WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Talking Chop User’s GuideTalking Chop PodcastAround the NL EastBaseball Analysis PrimerAtlanta Braves Spring Training Preview: OutfieldNew
Nolan Ryan Jersey ,22commentsA familiar group returns for another run in 2019.ESTShareTweetShareShareAtlanta Braves Spring Training Preview: OutfieldAdam Hagy-USA TODAY SportsThe Atlanta Braves’ outfield will have a similar look as Ronald Acuna Jr, Ender Inciarte and Nick Markakis return for the 2019 season. The only real question mark as far as the roster goes is whether or not Adam Duvall can bounce back and provide the team with some depth off the bench. The team is also bringing top prospects Cristian Pache and Drew Waters to camp so this will be a position group worth paying attention to for the next several weeks. LocksRonald Acua Jr. came into 2018 with a world of expectations and lived up to every single one of them capturing the Rookie of the Year award in the National League. It looks like he will be a fixture in Atlanta’s outfield for years to come. The Braves will benefit from a full year of Acua in 2018 and while it remains to be seen where he will hit in the order, he will be asked to carry a significant load offensively. He appears to be up for the task after finishing 2018 on a tear hitting .322/.403/.625 with 19 home runs over the final 68 games. Ender Inciarte will return to the Braves’ outfield in 2019 and perhaps to the top of the batting order. Brian Snitker is reportedly entertaining the idea of hitting Inciarte first again in 2019 while dropping Ronald Acuna down in the order. Inciarte put together an uneven 2018 season at the plate, struggling early on before finding his groove in the second half, which is something that’s not uncommon for him, as he’s had dramatic splits in this regard every year of his career except 2017. Inciarte put together a .241/.312/.337 line over the first 91 games. He had a BABIP of .269 during that span. That reverted back in the second half where he hit .302/.345./.448 over the final 65 games. He had a BABIP of .330 during that stretch. Inciarte’s real value though comes on defense where he has won three straight Gold Glove awards and remains one of the best defensive outfielders in the league. He further benefited from Atlanta’s improved positioning and defensive focus last season, and bounced back from a 2017 in which he posted a relatively down defensive year per DRS and UZR. (Though, it’s worth noting that his OAA and CPA have been eerily consistent at +21 and +5% in each of the last three years, so it wasn’t necessarily his own personal range that was the cause of a defensive slide in 2017.)Inciarte probably doesn’t belong at the top of any batting order but his value goes beyond his bat. He has emerged as a team leader and is the anchor for what should be one of the best defensive teams again this season. sustain that success but this was an area where many people were hoping to see an upgrade for this season. Fourth OutfielderOne of the biggest questions of the offseason will be the status of Adam Duvall whom the Braves acquired from the Cincinnati Reds prior to the trade deadline last season. The plan then was for Duvall to enter into a platoon situation with Ender Inciarte against left handed pitching. However, he struggled so bad after being acquired that his future with the club was left in question. Duvall hit just .205/.286/.399 with 15 home runs while with the Reds. He was just 7-for-53 in an Atlanta uniform. The Braves elected to tender him a contract and avoided arbitration agreeing on a $2.875 million deal that is non-guaranteed. If his struggles continue during the spring, Atlanta could look for help elsewhere. Non-Roster InviteesThe Braves will also bring top outfield prospects Cristian Pache and Drew Waters along with 2018 draft pick Greyson Jenista to camp as non-roster invitees. Pache saw time in camp last season and has seen his stock rise. There are few questions in regards to his defense but he must continue to make strides at the plate. Pache is expected to begin the season at Double-A but we could hear his name mentioned as an outfield option in 2020. Similarly, Waters put together a great season in A-ball for forRome and then finished the year at High-A Florida. His has started to garner praise among Top 100 lists and could move up even further with another strong season. Jenista was a second round pick in 2018 who put up good numbers at Rome before struggling in a small sample at High-A Florida. He’s a college bat that should be able to adjust quickly and could be an option sometime in 2021. Atlanta will also bring veterans Ryan LaMarre and Rafael Ortega to camp. LaMarre split the 2018 season between the White Sox and the Twins. He has appeared in 105 games at the major league level while hitting .238/.283/.322 for five different organizations. Ortega appeared in 41 games with the Marlins last season where he hit .236/.291/.286 in 143 plate appearances. A final note here is that third baseman Austin Riley and Johan Camargo have been mentioned in interviews as taking reps in the outfield in Spring Training. They represent another option, though not one that will likely be handed the reins on Opening Day. Sean Newcomb may be pitching for a rotation spot Sunday!"