Who's in, who's out in the outfield

Opening thoughts: With spring training under way, there is no doubt that the Braves are looking at a fresh start. The Braves have a new look to their roster this year, especially with pitching.

Several newcomers have arrived, including Derek Lowe, Javier Vasquez (starting pitchers). A couple of veterans, including John Smoltz and Mark Texiera are gone. The injured are healing and making their way back (closer Mike Gonzalez, reliever Peter Moylan and left fielder Matt Diaz).

All signs point to a turnaround for the upcoming season. But some of last year's issues still loom.

Here is part of one of an ongoing Braves report, previewing the club in the weeks before the season starts.

Seven players, three spots and a platoon: a look at the outfield
Last season, the Braves outfield hit for combined 27 homeruns, the worst in MLB. What's in store for this season.

The center field spot is virtually open, as three have emerged as the top candidates who are vying it out for the top spot. They are, Josh Anderson, Gregor Blaco and Jordon Shafter. Blaco could fill the need for a leadoff hitter if he plays. He possesses speed, a quality lacking in the lineup. However, last season in 144 games played he hit only .251. However, he did lead the team with 13 stolen bases. Anderson appears to be the favored player with some major league experience from last year. That leaves top prospect Shafer. This is tough because it will come down to who performs when it matters most. Unfortunately, this method may prove to take a good chunk of the first part of the season. My belief, Shafer will be the breakout player of the year. While its unlikely he will start the season as the starter, I belive that down the stretch he will be the go-to guy. Regardless, all three of these guys will be on tap all season to fill holes when needed.

Left field also seems up for grabs despite the signing of Garrett Anderson. Matt Diaz is returning, and the Braves seem to be leaning toward a platoon for this position. The newest Brave, veteran Garrett Anderson, a lifetime Angel, will platoon this spot with Diaz.


Further, Anderson could fill the need for a strong clean-up hitter against right-handed pitching. The problem - he's is a bit of liability considering his age and injury history. The good news- he probably won't play everyday, and even if he AND Diaz both end up injured, there are the three aforementioned outfielders (Anderson, Blanco and Shafer, along with Brandon Jones) to fill the spot. The problem I see wiht both center and left is consistancy. Can the Braves find a plan, with the right outfielders that also contribute and fill holes in the batting order? Consistancy is not only key in the performance of the players, but also in the everyday lineup. While I support the 'platoon' philosophy, I think the Braves need a solid three in the outfield that go out there 90% percent of the time without changing the lineup around every day. This goes the same in the batting order. These guys need to get used to hitting before and after the same guy almost every day, and sharing the green with the same 2 other outfielders every day. Assuming Diaz plays quite a bit, he needs to step it up at the plate. Last year in 135 at-bats, he hit .244 in 43 games played with a .264 on-base-percentage. Backup Brandon Jones hit .267 with a .312 on-base-percentage in 116 at-bats in 41 games. I would like to see Diaz a little closer to .280. Brandon Jones however, impressed me last year and went somewhat underrated. Maybe this year he can get a change to clutch and show his stuff, and perhaps earn a more permanant spot.

This leaves up with the mysterious Jeff Franceour in right field. Let me preface this with a short story. I was at the September 2004 game when Franceour made his major league debut against the Cubs. He was called up with a lot of hype. He went 0-3 and then hit a homerun in the eight, his first in the majors. I felt like a part of Braves history that night. That being said, I was very upset to see Fraceour's, or as Bobby calls him, Frenchy, fall from grace, slowly and painfully last season. With 599 at-bats, the most on the Braves, he hit a terrible .239 with a .294 OBP and 0 stolen bases. He had 111 strikeouts, a sure sign of his eager youth and inability to 'wait for his pitch.'
Pitchers had him nailed before he even stepped up to the plate, knowing exactly which pitch he just 'couldn't lay off of. He looked weak both as an athlete and as a player. Mentally, he seemed discouraged and broken. Even a stint back in the minors couldn't bring him back to life. This season, a lot will be expected of Frenchy. We know he can hit, we've seen him do it. One thing's for sure, he has a helluva an arm. He can nail a guy trying to take home with a perfect rocket from deep right, into the glove of his longtime friend and Parkview High School teammate, Brian McCann. But Frenchy must pull it together, because if he can't do it, there is someone who can. I am sure that Anderson, Blano, Jones and Shafer would jump at the chance to play right field if they don't earn a spot in left or center. And, Bobby wouldn't hesitate (well he might) to put in one of the other guys even though they aren't right fielders by trade.