Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves: 2017 Team Preview

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:14 p.m. ET

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Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Braves are in a unique position heading into the 2017 season. Coming off of three consecutive losing seasons the Braves have hope for 2017. While the puzzle may not be completed, they are certainly getting there.

I am a huge fan of the Atlanta Braves; not in the sense that they are my favorite team, but I am very intrigued on the direction the franchise has taken. After back to back notable bad seasons the Braves easily became a rebuilding franchise. Yet, despite them still being in rebuild mode, I have a gut instinct that they may challenge for the National League Wild Card. While I don't think they are quite there yet, the pieces they have in place make up for interesting dynamics that may lead to a promising season.

Matt Kemp's Resurgence

Heading into Spring Training, Matt Kemp reportedly shed 30 pounds in route to putting together a better, healthier frame. This weight cut is extremely promising for the Braves, as when Kemp was at his best he was arguably the best player in all of baseball. Kemp had the potential to put together a 40-40 season and nearly did so being one home run shy. While Kemp has aged, and that dynamic time period have left, he certainly can add a ton to this Braves team. With more strength and conditioning Kemp can easily match his 35 home runs and 108 runs batted in from last year. With quicker hands, and a bit more speed on the base path, we may again see Kemp approach the .300 mark at the plate.

Dansby Swanson's Impact

Dansby Swanson was acquired in the steal of the decade when the Diamondbacks shipped him, Ender Inciarte, and Aaron Blair for Shelby Miller. Swanson is expected to be the Braves opening day shortstop and will prove to be a huge asset for the team's success. Before Swanson's debut the Braves shortstop position held a lackluster -1.8 Wins Above Replacement. Swanson, in his 38 games, put together a 0.8 Wins Above Replacement, and according to Fangraphs will post anywhere between a 1.7 and 3.3. This is a considerable upgrade and quite frankly may even be low balling Swanson. We have seen so many young shortstops take the league by storm in recent years and I would expect Swanson to follow suit.

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran Catcher:

The Atlanta Braves brought in the veteran backstop Kurt Suzuki to play behind starting catcher Tyler Flowers. Heck, if Suzuki impresses greatly in spring that spot may he his for the taking, regardless, this move gave the Braves more depth in the catching position that will undoubtedly give them one of the deepest in the league. Both Flowers and Anthony Recker held their own last season and adding the veteran presence of Suzuki will only improve the team. Not only will Suzuki produce, he will likely influence the younger guys in a way to benefit their game.

Starting Pitching:

Atlanta brought in three notable guys to the rotation, Bartolo Colon, Jaime Garcia, and R.A Dickey. While two of these guys are extremely old, their one-year deals won't hold the Braves back in the future and will only help in the now. While Colon and Garcia can undoubtedly help out the rotation in a positive manner, I am a firm believer that Dickey's spot belongs in the bullpen. After his Cy Young performance Dickey has floated around the 4.00 ERA mark and could improve his game with small work loads from the bullpen. In the first inning alone Dickey had a 3.10 ERA last season, so bringing him in for 1-2 innings of work would maximize his potential. However, with the inexperience of the back-end of the rotation Dickey will likely begin the season as a starter.

Infield Depth:

The Braves brought in two considerable talents to sum up their infield – Brandon Phillips and Sean Rodriguez. Brandon Phillips is the outright starter at second base and will boost the Braves fielding along with providing that veteran presence. While Phillips may not be the same player he was three or so years ago, he certainly isn't washed up in any way. Rodriguez, when returning from injury, will likely serve as an impact utility guy who will see a good amount of playing time as the starters need rest.

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Key Loses:

Honestly, the Atlanta Braves didn't really lose much from the end of the season last year. I know our very own Benjamin Chase will likely educate me on certain guys the Braves could have held on to, but in my eyes they didn't lose anyone that will hurt them. I think that every guy they parted ways with part of a bigger picture that only made the Braves better. Any guy they no longer have, like Erick Aybar, they filled with someone better.

Projections:

Rotation:

Bullpen:

Batting Order:

Record Predictions:

The Atlanta Braves certainly aren't all there yet, but I think we will see a significant improvement from last year. Dansby Swanson will play a bigger role than we think, Matt Kemp will have a career reassurance, and Freddie Freeman will flirt with the National League MVP. As their young pitchers develop further the Braves will only get better. While the lengthy MLB season may be a bit too much for them now, expect electric moments and a big turnaround from the Atlanta Braves this season.