If 2016 was the tear-down season and 2017 was the transition year, what does that make 2018 for the Atlanta Braves?
Most believe it's too early for them to contend, but some of their fans are starting to get frustrated with the rebuilding process. As promised, though, some of the club's elite prospects are starting to make their marks, with many more on the way. This is, the Braves hope, the beginning of something big.
With that in mind, here's a position-by-position look at this year's Atlanta Braves.
KEY BRAVES PLAYERS BY POSITION
CATCHER
Who's in: Tyler Flowers/Kurt Suzuki
Last season: These two quietly put up All-Star numbers for the position, combining for 31 home runs and 99 RBIs in 593 at-bats as they nearly equally split playing time. Each is also at least adequate defensively and should be able to hold down the fort for at least one more season.
2018 outlook: Anything close to last year's numbers would be great, though most prognosticators see the totals declining more to the norm. Still, as long as one of the two has a decent season at the plate, the team will be on par with most National League clubs at the position. There is also good depth with the signing of veterans Chris Stewart and Rob Brantly.
Who's next: The club hopes Austin Jackson will ascend to the starting spot within a couple of seasons, and hopefully by 2019. The 22-year-old, acquired from the Seattle Mariners prior to last season, has terrific power. He hit .267 a year ago with 19 home runs while also striking out on just under a third of his at-bats. Brett Cumberland is also part of any future plans.
FIRST BASE
Who's in: Freddie Freeman
Last season: Despite missing time with a wrist injury, something which also sapped some of the veteran left-hander's power, Freeman batted .307 with 28 homers and 71 RBIs and a team-best .403 on-base percentage. The low RBIs total and increased walk rate prove teams did not fear those hitting behind him.
2018 outlook: He's healthy and ready to resume what most people believe could be a run at MVP honors. If the lineup can provide some protection, then a return of elite numbers - 35-plus homers, 100-plus RBIs and runs - are easily within reach. If he remains healthy, and with Ender Inciarte and Ozzie Albies hitting in front of him, there is much reason for optimism.
Who's next: There are only a few positions the Braves call set for the forseable future, but this is one.
SECOND BASE
Who's in: Ozzie Albies
Last season: To say the former No. 1 Braves prospect had a rousing debut would be an understatement. Albies entered the big leagues to criticism that he was too small (5-foot-9, 160 pounds) and struck out too much to fulfill his promise. All he did in 217 Atlanta at-bats was hit .286 with six homers, 28 RBIs, five triples, nine doubles and eight stolen bases while also showing great infield range.
2018 outlook: It's impossible to project Albies' first full season without going back a year and looking at Dansby Swanson's performance. He, too, wowed baseball with a terrific debut (in 2016) after being the team's top prospect. Swanson, though, fell off deeply at the plate and spent time in the minors last summer. Could the same fate befall Albies? He does strike out too often for a player his size, but his elite speed should help keep the on-base percentage up.
Who's next: As long as the production doesn't plummet and the defense stays steady, the only way he moves off second base is if Swanson can't hold down shortstop.
SHORTSTOP
Who's in: Dansby Swanson
Last season: The former No. 1 overall draft pick got off to a miserable start, resulting in a brief demotion to Triple-A and losing playing time when he came back. Though he hit better down the stretch, Swanson finished the season with a .232 average, six homers, 23 doubles and 51 RBIs. Making consistent contact was the main problem, as shown by his 120 strikeouts.
2018 outlook: The Braves don't expect the .300 average he managed in 32 games in 2016, but this is a lineup that can't overcome another season like he had last year. Reports in spring training have said all the right things about hard work and a great attitude, but he has not hit well. If he cuts down on the strikeouts, there's no reason he can't get back to hitting better than .260 and give the bottom of the lineup some pop.
Who's next: The loss of major prospect Kevin Maitan in the Braves' international signing scandal hurt the depth here, but he would still have been three or four years away. So is 19-year-old Derian Cruz, listed as the team's No. 20 prospect. Albies is the clear choice if Swanson is replaced and could end up at short even if Swanson returns to form, depending on the latter's glove work.
