Atlanta Braves 2014 Season Preview: Staff Predictions
By Brad Rowland
Mar 25, 2014; Lakeland, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves right fielder Jason Heyward (22) is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after he scores a run during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Rowland
Despite the “sky is falling” circumstances during Spring Training, this is still a top-shelf team from a roster standpoint. The loss of Brian McCann (and Tim Hudson, for that matter) will hurt, but “trading” Kris Medlen for Ervin Santana won’t be the massive downgrade that some think, and there is reasonable improvement on the horizon for guys like Jason Heyward, BJ Upton, and Dan Uggla.
The Washington Nationals are, frankly, better on paper than the Braves, and because of that, I’m penciling in Atlanta for a 93-69 record and the top Wild Card spot in the National League.
From an individual standpoint, I am still driving the bandwagon for both BJ Upton (who I think will post an OBP around .300 with 15 HR and 25 SB) and Dan Uggla (.320 OBP, 25 HR), but more importantly, this will be the breakout season from Jason Heyward that many have predicted for a few years. Heyward will take walks, hit for power, steal bases, and defend at a Gold Glove level, and with that, he will challenge Andrelton Simmons for the WAR lead on the club and be the team’s MVP.
Pitching-wise, Mike Minor bounces back from his shoulder issue to post a mirror season to his showing in 2013, Julio Teheran takes another step forward, and Ervin Santana is closer to the very good option he was in 2013 than to the 5.00+ ERA guy he has flashed in the past. Fredi Gonzalez will have to do some shuffling, but this pitching staff is still good, and it will help to anchor another 90-win season.
More importantly, let’s get this going!
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There you have it for the 2014 Atlanta Braves preview! Stay tuned for ALL of your Braves coverage throughout the season, and please feel free to follow us on Twitter (@ATLBeatBlog) and flame away in the comments!