The Atlanta Braves played good enough to make the postseason for five of the half a year of last season, but that last 30 days just snuffed them out. Still a 89-73 mark is nothing to ignore and with many of their roster coming over there is no reason to think Atlanta can't break thru this season. Let's take a quick look at the batters they will be sending out to the field this season. If you'd like to get our predictions on more teams then have a look at our 2012 MLB preview article.
Projected Lineup
Brian McCann (Catcher) - Thought of as the top backstop in the NL, McCann disappointed when the organization needed him the most, as he wrestled for the last six weeks of the season. He only batted .180 in the last month, but ended up with 24 homers to lead all backstops last season. The upsetting end to his season will be inducement to come out powerful in 2012.
Freddie Freeman (First Base) - In his first year in the Major Leagues, the 22-year-old came out firing and surpassed expectations at an exponential pace. Freeman not only led the Braves with a .282 batting average, he also hit 21 home runs with 76 RBI. He definitely has the potentiality to be a major player for the Braves; it's just a matter of time before that potential is realized and everything comes together.
Dan Uggla (2nd Base) - Regardless of fighting in the first quarter of the season, batting just .173, Uggla rebounded back to belt a career-high 36 homers and reel off a 33-game hitting streak to finish the season. He should hit another 30-plus homers in 2012, with the aptitude for a much bigger season if he will get off to a fast start.
Tyler Pastornicky (Shortstop) - Atlanta let go of defensive shortstop Alex Gonzalez to create space for Pastornicky. He was able to hit .314 in 117 games between Double-A and Triple-A last year. He doesn't have a large amount of power, but the 22-year-old actually has the rate to be a threat on the bases and reach a .300 average in the Majors this year.
Chipper Jones (Third Base) - Regardless of a series of injuries, the vet 3rd baseman continues to chip in and contribute big-time whenever he can play. In 126 games last season, Jones batted .275 with 18 homers and 70 RBI. So long as the vet can play 120-130 games this season, the Braves will be satisfied.
Martin Prado (Left Field) - After reaching a .300 average the prior two-plus years, Prado had a disappointing season last season, when he batted just .260 with 13 homers and 57 RBI. He will be able to still turn it around on offense and return to hitting .300, but the real value he has on this team is his capability to step in and play 3rd base when needed.
Michael Bourn (Center Field) - The Braves dealt for Bourn last season, and it's as though they have finally found their leadoff man. Bourn hit .294 with 94 runs and 61 stolen bases between the Houston Astros and the Braves last season. He is one of the more underrated outfielders in the game today and he will certainly help the Braves in their search to go back to the postseason in 2012.
Jason Heyward (Right Field) - After a promising rookie year, Heyward fell victim to the sophomore slump and has turned into a query mark in 2012. He hit just .227 with 14 home runs and 42 RBI, a long way from his .277 with 18 home runs and 72 RBI as a rookie. He has what it takes to come back, but whether or not he can is undeniably up to him.
Projected Lineup
Brian McCann (Catcher) - Thought of as the top backstop in the NL, McCann disappointed when the organization needed him the most, as he wrestled for the last six weeks of the season. He only batted .180 in the last month, but ended up with 24 homers to lead all backstops last season. The upsetting end to his season will be inducement to come out powerful in 2012.
Freddie Freeman (First Base) - In his first year in the Major Leagues, the 22-year-old came out firing and surpassed expectations at an exponential pace. Freeman not only led the Braves with a .282 batting average, he also hit 21 home runs with 76 RBI. He definitely has the potentiality to be a major player for the Braves; it's just a matter of time before that potential is realized and everything comes together.
Dan Uggla (2nd Base) - Regardless of fighting in the first quarter of the season, batting just .173, Uggla rebounded back to belt a career-high 36 homers and reel off a 33-game hitting streak to finish the season. He should hit another 30-plus homers in 2012, with the aptitude for a much bigger season if he will get off to a fast start.
Tyler Pastornicky (Shortstop) - Atlanta let go of defensive shortstop Alex Gonzalez to create space for Pastornicky. He was able to hit .314 in 117 games between Double-A and Triple-A last year. He doesn't have a large amount of power, but the 22-year-old actually has the rate to be a threat on the bases and reach a .300 average in the Majors this year.
Chipper Jones (Third Base) - Regardless of a series of injuries, the vet 3rd baseman continues to chip in and contribute big-time whenever he can play. In 126 games last season, Jones batted .275 with 18 homers and 70 RBI. So long as the vet can play 120-130 games this season, the Braves will be satisfied.
Martin Prado (Left Field) - After reaching a .300 average the prior two-plus years, Prado had a disappointing season last season, when he batted just .260 with 13 homers and 57 RBI. He will be able to still turn it around on offense and return to hitting .300, but the real value he has on this team is his capability to step in and play 3rd base when needed.
Michael Bourn (Center Field) - The Braves dealt for Bourn last season, and it's as though they have finally found their leadoff man. Bourn hit .294 with 94 runs and 61 stolen bases between the Houston Astros and the Braves last season. He is one of the more underrated outfielders in the game today and he will certainly help the Braves in their search to go back to the postseason in 2012.
Jason Heyward (Right Field) - After a promising rookie year, Heyward fell victim to the sophomore slump and has turned into a query mark in 2012. He hit just .227 with 14 home runs and 42 RBI, a long way from his .277 with 18 home runs and 72 RBI as a rookie. He has what it takes to come back, but whether or not he can is undeniably up to him.
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