New Braves BJ Upton, Justin Upton, Chris Johnson, Jordan Walden, Gerald Laird, Jordan Schafer, Ramiro Pena
McCann is shooting to make opening day but most reports have him missing the first couple of weeks of the season. Gerald Laird will be the starter with the backup either Evan Gattis or prospect Christian Bethancourt while McCann is out
Gattis was a beast in winter league. in 53 games he hit .303 with 16 HRs and 44 RBIs. He is an average at best defensive player though and projects to be an outfielder in the long term. Bethancourt from all accounts is a defensive stud but has some work to do at the plate. Bethancourt in 23 winter league games only hit .224 with 0 hrs and 3 RBIs. So it will be interesting to see what the Braves do for the first couple of weeks of the season with the back up catcher spot.
At 3rd base it looks like we are going to go with a platoon of Juan Francisco and Chris Johnson. Juan Francisco also had a very good season in winter league and it sounds like he lost a few pounds this offseason too. in 34 games he hit .307 with 9 HRs and 29 RBI. I dont know know much about that Chris Johnson guy
Pitching wise the rotation should look the same as last year with one exception. Brandon Beachy will be out until the all star break and with Hanson and Jurrjens gone it looks like the 5th spot is Braves top pitching prospect Julio Tehrens to lose
Projected opening day lineup from Fredi Gonzalez
SS Simmons
RF Heyward
LF Justin Upton
1B Freeman
CF BJ Upton
2B Uggla
3B Francisco/Johnson
C Laird
Rotation
Medlen
Hudson
Minor
Maholm
Tehren
The Uptons are going to get most of the headlines leading up to the season but if the Braves want to be a serious contender Brian McCann has to produce like the old Brian McCann. Cant wait for the season to start. GO BRAVES
[ Edited by valrod33 on Feb 4, 2013 at 09:11:37 ]
