"ATLANTA BRAVES SPRING & SEASON OUTLOOK"

STARTING & RELIEF PITCHERS:

SP-- Tom Glavine
SP-- Tim Hudson
SP-- Mike Hampton
SP-- Chuck James
SP-- John Smoltz
P-- Buddy Carlyle (possible starter)
P-- Will Ohman
P-- Rafael Soriano
P-- Tyler Yates
P-- Mike Gonzalez
P-- Manny Acosta
P-- Jairo Cuevas
CL-- Mike Gonzalez

POSITIONS & UTILITY PLAYERS:

C-- Brian McCann
C-- Javy Lopez
1B-- Mark Teixeira
2B-- Kelly Johnson/Martin Prado
3B-- Chipper Jones
SS-- Willy Aybar/Omar Infante/Kelly Johnson/
OF-- Jeff Francoeur
OF-- Matt Diaz
OF-- Mark Kotsay
UT-- Omar Infante/Willy Aybar/Gregor Blanco/Scott Thorman/Yunel Escobar

RESERVES/ROLES:

The only real positions that are up for grabs, are at shortstop and maybe needing a veteran, extra outfielder. Javy Lopez is an adequate back-up for (All-star) Brian McCann, and he has also been working around the bag, at first base (to spell Teixiera). The surprise season of Kelly Johnson and steady play of Chipper Jones, has second and third base, nailed down. The shortstop position is far from done, Omar Infante, Willy Aybar, and Martin Prado will be vieing for playing time at short and backing up second and third base. There is plenty of flexibility in the field for the Braves, but only Scott Thorman has any big stick power. In the outfield, the Braves will miss Andrew Jones, but Matt Diaz, Kotsay and Francoeur are solid. To spell them, the pickings are slim, but they have rookies Josh Anderson and Brandon Jones to be with the "big club".


ROOKIES:

In the "impact rookie" section, the Braves have always had a stable of young talent. This year they have a handful of decent rookies and second year players, to start the season. Brandon Jones, Gregor Blanco, Josh Anderson should make the roster, and Jordan Schafer is a complete package and could be a September call up. Other possible rookie candidates, for the spring, include Prado, pitchers Manny Acosta and Jairo Cuevas (in relief). The Braves may not have a ton of talent, for the opening day roster (in the rookie category), but they still have plenty for September.



OVERALL OUTLOOK FOR SPRING:

The Atlanta Braves have a good outlook this year. Competing not only for the wild card, but also with the Phillies and Mets for the East title. They have veteran leadership and a mix of good young talent. Like the majority of teams, the pitching staff and veterans will allow this team to sink, or swim. If Hampton, Hudson and Glavine stay healthy and maybe reclaim a little gloss from their youth, Smoltz stays "Smoltz," and they get some solid closer work, then they will go far. They have the table setters and power production, to score three to six runs a game, at will. Finally, the reserves just need to be steady. The Braves players and staff may need to get a bat and possibly a couple of pitchers to make a finally run, but coming into the season, they do look like a wild card contender. However, they are still a notch below the Phillies and Mets, as of now.

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