THIRD BASE
Who's in: Johan Camargo
Last season: He was perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the season before Albies arrived, taking over for Adonis Garcia and showing his versatility by also playing shortstop and second base and committing only four errors in nearly 200 chances. That he also hit .299 with 21 doubles, 30 runs scored and 27 RBIs was a bonus.
2018 outlook: The Braves must not believe Camargo can sustain his 2017 level of play after offseason rumors had them checking in on trade possibilities and free agents for the hot corner. However, it's his job to lose right now, even though an injury slowed him this spring and he will start the season on the disabled list. The team would love more power out of the position, but if Camargo can hit anywhere near .280 and maintain elite defense, there's a chance he keeps the job.
Who's next: There is actually good depth with former Calhoun High School star Charlie Culberson and prospect Rio Ruiz, but the long-term hope for the position lies in 6-3, 220-pound 20-year-old Austin Riley. The team's No. 8 prospect, and No. 98 on the MLB.com's top 100 list, he has the power the club craves and showed improved plate discipline late in 2017. He's expected to arrive in 2019.
LEFT FIELD
Who's in: Lane Adams/Preston Tucker
Last season: Adams, a speedy leadoff type, was a surprise last season, batting .275 with 20 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in just 109 at-bats. He also, though, struck out a whopping 37 times. Tucker, acquired from the World Series champion Houston Astros in the offseason, hit just .164 in 134 at-bats in the majors last year while dealing with an injury. The year before he hit 13 homers in 300 at-bats for the Astros and has hit well this spring.
2018 outlook: Thankfully for the team, Matt Kemp and his bad hamstrings are in Los Angeles after an offseason trade. Any positional analysis here has to consider the arrival of uber prospect Ronald Acuna early in the season, perhaps by mid-April. The two mentioned above will provide outfield depth unless Acuna struggles. The only negative so far is his propensity for striking out, including 144 last year.
Who's next: Without a doubt the most exciting story for Braves fans this spring has been the play of Acuna, baseball's No. 2 prospect and as certain of a rising star the organization has had since Chipper Jones or Andruw Jones. Acuna, 20, shined at three levels of the minors, hitting a combined .325 with 21 homers, 82 RBIs, 31 doubles and 44 stolen bases. He followed that up by hitting .432 with four homers and 11 RBIs before being (temporarily) sent down. He will likely settle in in right field eventually.
CENTER FIELD
Who's in: Ender Inciarte
Last season: Inciarte cemented his All-Star status with a great all-around season, hitting .304 with 201 hits, 93 runs scored, 21 stolen bases, 11 homers and 57 RBIs while also winning a Gold Glove. He's clearly one of the game's top center fielders, and his ability to perform night in and night out on a sub-.500 team was one of the season's major highlights.
2018 outlook: The Braves will gladly take a repeat of 2017, and barring injury, there's little reason to believe Inciarte won't at least come close. There is talk that he might move down the order if Albies can assume the leadoff spot, giving the Braves a more productive bat in RBI situations. On a team that seriously lacks power, Inciarte might be more valuable hitting fifth or sixth.
Who's next: Barring injury or trade, this is Inciarte's spot. He is signed through the 2022 season and is just 27. He has been mentioned in trade rumors, though, and with Acuna certainly capable of manning center and prospect Cristian Pache potentially ready by 2020, Inciarte could net a sizeable return if put on the market.
RIGHT FIELD
Who's in: Nick Markakis
Last season: The 34-year old had a steady, if not great, season, hitting .275 with eight homers, 76 RBIs, 76 runs scored and a .354 on-base percentage. His outfield play improved from 2016, though he still doesn't possess an ideal arm for right field.
2018 outlook: The Braves would love more power from the position, though there seems little chance it will happen with Markakis. It's clear the team would love to find a trade partner at some point in the season, and if so this would likely become Acuna's position. If Markakis remains the starter, there's no reason to believe he won't accumulate numbers similar to last season.
