Braves 2016 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2016 Atlanta Braves predictions? Expectations aren’t high for Atlanta this year, but does this team have a surprise up their sleeve? There isn’t much optimism in Atlanta for the Braves.
MLB Braves Predictions & Handicapping Insight
Atlanta comes into this season with not much build off of as they completely tore the roster apart 2 years ago.
Atlanta certainly isn’t there yet and is maybe a year or two still away from considering competing.
There are a lot of holes to be filled and given the circumstances, Atlanta may be in for a long year this season.
2016 MLB Team Previews
- Braves National League East Future Odds: +2500
- Braves NL Pennant Future Odds: 100/1
- Braves 2016 World Series Future Odds: 140/1
Key Additions
(C)Tyler Flowers, (INF) Gordon Beckham, (INF) Kelly Johnson, (SP) Bud Norris
The Braves addition list isn’t going to wow anyone. In fact, some may have not even heard of a few of these players. However, these additions fit exactly what the Braves are trying to do here. They have bolstered the positions that were lacking and added a lot more depth to their team.
Look for Bud Norris to be the key here. Norris has battled injuries and struggles, but has shown a lot of potential. He could be the steal the Braves are looking for to bolster their rotation.
Key Losses
(SS) Andrelton Simmons, (P) Shelby Miller, (P) Mike Minor
The losses hurt more by far than the gains. However, both Simmons and Miller, who were such crucial parts of their starting rotation.
In return the Braves did get a compliment of prospects that could prove to be useful down the road in the organization.
Simmons was a key part to this offense, but with the likelihood of him leaving after his contract is up, the Braves certainly maxed out his value with the prospects they received.
2016 Braves Predictions – Projected Lineup
- Ender Inciarte (L) – CF
- Erick Aybar (S) – SS
- Freddie Freeman (L) – 1B
- Nick Markakis (L) – RF
- Adonis Garcia (R) – 3B
- Hector Olivera (R) – LF
- A.J. Pierzynski (L) – C
- Jace Peterson – 2B
This is certainly one of the most unproven lineups in the MLB.
The one steady over the past few years has been Freddie Freeman in the middle of the lineup. Freeman has been a giant part of this team and has been the most consistent and reliable bat for them.
The top of the order additions in Ender Inciarte and Erick Aybar offer a different look for the Braves. Both players offer speed and the ability to turn singles into doubles. They are the tone setters for this lineup and the Braves won’t have any success if these two do not.
The bottom of the order is about as sketchy as if can get. They’ll be relying on a lot of unproven talent, along with Pierzynski, who just always seems to land himself a starting job.
2016 Braves Predictions – Projected Rotation
- RHP Julio Teheran
- RHP Bud Norris
- RHP Matt Wisler
- RHP Jhoulys Chacin
- RHP Mike Foltynewicz
From immediate look, the Braves lack a LH pitcher in their rotation.
Atlanta simply does not have enough talent to lack a southpaw, but they’ll have to make due with what they have.
The Braves rotation is extremely unreliable as well. Not one of their starters has proven they have the potential to a #1 or even #2 really.
They won’t need a 5th starter until around April 12th and that is the perfect scenario for RHP Mike Foltynewicz, who continues to come back from a blood clot injury.
2016 Braves Predictions – Projected Bullpen
1. RHP Jason Grilli
2. RHP Arodys Vizcaino
3. LHP Eric O’Flaherty
Like their starting rotation, the bullpen really doesn’t have too much to offer.
However, the addition of Jason Grilli is one move that should be noticed. Grilli appeared in 36 games last year and notched 24 saves. He ran into the unfortunate situation of getting injured and the Pirates finding another close, but Grilli has a lot of potential.
If the rest of the bullpen can turn it over to him and get him into save situations, the Braves will be a lock down team in the 9th inning.
2016 Braves Predictions
The word “unproven” is going to be a theme for the Braves this season.
From top to bottom this team is very unproven and doesn’t have much optimism because of that.
While a playoff push is very unlikely, they’ll look to really develop their young players and look forward to building a brighter future for them.
Atlanta has proven they aren’t afraid to make a big move, which could be the story line this year as they may ship more veteran parts.
What do you think of our 2016 Atlanta Braves predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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