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.