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5 Bold Predictions for Atlanta Braves in 2016 Spring Training

By Jake Mastroianni

Oct 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ed Easley (23) catches a ball to tag out Atlanta Braves third baseman Hector Olivera (28) at home in the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ed Easley (23) catches a ball to tag out Atlanta Braves third baseman Hector Olivera (28) at home in the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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  1. At Least One Veteran Starting Pitcher Will Break Out
Feb 29, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Bud Norris fields a ground ball during spring training workouts at ESPN
Feb 29, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher Bud Norris fields a ground ball during spring training workouts at ESPN /

Speaking of those veterans looking to re-establish themselves, the Braves have three candidates in the rotation that fit that mold. Bud Norris, Kyle Kendrick, and Jhoulys Chacin are all coming off disappointing seasons and are looking to have comeback years to get bigger contracts next offseason.

Norris is the most likely candidate to have a bounce-back season, and being the only one that signed a major league deal, he’s the one that’s most likely to end up in the starting rotation at the beginning of the season. Norris is still just 30 years old and is only two years removed from a 15-win, 3.65 ERA season with the Baltimore Orioles.

Kendrick, who is 31 years old, signed a minor-league deal with the Braves and will make $2 million if he makes the big league roster. After eight years with the Phillies in which he had a 4.42 ERA, he had a disastrous season in Colorado, posting a 6.32 ERA in 27 starts last year. It would not be surprising to see Kendrick make the rotation out of spring training, but it would be surprising to see him break out.

Chacin might be the most interesting veteran to watch in spring training. He is the youngest of the three we’re looking at as he is just 28 years old. He too is on a minor league deal, but will earn $1.1 million if he makes the big league roster.  He’s always been a solid pitcher with a 3.76 career ERA, and six of those years he pitched in Colorado.

Chacin has only made 15 starts the past two seasons, so it will be interesting to see where he’s at during spring training. If he can just get back to his normal performance, he could have a great season in a pitcher-friendly park in Atlanta in 2016.

Next: 2. Dansby Swanson Will Give Braves Something to Look Forward To

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