Braves Report

The pitchers have reported. The catchers have reported. The position players have reported. Yes, it’s that time again folks. The time when the sun is shining bright, when the players are oiling up their rust spots, and when the pale, moon-like figures known as fans emerge out of their holes. Baseball is back, and it’s about time!

One of the teams that’s not been mentioned, or even on somebody’s far distant radar, is the team from Atlanta. Sure, they didn’t make too many big splashes during the off-season, but I think they may have found the few missing pieces to the puzzle that can lead them back to the playoffs, and to the World Series. Most people will dismiss my opinion of the 2008 Braves, but I have a message for them, “We are the team to beat.”

The Braves pitching staff is the most dominant or at least deep in the NL East. Smoltz, Glavine, and Hudson alone are one of the most promising top 3 in baseball. Old age or not, these guys can still pitch. The age is just an excuse made up by those who sit in denial. The back end is nothing to laugh at either. Returning for his third year, the crafty lefty Chuck James fills the 4th spot, and Mike Hampton, who after missing the last 2 years consecutive, may finally be ready to take the hill once again in the back end of the rotation. Now, these two are probably the most injury-prone in the rotation, so I wouldn’t expect them to pitch all season unharmed. It’s a good thing we’ve got at least three youngsters waiting in the wing for their chance to shine. First up is Jeff Bennett who pitched last year, and did quite well. He’ll probably get the nod first if either pitcher is to go down. Next is a toss-up being Jo-Jo Reyes, and the newly acquired Jair Jurrgens. Jo-Jo did quite badly in his time last year, but towards the end, managed to get his first major league win ending the season with two. As for Jair, at the young age of 22, has already claimed victory to 3 big-league wins, and impressive 4.70 ERA. Let’s not forget that he was an AL pitcher after all. Any one of these three guys would make for an excellent candidate if a spot opened up.

Starting rotation isn’t the only shining beacon for the Braves on the pitching side of things. No, the Braves, even after the Devine trade, have a solid looking pen out in right-center. Closing this year will be the dominant Dominican, Rafael Soriano. Last year, Soriano finished with a 3.00 ERA and 70 strikeouts, keeping up his reputation for sending batters back to the dugout empty handed. Setting up for him this year will be the “side-winda” from “down unda” Peter Moylan. Moylan was, without a doubt, the Braves biggest surprise player of the year, and one of their best. Moylan finished the season 5-3 with a barely-visible 1.70 ERA. The Braves also have Tyler Yates in the pen, who can be shaky, but brilliant as well. There’s also the newly attained Will Ohmen (who has an unbelievable record away from Wrigley), and returning Blaine Boyer. And last, but most certainly not least, the return of Mike Gonzalez sometime in late June or early July. This will provide an outstanding boost to the Braves pen, and if they’re already on a roll, who knows where this will lead them.

Now, onto those pesky position players, who are shaping up be just that for other teams. Around the horn, they’re as impressive as any team around. At third, do I even need to mention him? We’ve got Yunel Escobar at SS who lit up the league in his short four-month stint with the team before the close of the season. He went on to record a .326 batting average with 28 RBI’s, and 5 home runs, not to mention some very impressive work with the glove. Over at 2nd is the “most asked for player” Kelly Johnson. Kelly started the season on fire, but quickly tired. If he can work on his stamina, and last the whole marathon season, one can only guess at his numbers. Then there’s first base. First base is a bit bitter sweet. We’ve gave up so much to obtain him, and now he may be gone after just under a year and a half. That won’t let us not enjoy him this season though. Of course, I’m talking about the powerhouse that is Mark Teixeira. In just 54 games with the Braves, Tex hit .317 with 56 RBI’s and 17 home runs. Behind the plate is the catcher who I am convinced is the best catcher in all of baseball, Brian McCann. Coming off another solid season with the Braves where he hit .270 with 18 home runs, I think the Braves can expect only good things from him. In the outfield, from left to right are Matt Diaz, Mark Kotsay, and Jeff Francoeur. Diaz who has proved two seasons in a row that he is no fluke is out there once again to shut his critics up. Francoeur need not prove anything to anyone. With his killer arm, and crazy bat, his opposer’s lips were sealed from day one. The Braves with the most to prove though, is Mark Kotsay. Obtained from Oakland in exchange for Joey Devine, Kotsay has a very tough uphill battle for him. Coming off back surgery that side-lined for most of the season last year where he only hit .214, he needs to do a complete 180 if he is to be taken seriously. Even with a few bumps here and there, I think this Braves team is one of the most solid and well-rounded teams to ever take the field.
Now, what kind of aspiring blogger would I be if I didn’t cover all aspects of the team that will be playing on the diamond this season? Not a very good one, I will tell you that much. The Braves bench is something one should not look over either. For the first time in years, we have a possible solid backup catcher in former Brave great Javy Lopez. There’s also Omar Infante, a new addition to the team who is an excellent utility player. Backing up Tex is Scott Thorman, who can be very good when he’s used in small increments. Filling out the rest of the bench will be Prado, Anderson and/or Brandon Jones. So all in all, our bench is looking very stable too.

This year, I’m very confident in the Braves, and that’s quite a shocker to those who know me as a pessimist doubter who never believes. Even with the acquisition of Johan Santana, I still don’t see the Mets, or the Phillies for that matter, running away with the division, or pennant, as some over-zealous Met fans have declared. No, I think if the Braves stay healthy, and work together, they can make some serious strides and surprise a lot of people. But, for those of us without tunnel vision, it will be no surprise; it will be all that hard work paying off at last.