Who's next: The Braves tried to acquire Christian Yelich when the Miami Marlins held their fire sale this offseason, but Atlanta was not willing to include Acuna in any discussions. If Acuna and Inciarte are two of the team's outfield cornerstones, who is the next one? Pache, 19, would seem the favorite, though he's not expected to show much power. Dustin Peterson, 23, had a lost 2017 season to injury, but he's got power. Prospects Drew Waters and Isranel Wilson are, like Pache, probably two to three years from contributing.
ROTATION
Who's in: Julio Teheran, Brandon McCarthy, Mike Foltynewicz, Sean Newcomb, Luiz Gohara
Last season: Teheran had a very un-ace-like performance, going 11-13 with a 4.49 ERA and allowing 31 homers in 188 innings pitched while walking 72 with 151 strikeouts. McCarthy, acquired from the Dodgers, was 6-4 as a part-time starter, with a 3.98 ERA in 92 innings. Foltynewicz had some terrific outings and some not-so-terrific ones, posting a 10-13 mark and 4.79 ERA, while Newcomb was just 4-9 with a 4.32 ERA, but he struck out 108 batters in 100 innings. Gohara was 1-3 with a 4.91 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 29 innings after a late call-up.
2018 outlook: The "good" Julio Teheran has shown up this spring, something the Braves are deeply counting on for two reasons. One, obviously, is the team needs an actual ace if a step forward is to be made. Two, if he pitches well and the Braves are not in playoff contention by late summer, there's a better chance he gets traded. McCarthy, who has also pitched well this spring, is another trade candidate. However, if the team gets in the playoff hunt, he could well stick around and produce double-digit wins. The young guys - Foltynewicz, Newcomb and Gohara (who will start the season on the disabled list but should be up by late April) - just need to continue to develop, which means harnessing control. There are plenty of options if any struggle, including veterans Scott Kazmir and Anibel Sanchez, as well as youngsters Aaron Blair, Max Fried, Lucas Sims or Matt Wisler.
Who's next: Counting Gohara, the Braves have 12 pitchers among their top 20 prospects, including six who rank inside baseball's top 100. Last year's top pick, Kyle Wright out of Vanderbilt, has the arm and makeup to get to Atlanta this year, though the team will no doubt limit his innings. Some feel Mike Soroka, who pitches well beyond his 20 years, is ready for the bigs, while recent draftees Ian Anderson, Kolby Allard, Max Fried and Joey Wentz have all shown major promise. It wouldn't be a stretch to say the team's five starters in 2020 will each be younger than 25.
BULLPEN
Who's in: Closer Aroldys Vizcaino. Set-up men Rex Brothers, Sam Freeman, A.J. Minter, Jose Ramirez, Dan Winkler.
Last season: After taking over for the flamed-out Jim Johnson, Vizcaino was solid in the closer role, finishing with 14 saves in 17 chances and allowing only 42 hits in 57 innings. The only downside were the seven home runs and 21 walks he surrendered. Ramirez had a similar season, allowing only 45 hits in 62 innings, but nine of those hits were homers and he walked 29. Winkler was a pleasant surprise, allowing only seven hits in 14 innings with 18 strikeouts, but the real find was Minter. The 24-year-old struck out 26 batters in 15 innings with only two walks, the kind of numbers teams crave for the back end of the bullpen.
2018 outlook: This could be the strength of the team after being a huge problem for the first half last season. Minter, Ramirez, Vizcaino and Winkler have the power arms to get out of jams. There is also the chance that any of the above-mentioned prospects could spend some time in Atlanta's bullpen, as likely will veterans Kazmir and Rex Brothers. There was some mention of free agent closer Greg Holland in Atlanta, but that can happen only at the right price.
Who's next: There is no set progression here, though most believe the closer's job will eventually belong to Minter. The wild card, though, is the potential move of starting pitching prospects to the bullpen, but that only happens if the rotation is stocked.