Atlanta Braves: 5 Things We Learned From Braves First 15 Games
By Deke Lloyd
4. Key Braves That Have Started Slow
It’s been 15 games. It’s way too early to announce the MVP and hand out the World Series trophy. Just because someone has started slow doesn’t mean it will stay that way. But for guys like Josh Donaldson, Ender Inciarte, Julio Teheran, and Sean Newcomb have all had rougher starts to the season. These four guys have still contributed even though the numbers won’t look as good as Acuna’s or Swanson’s or Fried’s, but the numbers are telling. Inciarte, the leadoff hitter, has an average below .200. Donaldson, who has looked better and finding gaps, has had a hard time this season. Julio Teheran has been up and down, just like he has his whole career. And Sean Newcomb has been a walk machine and got shelled by the Mets the other night before getting out of the second inning.
It’s way too early to be harsh on any players, even Chris Davis deserves some slack at this point, but a slow start is not going to help this Braves team to improve. Every player I named is a player who is vital to the Braves success. The Braves offense would be even better as soon as Inciarte and Donaldson get going. And Donaldson has shown flashes in this last week. Teheran is a veteran presence for the young pitching staff. Newcomb control has always been an issue. It’s frustrating to see him still struggling with the same problem, but the guy is 25 years old. He has time. The Braves have been succeeding without these players at full throttle. Once these guys get it going, the Braves will be on another level.