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Atlanta Braves: Five Reasons They Can Be Surprise Contenders

By Kit Anderson

Apr 16, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) celebrates after he hit a solo home run as San Diego Padres catcher Hector Sanchez (44) is shown on the play in the seventh inning of their game at SunTrust Park. The Braves won 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte (11) celebrates after he hit a solo home run as San Diego Padres catcher Hector Sanchez (44) is shown on the play in the seventh inning of their game at SunTrust Park. The Braves won 9-2. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Atlanta Braves
Mar 7, 2017; Bradenton, FL, USA;Atlanta Braves infielder Adonis Garcia (13) bats in the first inning of the spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. Catch the Ball

This may be an obvious part of baseball but it seems that the Braves have struggled on defense early this season with Swanson and Adonis Garcia in particular struggling to field and throw the ball cleanly. The Braves are going to have to play better defense behind a pitching staff that is going to have a lot of balls put into play.

That is not a knock on the Braves pitching rather a fact that the Braves have built a pitching staff that is looking to induce a lot of soft contact and not going to pile up a lot of strikeouts. If the Braves want to find some consistency with winning this season the Braves are going to have to play better defense and that may mean at some point moving Adonis Garcia off the diamond.

Having Garcia as a pinch hit option would help with the bench and the defense. The problem for the Braves is if Rio Ruiz is going to be ready this season and if not who will play third if Garcia cannot improve his play. Moving Brandon Phillips to third is one thing that the Braves may consider especially if Albies proves he is ready soon.

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