Atlanta Braves
After several years of a full rebuilding effort, the Atlanta Braves shocked everyone and won 90 games and the division in 2018. However, nearly every team in the division improved more this off-season, making a repeat division title difficult to envision. Not only are the Braves going to have to play exceptional baseball this season to make it back to the playoffs, they are also going to need some things to break right for them as they did a year ago.
The young pitchers taking a big step in development is the most important thing that has to happen in order for the Braves to have a successful season in 2019. Beyond the health and continued performance of Mike Foltynewicz as well as positive contributions from Kevin Gausman, Sean Newcomb and Julio Teheran, the Braves youngsters will have to perform.
Mike Soroka needs to get back on the mound where his excellent command and control have already proven successful against big leaguers. Touki Toussaint needs to learn how to control his fastball and attack hitters. Max Fried and Luiz Gohara need to figure out how to stay healthy so that they can contribute as well. Not to mention Kyle Wright, Kolby Allard and Bryse Wilson who should all factor into the pitching staff as well.
There are enough quality arms here that you can imagine five of them working out in the rotation this year and enough of them helping out the bullpen as well. The Braves will likely need the 80th percentile outcome or better from their young staff in order to tackle the giants in the division.
The other big factor that has to happen for the Braves is Josh Donaldson. Donaldson needs to bounce all the way back from a disappointing past couple of years. He needs to not only produce at a near MVP caliber level but also stay on the field for 140 games or more. While the Braves have excellent depth all over the field, they don’t have anyone else outside of perhaps Ronald Acuña Jr. and Freddie Freeman that can match Josh Donaldson‘s level of offensive production.