MLB Preview Day 2, Atlanta Braves

A strong sophomore season from OF Jason Heyward will be one of the main keys to Atlanta's success

 2010 Record- 91-71, 2nd place NL East, Lost to San Francisco in NLDS (3-1)

2010 Triple Crown Leaders- Omar Infante, .321 (3rd NL), Brian McCann, 21 HR (34rd NL), Brian McCann, 77 RBI (36th NL), Tim Hudson, 17 wins (4th NL), Tim Hudson, 2.83 ERA (6th NL), Tommy Hanson, 173 K (17th NL)

Key Additions: Scott Linebrink (RHP), George Sherill (LHP), Dan Uggla (2B)

Key Losses: Rick Ankiel (OF), Melky Cabrera (OF), Matt Diaz (OF), Michael Dunn (LHP), Kyle Farnsworth (RHP), Troy Glaus (1B), Omar Infante (IF), Derrek Lee (1B), Takashi Saito (RHP), Billy Wagner (LHP)

2011 Projected Record- 90-100 wins, 1st place NL East
Manager: Fredi Gonzalez (1st year)
Best Player- Jason Heyward
Best Pitcher- Tommy Hanson
Biggest Breakout Candidate- Craig Kimbrel
Biggest Potential Impact Rookie- Freddie Freeman

Projected Lineup/Projected Stats
Martin Prado, LF- .310/15 HR/75 RBI
Jason Heyward, RF- .290/25 HR/105 RBI
Chipper Jones, 3B- .265/14 HR/70 RBI
Dan Uggla, 2B- .265/35 HR/100 RBI
Brian McCann, C- .270/23 HR/80 RBI
Freddie Freeman, 1B- .275/20 HR/80 RBI
Nate McLouth, CF- .255/18 HR/60 RBI
Alex Gonzalez, SS- .250/10 HR/55 RBI

Projected Rotation/Projected Stats
Tim Hudson, RHP- 15-8, 3.30 ERA, 130 K
Tommy Hanson, RHP- 17-7, 3.05 ERA, 205 K
Derek Lowe, RHP- 14-10, 4.35 ERA, 125 K
Jair Jurrjens, RHP- 13-11, 3.95 ERA, 150 K
Mike Minor, LHP- 8-12, 4.90 ERA, 110 K
Craig Kimbrel, RHP- 2.45 ERA, 35 Saves

Team Outlook- This Atlanta Braves team is definitely not getting the respect it deserves, much of it being that they are overshadowed by the Philadelphia Phillies and that great rotation they have.  This team has a very solid lineup, a lineup that saw power added to it with the offseason acquisition of 2B Dan Uggla.  The rotation has some questions around it regarding the back of their rotation, but if Tim Hudson stays healthy, and young guns Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens deliver, they should be fine, especially with their bullpen, which I feel is one of the best pens in the NL.  Looking at this team overall, there should be no reason to be surprised if this team takes this division, and becomes the first team to finish ahead of Philly in the NL East standings since 2006.