State of the Braves

The Atlanta Braves MLB team is the descendent of the Boston Braves, an original NL club.  The Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee and then later to Atlanta where they have remained since 1966.

Ownership:

The Braves are currently owned by Liberty Media, a company which has bought and sold multiple media companies but currently has 3 divisions:  The Braves, Sirius XM and Formula 1.  I am not aware of any outstanding positive or negative things Liberty has done in relationship to the Braves except for the questionable need to build a new stadium in the suburbs not all that long after they had moved into Turner Field.

Grade B

Management:

Alex Anthopolous is a widely respected GM who previously GM'd for the Toronto Blue Jays.  He took after the organization was punished heavily for cheating in the international player market under previous GM John Coppolella.

Manager Brian Snitker has been highly successful since taking over for Fredi Gonzalez after the 2016 season.  Snitker won NL Manager of the Year in 2018 and Sporting News Manager of the Year in 2018 and 2019.

Grade A.

Current Roster:

Starting Eight:  Travis d'Arnaud C, Freddie Freeman 1B, Ozzie Albies 2B, Johan Camargo 3B, Dansby Swanson SS, Marcell Ozuna LF, Ender Inciarte CF, Ronald Acuna Jr. RF.

Bench:  Tyler Flowers C, Adeiny Hechavarria IF, Austin Riley IF, Adam Duvall OF, Nick Markakis OF.

Starting Rotation:  Mike Soroka RHP, Mike Foltynewicz RHP, Max Fried LHP, Cole Hamels LHP, Felix Hernandez RHP.

Bullpen:  Mark Melancon RHP(Closer), Will Smith LHP, Shane Greene RHP, Luke Jackson RHP, Darren O'Day RHP, Chris Rusin LHP.

There is lots of talent here.  Ronald Acuna Jr is already one of the top 5 players in the game and came this close to a 40-40 season.  Freddie Freeman is in the conversation for best hitter in the game.  The Braves appear set in the middle infield for years to come.  The pitching is more iffy.  Will the greybeards at the back of the rotation buy time for more of their young pitchers like Kyle Wright develop?  Melancon is obviously a shaky Closer.  Is Will Smith going to have to move back into the Closer role?

Grade B+

Christian Pache OF and Drew Waters OF are the top two prospects.  Both should by in the Braves OF with Ronald Acuna by 2021.  #'s 3 and 4, Ian Anderson and Kyle Wright, both have high ceilings but need to break through.  Last year's first rounder, Shea Langeliers C, is #5, Bryse Wilson RHP is #6 and Braden Shewmake SS is #7. 

Grade B+