Atlanta Braves: Four Areas to Build on for Next Season

Jul 19, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Shelby Miller (17) delivers a pitch to a Chicago Cubs batter in the fourth inning of their game at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

With the 2015 season in its dying embers, the Atlanta Braves must shift their focus to 2016 and beyond.

The Atlanta Braves need to improve mightily in many areas across the ball field. With poor hitting and poor pitching, the Braves have nowhere to go but up. Shelby Miller and Freddie Freeman provided the lone bright spots in each department, but they need help if the Braves want to compete in the National League East.

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The top two teams in the N.L. East, the New York Mets and Washington Nationals, have the pieces to compete at a high level for years to come. Starting with the pitching rotation, they each have multiple aces, and they also have a lineup to provide run support. Moreover, the Miami Marlins are not far behind. With an ace the caliber of Jose Fernandez and an impact bat like Giancarlo Stanton, the Marlins have the building blocks to play competitively in the future. 

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Also, let us not forget about the Philadelphia Phillies. They are continuing to grow through the youth in their organization (i.e. Maikel Franco, Aaron Nola, and top ranked prospect J.P. Crawford). The Atlanta Braves seem closer than the Phillies to being a top-notch team in the East, but they must continue to stick the course with the rebuilding process.

Outside of the Atlanta Braves’ “core-four” (Freddie Freeman, Andrelton Simmons, Shelby Miller, and Julio Teheran), the team does not have much to offer. John Hart needs to aggressively build this team into winner because the 2017 season is quickly approaching. The team continues to take steps in the right direction, but Braves’ fans are growing impatient with the lackluster performances. So, what do the Atlanta Braves need to build on to see their performances trend in a positive direction? 

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