2008 Atlanta Braves Lineup Predictions

1. Yunel Escobar: Escobar had the best season out of any Braves rookie hitter last year. He is going to have to improve on his power numbers if he wants to be a one of the best shortstop in the NL. I imagine that Esco played over his head last season. I see hitting around .280-.290 next season. If he repeats the season like he did last year I will be ecstatic. He doesn’t bring much speed as a lead off hitter. He does have great baseball instincts, which is a major plus. The Havana native has pretty good range, plus a cannon for an arm. Escobar should have another quality season next year.

2. Mark Kotsay: Kotsay was acquired in a controversial trade that sent Joey Devine and Jaime Richmond to the A’s. The main problem I have with Kotsay is his health. If he is healthy is a quality major league hitter that does what the coach asked him to do. Like hitting the runner over, hitting a sac fly, or working the count stuff like that. Before his back injuries he was also an above average center fielder. In the number two whole Kotsay just has hitter runners and get on base for the sluggers behind him. Kotsay will prove to be an eloquent pick up this season.

3. Chipper Jones: Chipper Jones is the heart and the soul of the Atlanta Braves. When Chipper is hurt the Braves tend to fall apart. Chipper should have a similar season to what he did last year. He might do even better with Mark Teixeira hitting behind him for an entire season. Chipper is a complete hitter and showed that he can play third base at a high level last year. If Chipper stays healthy majority of the season, the Braves might raise another pennant at Turner Field next season.

4. Mark Teixeira: Big Tex was the biggest acquisition last year before the trading deadline. Teixeira is a young power hitting first baseman that can carry a team for weeks at a time. Another aspect of Teixeira game that people tend to over look is his great defense at first. This is his contract year so expect a big season from the former Georgia Tech star player. With any luck, Liberty Media and Frank Wren will open up their wallets to extend Mark Teixeira contract, so he can be the corner stone for the Brave organization for many years to come.

5. Brian McCann: The pride of Duluth, Georgia showed that he was one of the best catchers in baseball again. His average slipped from .333 to .270 last season. That can be attributed do to his ankle and finger injuries he had. McCann this off-season has added upper body strength and has increased his flexibility through yoga this off-season. He also had lacisk eye surgery and said that his vision is the best that it has ever been. A healthy B-Mac will help the Braves in a plethora of ways next year. He is a consistent hitter that calls a great game and has plus power for his position. I am expecting another all-star type of a season from Brian McCann.

6. Jeff Francoeur: Francoeur improved in many areas of his game last year. He improved on his batting average by hitting .293. from his previous .270 average. He bettered his walk total from 23 walks to 42 base on balls. He also showed very good range and a great arm in right field by wining a Gold Glove Award. The aspect of his game that decreased was his power numbers. If Francoeur wants to be a feared hitter he is going to have to get back to his high power numbers. So Francoeur worked out all winter with trainer Chip Smith at the Competitive Edge Sports camp, which is designed for college football players preparing for the NFL scouting combine. “I definitely wanted to add some power this off-season,” he said. “I really want to be able to hit 30 home runs; there’s no reason I can’t do that.” Francoeur hit 29 in 2006, but slipped to 19 last year. I am expecting Francoeur to have a .290-.280 average, 35-30 homerun, and a115 RBI season next year.

7. Kelly Johnson: Kelly Johnson is one of the most underrated second baseman in the National League. He has a great eye at the plate, and he has plus power from his position. His biggest problem his that he is a streaky hitter. At times, his mechanics get out of whack and he struggles. At the same time he still maintains a high on base percentages because he draws so many walks. In fact Johnson was 13th in the National League in walks last season. That put him first among NL second baseman. Johnson had a great season even though that he didn’t play that much baseball in the 2005 season (due to the TJ surgery that he had). He also had to go through a difficult position change from left-field to second base. He did a good job until later into the season where he struggle with fielding grounders to his back hand. I put Johnson in the seventh spot, because it adds more depth to the lineup. In 61 at-bats in the seventh-hole KJ hit .377 with a .457 OBP. If Kotsay struggles or Escobar I would change defiantly change them with Johnson.

8. Matt Diaz/Brandon Jones: Matt Diaz again had an unbelievable season. Diaz is a flat out “Hitting Monster.” Some fans would say that Diaz has earned an everyday left field role. “But if it aint broke, don’t fix it.” Brandon Jones is going to be a tough battle to make the team. He had a breakout season for the Mississippi and Richmond Braves last year. He showed great plate discipline, the ability to drive runners in, and some pretty good pop out of his bat. Another half season of seasoning in AAA will not hurt Jones that much. He can take that time to become a better center-fielder. He is probably going to have center-field some if he wants to be the Brave 4th outfielder. He showed major improvement in center when he was playing in the Mexican League. Matt Diaz and Brandon Jones should make a fantastic platoon for the Braves in the 08 season.

9. Pitcher: Tim Hudson is a really good hitting pitcher. He is going to be in a tough battle for the silver slugger award from the pitching position.