Michael Bourn Projected to Start in CF for Braves

Michael Bourn began his second stint with the Atlanta Braves in August following the trade of Chris Johnson to the Cleveland Indians.

Though Michael Bourn was initially the fourth outfielder on the Braves roster in 2015, he quickly found more playing time due to injuries. Bourn did have a good month of September, hitting .286 and recording a .391 OBP for the Braves. Now that Cameron Maybin has departed via a trade with the Detroit Tigers on Friday, Michael Bourn now finds himself in familiar territory: the starting center-fielder role for the Atlanta Braves.

-= Related: Cameron Maybin Traded to Tigers =-

An All-Star in 2012, Michael Bourn had a great first stint with the Atlanta Braves before signing with the Cleveland Indians in free agency in 2013. He hit .274 with 42 stolen bases before heading for the shores of Lake Erie. Bourn may not possess the same danger at the plate or on the basepaths that he did a few years back, but is nonetheless still an excellent leadoff hitter.

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The Atlanta Braves sorely missed his presence for the better part of three seasons, but now Bourn is tasked with becoming a veteran leader on a team that will surely feature some young faces in 2016 season. One of the fresh faces is surely Braves’ Minor League Player of the Year Mallex Smith, who is now a part of the 40-man roster and will contend for a spot on the opening day roster.

Mallex Smith will probably not start the season in center-field for the Braves, as he will probably require more seasoning at AAA Gwinnett. With Michael Bourn roaming the outfield, the Atlanta Braves become a better defensive team, and once Mallex Smith is ready to enter the show, will have a job mentoring the young outfielder.

Though Bourn has not yet gotten traded because of his contract, he may become expendable at some point during 2016 if he plays well and rookie Mallex Smith is ready to start. The Braves may want to sell high on the again outfielder, and give Mallex Smith a chance to spread his wings.

Next: Jose Fernandez: Trade Target for Braves?

For however long Michael Bourn remains with the Braves, he will have a positive impact on a club that is headed for what is looking like a disappointing season. Still though, it is good to have a familiar face manning the center-field position, and give Braves fans hope that with Mallex Smith, the future in Atlanta is bring. Keep it here for ongoing updates on the Braves offseason.