Atlanta Braves: Projected 2016 Starting Lineup
As the Atlanta Braves begin to enter the final month and a half of the 2015 season, there is much speculation about what the team will look like on the field next year in their final season playing at Turner Field.
John Hart set out this past offseason and season to re-tool the Atlanta Braves: building the farm system, acquiring young and talented pitching, and signing players who make consistent contact at the plate. Though not yet over, the 2015 season allowed Braves fans a glimpse into the future by seeing young players make their debuts and receive consistent playing time.
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Gone are the days where the Atlanta Braves lineup was power heavy with a penchant for striking out. John Hart’s Braves team of the future will be built from within: developing utilizing a re-vamped farm system where the club leverages young and controllable players with a solid coaching staff.
This year, Hart made it a point to rid the Atlanta Braves of unfriendly contracts — most recently evidenced by the trade of Chris Johnson to the Cleveland Indians. Another component of Hart’s renovation is the presence of savvy veterans on the team, who will be able to mentor the Braves young talent. Players like Jonny Gomes, Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn — though their future with the club next year remains unclear — still all have a role to play in Hart’s vision.
The difficulty with looking ahead to next season is that no one knows who will be left on the Atlanta Braves. If last off-season was any indication, John Hart does not grow attached to his players. No one is safe and everyone is a potential asset in order to reach the final goal. Let’s speculate on what the team’s starting lineup will look like next year, given the Braves current assets and depth chart:
Next: A Veteran Switch?