The Atlanta Braves ' major collapse in the final month of the 2011 year enabled the St. Louis Cardinals to sneak into the postseason and subsequently win the World Series. Atlanta led the Cardinals by 8.5 games in September and would hang on to the lead till the final day of the regular year. It was a very hard tablet to swallow for just hired manager Fredi Gonzalez, who failed to reach the postseason despite an 89-73 record. Atlanta did not make significant changes nevertheless , and the team will stick it out with many of its players intact. Here are the projected starting pitcher and closer situation. If you'd like to know lots more about our thoughts on the team check our 2012 Atlanta Braves preview.
Projected Staff
Tim Hudson (RHP) - The 36-year-old veteran had another solid season last season. He went 16-10 with a 3.22 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. He is coming from back operations over the winter, but he's expected to be prepared for early season action.
Tommy Hanson (RHP) - Hanson had to miss a huge part of Aug and Sep with a shoulder injury. He will be able to be dominant when healthy, though, as he went 10-4 with a 2.44 ERA early on. He did struggle in his final five starts before getting injured, going just 1-3 with an 8.10 ERA in that span.
Jair Jurrjens (RHP) - A knee injury also sat Jurrjens for a long-lasting amount of time last season. He ended up 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His incapacity to stay on the field is a bit worrisome, but his low ERA is highly important to the team's success.
Brandon Beachy (RHP) - Beachy churned in quite a powerful performance as a rookie last year. In 25 starts, the guy went 7-3 with a 3.68 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. The stat which has a large number of people excited is his 10.7 Ks/9 innings. He's got the potential to be the ace of this staff for many years to come.
Mike Minor (LHP) - Minor stepped in for the hurt starters and held his very own as he helped the Braves go 9-3 in his 12 starts. He ended up 5-3 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. He is still just 24 years old and still has plenty of time to pan out. If he can not hold down the 5th spot, the Braves have the choice to turn to 2 highly offered prospects in Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran.
Projected Closer
Craig Kimbrel (RHP) - In only his first season in the Bigs, the kid has already proved his worth as he set a rookie record with 46 saves and earning the National League Rookie of the Season award. Both right- and left-handed hitters batted under just .200 against him. He K'd 127 batters in just 77 innings. He is already being touted as the most dominant closer in the game.
Projected Staff
Tim Hudson (RHP) - The 36-year-old veteran had another solid season last season. He went 16-10 with a 3.22 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. He is coming from back operations over the winter, but he's expected to be prepared for early season action.
Tommy Hanson (RHP) - Hanson had to miss a huge part of Aug and Sep with a shoulder injury. He will be able to be dominant when healthy, though, as he went 10-4 with a 2.44 ERA early on. He did struggle in his final five starts before getting injured, going just 1-3 with an 8.10 ERA in that span.
Jair Jurrjens (RHP) - A knee injury also sat Jurrjens for a long-lasting amount of time last season. He ended up 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. His incapacity to stay on the field is a bit worrisome, but his low ERA is highly important to the team's success.
Brandon Beachy (RHP) - Beachy churned in quite a powerful performance as a rookie last year. In 25 starts, the guy went 7-3 with a 3.68 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. The stat which has a large number of people excited is his 10.7 Ks/9 innings. He's got the potential to be the ace of this staff for many years to come.
Mike Minor (LHP) - Minor stepped in for the hurt starters and held his very own as he helped the Braves go 9-3 in his 12 starts. He ended up 5-3 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. He is still just 24 years old and still has plenty of time to pan out. If he can not hold down the 5th spot, the Braves have the choice to turn to 2 highly offered prospects in Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran.
Projected Closer
Craig Kimbrel (RHP) - In only his first season in the Bigs, the kid has already proved his worth as he set a rookie record with 46 saves and earning the National League Rookie of the Season award. Both right- and left-handed hitters batted under just .200 against him. He K'd 127 batters in just 77 innings. He is already being touted as the most dominant closer in the game.
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