a little more clear, rotations start to gel into place, and the ink begins to dry on recently signed free agent contracts.

That doesn't make things any easier though, especially in Atlanta.

If you thought that Dansby Swanson, Ozzie Albies, or Sean Newcomb aren't getting enough press coverage, then I would invite you to check that your internet connection didn't stop working around New Years.  It has become apparent to those who follow the team that these are the cornerstones (among others) of a franchise that is shifting gears towards a new phase of the grand rebuilding, and will be for some time in the future.  There are many names, however, that are not getting the attention that might be warranted, and it would only be fair to point them out...

Jholys Chacin: 
If I told you that we had a pitcher that was at one point the ace of the Colorado Rockies, had a decent strikeout rate, and a career ERA under 4, despite pitching his entire career in Coors Field, that might actually be impressive.  Except it's Jholys Chacin, and for some reason, THAT is why he's been completely overlooked as a pitcher primed for a comeback.  There is a history of injuries, no doubt about it, and his ERA and FIP don't exactly flatter each other (3.76/4.01), one has to take in to account that the level of competition this guy has faced in the past, was far elevated over what he could see in the NL East.  The sinkerball pitcher will likely start the year in AAA, but received an invite to play with the big boys this spring, I would look for him to make a serious run at joining the rotation if not right away, then early on if Williams Perez or Bud Norris struggle.

Rio Ruiz:
This could be an interesting fork in the road for Rio, once a high ranking prospect in a barren farm system, he now is struggling to find his footing, and at possibly the worst time.  With the fresh injection of highly talented, "destined for the show" prospects flooding the Braves farm system, Rio's lack of offense and sub par defense over the past year (plus) have been accentuated, and he will have to prove that he can hit for an average higher than .233 against big league arms, and make himself a viable option for the big league club.  A strong spring could eventually mean a bench or corner utility spot for him.  Anything less, could stamp him for a career in the minors.

Aaron Blair:
Blair has gotten some press that the previous two haven't, but with good reason.  As part of the infamous Shelby Miller deal, Blair brings MLB ready talent to the team.  There is still a good chance that he starts the year in AAA Gwinnett, but of anyone on the invitees list (even the big names), he has the greatest probability of cracking the big league roster.   He doesn't wow with Newcomb like velocity or Toussaint break on his curve, but he is a solid pitcher with plus control and has little else to prove in the Minor Leagues anymore.

There are many names to watch this year, and for years to come in the Braves system, both on the mound and at the plate, so we continue to watch the maturation of what Keith Law of ESPN ranked as the best farm system in MLB, so as time goes on, we will keep our eyes towards the future, and with a system as deep as this, it's not just the names that make the papers that will one day make a difference in Cobb County.