Atlanta Braves 2018 Season Preview
The Atlanta Braves underwent a tumultuous 2017 campaign. The coming year almost has to be better by default, right?
Last year, the Atlanta Braves began the 2017 season with hope. The farm system was the best in the game, young stars were beginning to reach the majors, and the team was going to begin their turnaround. Veteran starters Bartolo Colon, Jaime Garcia, and R.A. Dickey were brought in to help teach the team how to win. SunTrust Park had opened, and the Braves were getting ready to contend. 2017 was going to be a step in the right direction.
Instead, the season was a disaster. Colon was a disaster, and was released on July 4th. Nominal ace Julio Teheran could not adjust to the new ballpark, and was hammered at home. Jim Johnson led the team with 22 saves, although he had a 5.56 ERA and a 1.482 WHiP. The Braves improved their record, but a 70-92 season was not what they expected.
The hits kept coming after the season. General Manager John Coppolella had been playing fast and loose with the international signing rules, leading to his lifetime banishment. The Braves were hammered as well, losing 12 minor leaguers, including top prospect Kevin Maitan. They received severe restrictions on their ability to sign international talent through 2020, and were barred from signing future top international prospect Robert Pauson. Major League Baseball brought the hammer down on Atlanta.
And yet, there is still reason for optimism. Despite those losses, the Braves still have one of, if not the best, farm systems in the game. The prospects are still coming, and youngsters A.J. Minter, Ozzie Albies, and Johan Camargo showed promise. Ender Inciarte took another step forward. New general manager Alex Anthopoulos helped bring the Blue Jays to the postseason. The future may not be here for the Braves just yet, but it has a lot of promise.
What does that mean for the Atlanta Braves as they look towards the 2018 campaign? Let’s take a look and find out.
Atlanta Braves additions and subtractions
Key additions: Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy, Peter Moylan
Newcomer to watch: Scott Kazmir. If healthy, Scott Kazmir could be a key part of the Atlanta Braves starting rotation. If the Braves struggle, and Kazmir proves to be healthy, he could even be a solid trade chip at the deadline.
The problem is that Kazmir is not a bastion of health. Those health woes continued last year, as he missed the entire season due to a hip injury that cropped up in 2016 and sapped the velocity from his fastball. He is healthy once again, but showing obvious rust from missing over a year of action.
Kazmir certainly has the talent needed to help the Braves rotation. He has been a three time All Star, and battled his way back from injuries and ineffectiveness before. However, his 4.56 ERA and 1.357 WHiP in 136.1 innings during the 2016 campaign certainly make one wonder how much he has left in the tank. At this point, Kazmir is a complete wild card for the Braves.
Key losses: Matt Kemp, Matt Adams, Adonis Garcia
Biggest loss: Matt Adams. Adams may not have been a star with the Braves, but he was a solid player that gave the Braves options around the diamond.
In fact, his biggest impact may have come at a position he did not play. With the Braves issues at third last year, Adams being on the roster led to Freddie Freeman playing a handful of games at the hot corner. Even though it may not have been the best decision defensively, this alignment allowed the Braves to put their best hitting lineup on the field.
Heading into 2018, the Atlanta Braves really did not have room for Adams on the roster. Freeman was back at first, and Atlanta has a crowded outfield. The decision to let him depart as a free agent made sense. However, Adams has proven to be a valuable depth piece, and may be the type of player the Braves could use later this season.
What should be expected from the Atlanta Braves in 2018?
In a lot of ways, the Atlanta Braves are still building towards the future. But that future is getting a lot closer.
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More pieces of the future core are on the cusp of the majors. Third base prospect Austin Riley may arrive sometime this season, potentially moving Camargo into more of a utility role. Top prospect Luiz Gohara had a brief major league debut last year, and could crack the rotation coming out of Spring Training. Ronald Acuna is turning heads, and Mike Soroka could be up as soon as the end of this year. The future is bright indeed.
However, it will take time. The Braves are still in great shape moving forward, as Coppolella did focus on stockpiling minor league talent. While his methods may have been questionable, it is hard to argue with the results of his labor.
This year, the Braves go into 2018 without those free agent splashes. There will be bumps in the road, but they are moving closer to that young, dynamic team that the fans are looking forward to seeing in the majors. The wins should come soon, but that may not be the case this year.
Next: Braves prospects flying up rankings
The Atlanta Braves have a bright future. Just give it a bit more time. Prediction: Fourth place in NL East.