The farm system restocked by a flurry of trades, the future looks bright for the Atlanta Braves.
The present, though, is another story.
The team won just 67 games a year ago, going a dismal 25-53 after a respectable start, opens spring training with most predicting little if any improvement this season after winter deals that sent away Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons and starter Shelby Miller.
The Braves invited 27 non-roster players to camp, a good number of them veteran free-agent pitchers hoping to fill gaps until the team’s rebuild is complete in 2017 or, more likely, 2018.
Atlanta did very well in the Miller trade, getting shortstop prospect Dansby Swanson – the top overall draft pick in 2015 – as well as center fielder Ender Inciarte and pitching prospect Aaron Blair.
But Swanson won’t be a help this season and neither will be most of the young players that have elevated the Braves from the bottom of the prospect rankings to the top.
Unlike last year, the team has made little claim that it can retool and contend at the same time.
General manager John Coppolella, though, continues his positive spin, although his comments are telling.
“One of the things I’m so excited about seeing in this camp is which of the young players take the biggest step forward,” he said.
Certainly the opportunity will be there with plenty of open spots to fill.
The rotation, where Julio Teheran is the only proven starter, and the bullpen, where Jason Grilli is coming off a torn Achilles’ tendon, are both works in progress.
The offense is also a question mark. Even if first baseman Freddie Freeman, bothered by a wrist injury last year, has a banner season, is there anyone behind him to help drive in runs?
The Braves scored the fewest runs in the majors last season.
President of baseball operations John Hart and Coppolella made 10 major trades from November 2014 through the 2015 season, then pulled off two more big deals this winter.
Originally, the reboot was said to have the Braves ready for the debut of their new suburban stadium in 2017. As the dealing continued, now it looks more like contention in 2018.
“I feel so much better about where we are now than I did a year ago,” Coppolella said. “A lot of our best prospects are close.”
But when will the breakthrough come for those players and the team? “I don’t want to put a timetable on it,” the GM said.
POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH: 2B Jace Peterson needs a good spring to avoid splitting time with veteran INF Gordon Beckham, signed as a free agent. Peterson, acquired before last season from the Padres, started well at the plate in his first regular duty, but struggled in the second half as he played through a torn tendon in his right thumb.
ROOKIE WATCH: RHP Aaron Blair, acquired from the Diamondbacks as part of the Shelby Miller trade, can earn a spot in the starting rotation with an impressing spring. Blair, 23, was a combined 13-5 with a 2.92 ERA in Double-A and Triple-A a season ago, showing three above average pitches. He was the 41st overall pick in the 2013 draft out of Marshall University.
COMEBACK TRAIL: RHP Kyle Kendrick may have the best chance to win a starting spot from among the veterans signed to minor league deals with spring training invitations. Kendrick, 31, was 7-13 with a 6.32 ERA in 27 starts for the Rockies last year, but didn’t pitch badly away from Colorado and is 5-1 with a 2.86 ERA lifetime in Atlanta. He has made 212 major league starts and has an 81-81 career record.
PLAYER NOTES:
–RHP Mike Foltynewicz will be behind in spring training and isn’t likely to be ready for the start of the season after having 2015 end early because of a blood clot that was slow to be diagnosed. “It was a life-threatening injury, so it was kind of scary to go through,” said Foltynewicz, who had part of a rib removed. He was used as both a starter and reliever last year, with the bullpen being his likely spot to begin this season.
–RHP Jason Grilli reported to camp ready to reclaim his closer’s role after having his 2015 season end on July 11 when he ruptured his left Achilles’ tendon running to cover first base. Grilli, 39, converted 24 of 26 save opportunities and had a 2.67 ERA last season before he was hurt. He threw four bullpen sessions prior to camp and said he had no issues with his leg.
–3B Adonis Garcia hit 10 homers in 198 plate appearances as a 30-year-old rookie last season and then the Cuban further intrigued the Braves by hitting .370 over 36 games in Venezuela this winter with three homers and an OPS of .948. Garcia had his struggles defensively at times last season, but showed improve in Venezuela.
–SS Dansby Swanson, the Braves’ top-rated prospect, reported to camp with the pitchers and catchers, showing his eagerness to get started with his new organization. “It’s good to meet everyone,” said Swanson, an Atlanta-area native who was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft last June by Arizona. “Just being down here and officially being able to wear a Braves uniform is pretty sweet.” The Vanderbilt All-American has just 99 plate appearances in the minors and will likely start this season in Double-A.
QUOTE TO NOTE:
“I have no other expectation (than to be in bullpen on opening day). I’m going to go out and pitch and if they see something different, that’s their prerogative.” – RHP Jason Grilli, who suffered a ruptured Achilles’ tendon last July.