The Atlanta Braves offense was woefully mediocre in 2012. While the pitching staff was second to none, the offense flailed at times and struggled to get men on base.
In 2012, the Braves finished 21st in the majors with a .247 average, and 22nd in slugging at .389. No one hit 30 home runs, no one drove in 100 runners, no one had 200 hits. In fact, the team's leader in average, OBP, and hits, Martin Prado, is no longer on the team.
That brings us to the Braves' projected 2013 outfield. The big acquisitions for the Braves were the Upton brothers, in the hope they could provide some serious punch for this team when combined with returning Gold Glover Jason Heyward
B. J. Upton was signed away from Tampa to a five-year, $75 million deal to patrol center field, after a disappointing (for him) 2012 (.246 AVG, 28 HR, 78 RBI, 31 SB).
Justin Upton was acquired via trade from Arizona that netted the Braves 3B Chris Johnson in exchange for Prado. Justin has three years and $38.5 million on his contract to man left field for Atlanta. At 25 years old he is still on an upward path posting a .280 AVG, 17 HR, 67 RBI, and 18 SB in 2012-but also a scarily high 121 strikeouts.
In right, Jason Heyward returns to build upon his first three seasons. In 2012, Heyward hit .269 with a team-leading 27 homers along with 21 SB and 82 RBI - and a whopping 152 strikeouts.
The raves are going to have to hope that these three bring a lot of power to Turner Field - and not just a lot of hot air from high strikeout totals.
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