Atlanta Braves: 2016 Fantasy Preview

By Brad Kelly | Feb 9, 2016

Sep 29, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez (33) and Atlanta Braves catcher A.J. Pierzynski (15) talk in the dugout during the fourth inning of their game against the Washington Nationals at Turner Field. The Braves won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

N.L. East

Atlanta Braves

Must Own Player: Freddie Freeman

Potential Fantasy Bust: Julio Teheran

Prospect to Watch: Sean Newcomb

The Atlanta Braves have had quite the interesting offseason the last two years. Prior to the 2015 season, they made the blockbuster deal to ship Jason Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals for Shelby Miller. Just as in the case of 2015, the Braves offseason would be once again defined by a trade involving Miller, this time with the club flipping him out of town.

Miller was great for Atlanta last season, and the club certainly took that opportunity to sell high on his value. While the Braves have their eyes set on contending in the upcoming seasons, which would also be aligned with the opening of their new stadium, they have taken the opportunity to amass as much young talent as they can.

The Miller trade this offseason could be looked at as a franchise-defining trade thanks in part to the king’s ransom the D’Backs sent to the Braves for Miller. While that trade may not have an immediate impact fantasy wise in 2016, it is important to monitor the plethora of prospects that the team received in case they get a call up.

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With Miller out of the rotation, it looks as though the only two for sure starters will be Julio Teheran and Bud Norris. Norris has been terrible the last two seasons and should be well off fantasy owner’s radar. Teheran on the other hand is an enigma heading into 2016.

Teheran has always been able to outpitch his peripherals and has been as durable as they come, but last season things finally seemed to catch up to him. His command worsened, his strikeouts dropped, and his homers skyrocketed. He has the track record of being a quality middle of the rotation fantasy piece, but the warning signs from last season may warrant owners to take a step back to see if he can recover.

The last three rotation slots are wide open to what seems like 10 possible options. For fantasy owners, starters such Matt Wisler, Mike Foltynewicz, or Aaron Blair would be names that would garner fantasy consideration, but it seems as though the situation is too clouded for them to become fantasy selections just yet.

If we move to the outfield, the Braves sport three starters that could still all be drafted this spring even after they dealt Cameron Maybin. The best fantasy option is Ender Inciarte who has a nice blend of speed and on base ability to become a quality OF3 of OF4. He stole 21 bases last season but was caught 10 times as well, so with some improvement he should easily be a 25+ SB producer in 2016.

Nick Markakis is one to own fantasy wise, but he is an ample AVG, Runs and OBP producer with a top of the order spot in front of Freeman. The wildcard in the situation though, is Hector Olivera. I touched on him more here, and I am one of the few who seems to think he can perform in the majors.

Every fantasy owner is familiar with Freeman and his skill set. He has battled a wrist injury and it may be the cause of his dip in power. But, with no protection behind him, 20 homers may now seem more of what to expect as pitchers refuse to let him be the one to beat them. With Inciarte and Markakis in front of him though, he should have no issue with reaching 80+ RBI.

The rest of the Braves infield shapes up to be pretty uninspiring. Jace Peterson is a light hitting second basemen who can get hot enough during the season to become a waiver wire add, but he does excel in any one category offensively. Adonis Garcia and Kelly Johnson will probably platoon at third, making neither draftable options this spring.

Erick Aybar is tasked with filling in for the traded Andrelton Simmons, and basically becomes a temporary bridge till Dansby Swanson gets called up. Aybar has been around since 2006 and you know what you are going to get from him as a low upside MI selection, .270/5-10 HR/15 SB/.630-.670 OPS.

Veteran A.J. Pierzynski was brought back to be the starting catcher, but the team also brought in Tyler Flowers as well. Neither should be drafted this spring, but if owners are desperate in two catcher leagues, Pierzynski could deserve a look after his .300 AVG season.

Atlanta’s bullpen last season was downright abysmal, especially after Jason Grilli went down with an injury. Arodys Vizcaino stepped in nicely and could be a nice late round RP selection if named the closer, but it remains to be seen how the bullpen shapes up with or whenever Grilli comes back from his torn Achilles. Do not sleep on RP Shae Simmons either who looks to return in May, as he shown flashes of being capable of handling a key bullpen role as well.

Over the last few seasons the Braves have amassed one of the most stacked minor league systems in baseball and that was one of the main reasons that Jon Hart was hired in the first place. The easy prospect choice to watch selection would be, 2015 1st overall pick, Dansby Swanson. But, I would rather direct owner’s attention to the fireball dealing lefty prospect, Sean Newcomb, who the Braves got back in the Simmons trade.

Newcomb has already been given Jon Lester comps, but with possibly an even higher ceiling. Armed with a mid-90s fastball, solid curveball and steadily improving changeup, Newcomb looks poised to fill in the backend of the Braves wide open rotation. Monitor his progress this season and pounce on him if he gets a call up.

Next: Philadelphia Phillies 2016 Fantasy Preview

The Braves will struggle again in 2016, but the future is certainly bright. Fans will no doubt get a glimpse of some of the young talent this season and for the Braves faithful 2017 or 2018 , can’t get here fast enough.

Looking for more previews?

NL West: L.A. Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks

NL East: Philadelphia Phillies

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