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Talking Chop User’s GuideTalking Chop PodcastAround the NL EastBaseball Analysis PrimerBraves look to rebound in rubber match vs MarlinsNew,40commentsSean Newcomb may be pitching for a rotation spot Sunday!EDTShareTweetShareShareBraves look to rebound in rubber match vs MarlinsBrett Davis-USA TODAY Sports“They’re so hell-bent on giving
http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-justin-verlander-jersey , walking a wireConvinced its not living if you stand outside the fire.”Garth Brooks is by far my favorite musician of all time. One of my favorite songs of his is “Standing Outside the Fire”. The lyrics above are from that song, and I feel are very applicable to the Braves. If Tiger Woods has become the official meme, then these words should be the official theme. The Braves pitching staff is fully intent on giving Hotlanta a new meaning. In 2018, The Braves were third in the league for most games giving up 5 walks or more, with 53. In 2019, they are averaging five walks a game. For individual pitchers, Julio Teheran and Sean Newcomb were first and third amongst starters in number of starts giving up three walks or morein 2018. In their three combined starts this year, they have issued nine total walks. The Braves are consistently playing with fire, and have been burned multiple times already this year. Despite the horrid control issues to start the season, the Braves have had some very needed and encouraging results over the past three games. Max Fried, Kevin Gausman, and Kyle Wright have combined for 19 IP, a 16/3 K/BB ratio, 8 hits allowed
Carlos Lee Jersey , and only 2 runs. Combined with Folty returning in the next week, these dominant starts may have put a few rotation spots up for grabs, including Newcomb’s.As a result, Newcomb needs a solid start on Sunday. Furthermore, the Braves need it as well. Despite 3 straight games of the starters going 6 or more innings, the bullpen has still given up 6 runs in that stretch. They were 10 feet away from that being 10 runs on StarlinCastro’s deep fly ball to end the game with the bases loaded Friday night. The last thing the Braves need is for Newcomb to struggle early in the game and getting into a high pitch count early. Unfortunately, Newcomb likely will not be working in the most ideal conditions to be productive. A hamstring injury has placed Brian McCann on the IL. A triple digit heater to the hand has cast doubt on Tyler Flowers’s ability to play. As a result, Alex Jackson may get his first start Sunday at catcher in the major leagues. And while Jackson has good potential at the plate, he is still a work in progress behind it. Newcomb will need to be on top of his game with a rookie catcher potentially making his debut.Thankfully, there is a silver lining.The Braves will be facing a southpaw in the person of Caleb Smith on Sunday. This obviously is a positive development with the Braves overwhelming success against left-handers since the beginning of 2018. The ironic thing is that in Smith’s one career start against Atlanta last year, it was left-handed Braves’ hitters who had the most success. Freddie Freeman had five hits while Ender Inciarte contributed 3 of his own. Ozzie Albies may have had his best game so far in the big leagues that day as well, earning a career high 5 RBIS. As mentioned above, there should be no doubt this is a big start for Sean Newcomb. With the Braves drastically needing another deep performance from a starter, Newcomb needs to perform well against one of the weaker lineups in baseball. Furthermore
http://www.astrosfanproshop.com/authentic-justin-verlander-jersey , coming off some unlucky hard-hit outs on Saturday night, the Braves’ hitters should have plenty of motivation to do some damage. Even if Newcomb struggles, the offense should find enough success to pull off the win. BOLD PREDICTION: Alex Jackson’s first hit is for extra bases, and the Braves hit multiple homers. Game InfoGame Date/Time: SundayLocation: SunTrust Park, Atlanta, Georgia, April 7th, 1:20 PM ESTTV: Fox Sports SouthStreaming: MLB.tvRadio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, Rock 100.5, Braves Radio Network
