BY THE NUMBERS
122Home runs hit by the Braves in 2016, the lowest total in the National League and 103 fewer than league leader St. Louis.5The Braves’ ranking in NL runs scored after the All-Star break, just eight runs out of the No. 2 spot. Atlanta ranked last in runs prior to the break.15Braves expected to make the roster for opening day who are 30 years or older, making the team one of baseball’s oldest.7Braves ranked among MLB.com’s top 100 prospects, including starting shortstop Dansby Swanson.
A look at the key questions facing the Atlanta Braves as they open a new era at SunTrust Park:
1. What will it take for the Braves to contend this season?
First of all, this team was put together to make the first season at its new stadium an entertaining one. Call it a bridge to the future or whatever, but if the Braves somehow contend, it would be one of the biggest stories in baseball this year.
Assuming the lineup will produce more like it did in the second half of last season (most experts say it won't come close), it all boils down to pitching. Forty-something pitchers Bartolo Colon and R.A. Dickey need to do more than eat innings, with each winning at least 12 games. Julio Teheran needs to win his share of battles with other aces. Jaime Garcia needs to stay healthy. Mike Foltynewicz needs to continue his development. And don't forget the bullpen, which is supposed to be a strength, has to be solid, from closer Jim Johnson on down.
If all of those things work out, the Braves have a shot at battling the Mets, Pirates and Giants for a wild-card spot. Stranger things have happened.
2. Which offseason addition will have the biggest impact?
In a literal sense that would be the Round Man on the Mound - Colon - but while "Big Sexy" is likely to play a major role in any success the Braves might have this season, there is another addition who could make the bigger long-term difference for the franchise.
Roger McDowell was not brought back after 11 seasons as pitching coach, and though no one reason was given, it was obvious the team wasn't pleased with the growth of young pitchers in the big leagues the past couple of seasons.
The future of this team lies in its prospects on the mound, so new pitching coach Chuck Hernandez needs to succeed where McDowell failed with guys such as Matt Wisler, Aaron Blair, Manny Banuelos, etc. Hernandez's advantage is that he spent last year as the coordinator for pitching in the minor leagues, so he already knows what he's working with.
3. How will the new ballpark play?
The plan, according to GM John Coppolella, was to have SunTrust Park play as neutral as possible while also giving it some unique features. The dimensions are fairly similar to Turner Field, though the distance to the right field wall is shorter, 375 feet compared to 390. That, however, is balanced by a 16-foot high wall. The wall in left field is just six feet high and almost nine feet in left-center through center field, and the distances are similar on those areas to Turner Field. A few more home runs are likely at the new park.
For the pitchers, though, there is a bit more foul territory, which should provide for a few more easy outs.
4. Can we expect a number of the team's elite prospects to play in the majors this season?
There are a handful of players in the Braves' top-ranked farm system who more than likely will spend time in Atlanta this season, led by top prospect Ozzie Albies.
The 20-year-old former shortstop is the heir apparent at second base, and if not for a fractured elbow, the switch hitter could have been the starter on opening day. He has elite speed, a great glove and makes consistent contact, so it's just a matter of time before he's entrenched to form one of the game's top keystone duos with shortstop Dansby Swanson.
The Braves love outfielder Ronald Acuna, who was a spring training star, but he's just 19 and won't be rushed. However, if Nick Markakis or Matt Kemp are dealt at the trade deadline, he could get a shot.
Among the slew of elite pitching prospects, the ones thought most ready are lefties Sean Newcomb and Max Fried. Each is 23 and has overcome early arm surgery, and both are major power pitchers.
5. Was last season's late offensive surge a sign of things to come or a fluke?
Lost in the Braves' 96-loss season was the fact they were a top-10 offensive team over the second half a year ago. The addition of Matt Kemp provided Freddie Freeman with protection and lengthened the lineup, while Ender Inciarte, Nick Markakis and newcomer Dansby Swanson all had strong finishes.
There are enough high on-base percentage guys at the top in Inciarte and Swanson to provide sluggers Freeman and Kemp with ample RBI opportunities, and it's tough to envision all those guys falling off too much. The key is going to be the bottom half of the lineup, where Markakis, Adonis Garcia, Brandon Phillips and Tyler Flowers will have to make pitchers pay when given the chance.
Most preseason analysis hasn't been kind to the team, listing the offense as bottom five in nearly every category, suggesting last year's surge was indeed a fluke. Health is going to be a huge key, because the bench lacks potent bats.