Atlanta Braves 2016 Fantasy Outlook

Mar 12, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Hector Olivera (28) bats during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Braves 2016 Fantasy Outlook

The Braves are in full rebuild mode now after trading Shelby Miller. They are trying to get themselves into position to open their new ballpark next year with a winner.

Atlanta Braves 2016 Projected Starting Lineup:

C: A.J. Pierzynski (.300, 9HR, 49RBI)
1B: Freddie Freeman (.276, 18HR, 66RBI in 416 AB)
2B: Jace Peterson (.239, 6HR, 52RBI, 12SB)
SS: Erick Aybar (.270, 3HR, 44RBI, 15SB with LAA)
3B: Adonis Garcia (.277, 10HR, 26RBI in 191 AB)
LF: Hector Olivera (.253, 2HR, 11RBI in 79 AB)
CF: Ender Inciarte (.303, 6HR, 45RBI, 21SB with ARI)
RF: Nick Markakis (.296, 3HR, 53RBI)

Pierzynski is still a fringe standard league option because he hits for a good average and still has some pop. And really, the Braves aren’t worried about saving him. He will catch when he can. He is a suitable backup option in case your starter goes down. He should be owned in all leagues of 12 or more teams.

Freeman lost part of last year to injury, but he still wouldn’t have hit the 30 home run plateau at the pace he was on. People are drafting him like he can hit that mark this year, and I think he can. I don’t know that I am willing to pay the extra premium though.

Peterson is still getting better, but he is barely an option in deep leagues right now. His steals make him worth rostering in those. Same with Aybar. He is really only useful in deep leagues where you need an able bodied starter that can swipe a few bags.

Garcia is not really a prospect considering that he is 30 years old, but his stats project to around 28 home runs over a full season. That makes him a good middle range option at a suddenly deep position.

Olivera is on fire this spring. That has shot his draft stock up. If he can continue it into the season, there is no reason for him not to be a standard league option. Just be aware that he will have some growing pains in the majors. Be ready to drop him in standard leagues when he cools off.

Inciarte has been inching up draft boards because he will likely bat leadoff for the Braves. He hits for a good average, has some pop, and will swipe a lot of bases. He fits nicely in the middle of your outfield.

Markakis’s power really slipped in Atlanta. He is a good option in deeper leagues because he still carries a good average, but he isn’t of much use in standard leagues anymore.

Next: How Will The Rotation Shape Up?

Mar 30, 2016; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) pitches during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the New York Yankees at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Braves 2016 Projected Pitching Rotation:

Julio Teheran (11-8, 4.04 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 171K)
Bud Norris (3-11, 6.72 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 71K in 83 IP with BAL/SD)
Matt Wisler (8-8, 4.71 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 72K in 109 IP)
Jhoulys Chacin (2-1, 3.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 21K in 26.2 IP with ARI)
Mike Foltynewicz (4-6, 5.71 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 77K in 86.2 IP)
Arodys Vizcaino (3-1, 1.60 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 37K in 33.2 IP, 9/10 saves)

Teheran had a bit of a disappointing season last year after his 2013 campaign. My guess is he will be somewhere in between the two, which makes him a solid middle of the fantasy rotation pitcher. He could flirt with 200K this year as well.

The move to San Diego didn’t even help Bud Norris last year. Perhaps the most striking thing in the dip in punchouts. Norris is just eating innings until the younger crop is ready. I wouldn’t touch him in any league right now.

Wisler has enough potential to take a flier on him in deep leagues, but I wouldn’t use a pick on him anywhere else. Keep an eye on how he does though. He could wind up helping your team.

Chacin has been a wreck this spring. That will keep him confined to deep leagues, as it should. However, as you can see by last year’s stats, if he can put it together, he can be an asset. Keep an eye on how he progresses this year.

Foltynewicz struggled last year. He was never a top prospect, and I would caution against using him in deep leagues. He will get no run support, and wont really help your stats.

Vizcaino has the ability to be a lock down closer if he can harness his ability. He had really good numbers last year. I would take him at the top of the third tier of closers. The only reason he falls back there is because he likely will not have many save opportunities this year.

Next: What Prospects Are Worth Watching?

Mar 7, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Blair (76) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

We will take a look at a few prospects that could crack the majors for the Braves this year, and in what type of leagues you should be looking for them in. The Braves are rebuilding, so there are plenty! Let’s get started!

Aaron Blair, RHP: Blair should have plenty of chances to crack the starting rotation this season. Most of it is shaky at best. Blair was a stellar 7-2 with a 3.16 ERA in the heavy hitting Pacific Coast League last year. He looks to be ready for the major leagues, and will be up fairly early in the 2016 season. When he gets called up, he could be worth a look in deep leagues.

Tyrell Jenkins, RHP: Jenkins seems to be over the injury issues that plagued him early in his pro career. He posted a 3.19 ERA last season between AA and AAA, and is close to being ready for the majors. The back of the Braves’ rotation is far from a sure thing, so if someone falters, he or Blair will get the call. It will likely depend on who is pitching better at AAA at the time.

Manny Banuelos, LHP: If the name sounds familiar, it should. He was a top Yankee prospect before Tommy John surgery in 2012. He went 1-5 with a 5.13 ERA in seven starts with the Braves last year. He will likely get a little more time at AAA this year, but he could beat both Blair and Jenkins to the majors. How the three fare early on will play a huge role into when they get called up. With Chacin having an awful spring, one of them may start the season in Atlanta.

Mallex Smith, OF: Smith has top-notch speed. He swiped 57 bases in the minors last year and hit .306 to become the Braves’ minor league player of the year. He may be ready now, but the Braves aren’t going to rush him. If he does get called up, he is worth a look in all leagues because of his game changing speed.

John Gant, RHP: Gant will never wow you with his stuff, but he does get outs. Enough outs to accelerate his path to the majors. He will likely only be worth a look in deeper leagues once he makes the jump because of his low strikeout totals, but he should be able to help the ERA and WHIP numbers.

Next: Can Alfred Morris Bounce Back?

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