Atlanta Braves: Atlanta’s Top Five Players For 2017

1. Matt Kemp

The effect that Matt Kemp had on the Atlanta Braves offense when he was added to their lineup is being overlooked outside of Braves’ the faithful. Once Kemp joined the offense the Braves’ lineup clicked and finished the final two months of the season ranking toward the top of the league in most every offensive category. Kemp was the offensive piece that the lineup was missing and the reason they were able to play .500 down the stretch last year with one of the worst rotations in baseball.

With an improved rotation and a fully healthy offense it will be interesting to watch if Kemp’s positive effects on the Atlanta offense continue.  He is a is a power hitter and a true left fielder that slots nicely into the cleanup spot and gave Freddie Freeman some much needed protection.

Though the majority of his season was with the Padres between the Padres and Braves he racked up over 100 RBI’s and hit more than thirty homers for just the second time in his career. Kemp is a very talented power hitter who seemed to thrive in Atlanta and looked like the player he once was with the Dodgers. If that can continue Kemp will continue to help the offense keep it rolling and pick up the Braves unproven and veteran pitching.