Atlanta Braves: Five Ways They Can Compete in 2018

The Atlanta Braves may still be in rebuilding mode but if everything were to fall into place the Braves could compete for a Wild Card spot. For the Braves to compete however, these five things must happen in 2018.

The Atlanta Braves are coming into Spring Training with a camp full of youth that will excite Braves’ fans in 2018.  Despite the focus on the future and youth the Braves could surprise this season and compete.

While everything would have to perfectly fall into place for the Braves it is possible. Competing would only be possible if the offense and pitching both click this season and are well ahead of projections.

Getting ahead of the projected date to compete in fairness is doubtful with the development speed that many of the Braves’ prospects have shown.

The bullpen would have to overachieve as well avoiding the struggles that Jim Johnson brought could help them improve considering he is no longer on the team.

Shedding Matt Kemp and Matt Adams will help the Braves’ defense improve as well as they head into the season with a much better outfield and a healthy Freddie Freeman.

Here are the five things that must happen in the 2018 season for the Atlanta Braves to compete: