Atlanta Braves Lineup Must Adjust Strategy in 2018
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves must play small ball in the 2018 season to find success on offense. With little to no power in the lineup the Braves offense must focus on consistent contact and making the right decisions.
Saying the Atlanta Braves current lineup lacks power is an understatement. Aside from Freddie Freeman the biggest power threat in the current lineup would likely be Tyler Flowers. Flowers as your second best power hitter in any lineup is a big bright red flag.
While Flowers is an above average hitter for a catcher he is far from a power threat. If the Braves want to find success in 2018 on offense they must adjust. Playing small ball and advancing runners will be huge for the Braves offense.
Ronald Acuna could bring some power to the Braves lineup whenever he makes his eventual debut. But counting on a rookie to bring power to your lineup is a gamble at best.
Another question that the Braves lack of power raises, is who will protect Freddie Freeman? Tyler Flowers seems the most likely candidate to start the season with Dansby Swanson being an option as well if he bounces back in 2018.
Swanson may have struggled to adjust last season but is set to take a step forward and could thrive batting behind Freeman.
Adding power to the lineup isn’t out of the question either with the Braves GM recently saying with how many names there are on the free agent market adding isn’t out of the question. If the Braves choose to stick with what they have on their current roster they will have to adjust their strategy in 2018.