After a dissapointing National League Divisional Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Atlanta Braves will try to craft a new pathway to the promise land that is the World Series.
The biggest problem for the Braves this past offseason and spring training is that off the pitching staff injuries. New acquired Ervin Santana will make his debut during the second week of the new season. Mike Minor has recently been placed on the 15-day disabled list. Both Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy are coming off of Tommy John surgery and are currently on the 60-day disabled list. Reliever Corey Gearrin's injury isn't all certain as of yet, but it looks very serious. And lastly, along with Medlen and Beachy, Johnny Venters has also been place on the 60-day disabled list after suffering an injury in the previous season.
Considered by many as the should-be National League Most Valuable Player, first baseman Freddie Freeman is coming off the best season of his career and his first ever All-Star selection.
"I still think he can get even a little bit better," a scout said of Freeman. He had a great year and could have easily been the MVP. He's a 20-plus home-run guy, big RBI guy, hit well over .300, almost .320. Absolutely, I think he can grow. He had a hell of a year and he's an All-Star-caliber first baseman. He's a major core player, a good young player."
Here is the 2014 Atlanta Braves Opening Day roster:
- Starting Pitchers (5): Julio Teheran, Ervin Santana (*), Alex Wood, Aaron Harang and David Hale
- Relief Pitchers (8): Craig Kimbrel (CL), Luis Avilan, Jordan Walden, David Carpenter, Anthony Varvaro, Gus Schlosser, Ian Thomas and Ryan Buchter
- Catchers (3): Evan Gattis, Gerald Laird and Ryan Doumit
- Infielders (6): Freddie Freeman, Dan Uggla, Andrelton Simmons, Chris Johnson, Ramiro Pena and Tyler Pastornicky
- Outfielders (4): Jason Heyward, B.J. Upton, Justin Upton and Jordan Schafer
(*): Ervin Santana is expected to make Braves debut during the second week of the season.
This is what the 2014 Atlanta Braves Opening Day depth chart looks like:
- Rotation:
1. Julio Teheran
2. Ervin Santana*
3. Alex Wood
4. Aaron Harang
5. David Hale
- Bullpen:
Craig Kimbrel (CL)
Luis Avilan
Jordan Walden
David Carpenter
Anthony Varvaro
Gus Schlosser
Ian Thomas
Ryan Buchter
- Catcher:
Even Gattis
Gerald Laird
Ryan Doumit
- 1st Base:
Freddie Freeman
Ryan Doumit
- 2nd Base:
Dan Uggla
Ramiro Pena
Tyler Pastornicky
- Shortstop:
Andrelton Simmons
Ramiro Pena
Tyler Pastornicky
- 3rd Base:
Chris Johnson
Ramiro Pena
Tyler Pastornicky
- Right Field:
Jason Heyward
Jordan Schafer
Ryan Doumit
- Center Field:
B.J. Upton
Jordan Schafer
- Left Field:
Justin Upton
Jordan Schafer
Ryan Doumit
The biggest problem for the Braves this past offseason and spring training is that off the pitching staff injuries. New acquired Ervin Santana will make his debut during the second week of the new season. Mike Minor has recently been placed on the 15-day disabled list. Both Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy are coming off of Tommy John surgery and are currently on the 60-day disabled list. Reliever Corey Gearrin's injury isn't all certain as of yet, but it looks very serious. And lastly, along with Medlen and Beachy, Johnny Venters has also been place on the 60-day disabled list after suffering an injury in the previous season.
Considered by many as the should-be National League Most Valuable Player, first baseman Freddie Freeman is coming off the best season of his career and his first ever All-Star selection.
"I still think he can get even a little bit better," a scout said of Freeman. He had a great year and could have easily been the MVP. He's a 20-plus home-run guy, big RBI guy, hit well over .300, almost .320. Absolutely, I think he can grow. He had a hell of a year and he's an All-Star-caliber first baseman. He's a major core player, a good young player."
Here is the 2014 Atlanta Braves Opening Day roster:
- Starting Pitchers (5): Julio Teheran, Ervin Santana (*), Alex Wood, Aaron Harang and David Hale
- Relief Pitchers (8): Craig Kimbrel (CL), Luis Avilan, Jordan Walden, David Carpenter, Anthony Varvaro, Gus Schlosser, Ian Thomas and Ryan Buchter
- Catchers (3): Evan Gattis, Gerald Laird and Ryan Doumit
- Infielders (6): Freddie Freeman, Dan Uggla, Andrelton Simmons, Chris Johnson, Ramiro Pena and Tyler Pastornicky
- Outfielders (4): Jason Heyward, B.J. Upton, Justin Upton and Jordan Schafer
(*): Ervin Santana is expected to make Braves debut during the second week of the season.
This is what the 2014 Atlanta Braves Opening Day depth chart looks like:
- Rotation:
1. Julio Teheran
2. Ervin Santana*
3. Alex Wood
4. Aaron Harang
5. David Hale
- Bullpen:
Craig Kimbrel (CL)
Luis Avilan
Jordan Walden
David Carpenter
Anthony Varvaro
Gus Schlosser
Ian Thomas
Ryan Buchter
- Catcher:
Even Gattis
Gerald Laird
Ryan Doumit
- 1st Base:
Freddie Freeman
Ryan Doumit
- 2nd Base:
Dan Uggla
Ramiro Pena
Tyler Pastornicky
- Shortstop:
Andrelton Simmons
Ramiro Pena
Tyler Pastornicky
- 3rd Base:
Chris Johnson
Ramiro Pena
Tyler Pastornicky
- Right Field:
Jason Heyward
Jordan Schafer
Ryan Doumit
- Center Field:
B.J. Upton
Jordan Schafer
- Left Field:
Justin Upton
Jordan Schafer
Ryan Doumit