Braves End Spring With 17-12 Record And Hopes For Playoff Berth
By thelandryhat
The Atlanta Braves ended the spring Grapefruit League with a respectable 17-12 record. But most importantly, certain players showed a lot of promise–enough that could carry the Braves back into the playoffs.
Rookie Jason Heyward will start in left field. Although he didn’t show a ton of home run power, he closed the spring with a solid batting percentage and a crazy hot slugging percentage.
Tim Hudson may have given up five runs in his last game of the preseason, but he does appear to be fully recovered from his surgery. Even with the pounding he took in the last game, he still ended the preseason with a 1.50 ERA in six starts! He might be the key to the Braves success.
Scouts and even Billy Wagner are saying that the Braves have a minor league player who could become a powerful closer in the majors. His name is Craig Kimbrel and there are some analysts wondering why the kid hasn’t been called up to make the bullpen stronger.
Martin Prado had a great spring and might be one of the most underrated second baseman in the National League. I expect him to be a fantasy stud this season and a huge improvement over Kelly Johnson.
Nate McLouth is injured and had a tough spring. He may not even be able to start the season in center field, which likely means Melky Cabrera will start the season. The Braves really need McLouth to improve upon his first season with the Braves. If he can muster a .275 batting average with at least 25 home runs, the Braves suddenly have one of the best offenses in the league to go with what looks like one of the best rotations in a decade.
The Braves start their regular season on Monday against the Chicago Cubs.
Derek Lowe is the first-game start. I think Bobby Cox made this move to give Lowe some confidence after a lackluster first year with the Braves when he went 15-10 with an awful 4.67 ERA. The Cubs plan to pit him against Carlos Zambrano.
On Wednesday, Jair Jurrjens will take on Ryan Dempster. Expect Jurrjens to have his best year yet as a Brave.
On Thursday, Tommy Hanson will take on Randy Wells.
The Braves should sweep the Cubs.