FOXSportsSouth.com invites you to meet the Braves as we continue a month-long look at our team, player-by-player. We'll revisit 2011 and project what 2012 might look like.
Martin Prado
Position: LF/3B
Height: 6-1; Weight: 190
Bat/Throw: R/R
Hometown: Maracay, Venezuela
Experience: Fifth season
2011 in review: Prado was heating up in early June when a staph infection forced surgery in his right calf and sidelined him from June 7 until July 15. Even though he played in only 129 games, Prado hit 13 home runs and drove in 57 runs, just off his career-high numbers of 15 homers and 66 RBIs, set in 2010.
Career highlight: He was selected as a reserve to the NL All-Star team in 2010, but started at second base in place of Philadelphia's Chase Utley. Prado went 0-for-3 in the NL's 3-1 victory.
Outlook: Penciled in as the starting left fielder, Prado will start the season at third while Chipper Jones comes back from knee surgery. Prado will hit no matter where he plays, so expect him to bounce back with a .300 average and better power numbers than he posted in 2010.
You should know: In 2008, Prado hit in seven different spots in the batting order – all but fourth and ninth – and started games at five positions (first, second, third, shortstop and left field).
Sunday: Eric Hinske
