2015 Preview: Atlanta Braves

I heard an interesting stat this morning that blew my mind: the 2015 Atlanta Braves roster has, I believe, just 16 players returning from last year’s 40 man roster.

WOW!

That is quite the turnover. The rebuild under first-year-GM John Hart is well underway. Losing pieces like Jayson Heyward, BJ Upton, Evan Gattis, and Ervin Santana have put the Braves in a tough situation for 2015.

What’s worse, is news like outfield acquisition Nick Markakis and Melvin Upton, Jr. (sorry but that is just weird to say) are coming to camp injured.

Yes it is going to be a rough transition.

But here’s what you like about the Atlanta Braves. They are going to reload in a big way, and truthfully, already have.

The acquisitions of 2B Jace Peterson, LHP Max Fried, RHP Mike Foltynewicz, RHP Shelby Miller, 3B Rio Ruiz, LHP Manny Banuelos and RHP Tyrel Jenkins are going to put the Braves into a position where they will be successful for a long time.

I said last year, I thought the Braves lineup was one that was very strikeout heavy, it was, so GM John Hart has come in and acquired a lot of guys that are going to be excellent pro baseball players to pair with up and coming pitchers Julio Teheran, Miller, and Alex Wood along with superstar Freddie Freeman.

I think the surprising fact of last year’s Braves squad was despite how good their pitching was, their hitting was just not that good.

Near the bottom of every offensive category, it’s not going to get much better for Atlanta in 2015.

But here’s what you can expect.

Jace Peterson will make an impact in Atlanta in 2015 at some point. With excellent minor league numbers, I think Peterson could be one of the real unsung acquisitions this offseason. He isn’t flashy or have the name recognition of several other young guys, but he is solid.

I think of the four pitchers they picked up this winter, ‘Folty’ and Miller should have impacts in 2015.

Jenkins and Banuelos are more in the works, but should be solid major league contributors within a few years.

Eventually, the Braves arms will be talked about with the Mets, Marlins, and any other team in baseball.

Despite the big time makeover in Atlanta, the direction the Braves are going is very positive, even if it doesn’t translate in 2015.