New York Mets’ Travis d’Arnaud (7) is unable to beat the throw to Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, left, and is forced out in the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)When John Hart was asked in late 2014 to lead the Atlanta Braves into a new era and was given free reign to do so, the veteran big league front office man hit the ground running.
In one of the most active years of his career, which culminated with him somewhat stepping aside as whiz kid John Coppolella became the team’s general manager last fall, Hart restocked a barren farm system. The Braves hope it was enough to put them on a path back to greatness.
Only three regulars who started last season are expected to do so this year. Among the departed are fan favorites Andrelton Simmons and last year’s workhorse on the mound, Shelby Miller. Also gone are Chris Johnson, Jonny Gomes, Christian Bethancourt and a slew of others.
In their place are a mix of veterans and youngsters, with most of the latter likely to never play a game at Turner Field. Instead, what is now ranked as baseball’s best farm system will probably start sending prospects into the team’s new SunTrust Park in suburban Cobb County next year.
For now, here’s the plan for 2016: