MLB Season Preview: Atlanta Braves

Both Atlanta and Boston suffered historic collapses last September, but unlike the Red Sox, the Braves stayed the course and chose to make no significant changes to their roster or front office.

Hey, remember this guy?

Offense: The Braves' lineup lacks a superstar. Instead, they've got solid hitters at almost every position. In center field, Michael Bourn has stolen 61 bases in two of the past three years. Second baseman Dan Uggla was one of the hottest hitters in the majors during the second half of 2011, finishing with at least 30 homers for the fifth straight season. Freddie Freeman had an excellent rookie year as a 22-year-old and is a rising star at first base. Brian McCann is the whole package behind the plate. Chipper Jones will start the season on the DL, but Martin Prado can fill in at third and play the outfield. Only shortstop looks to be a black hole after the departure of Alex Gonzalez. The X factor is Jason Heyward, who experienced a major sophomore slump last year. We know what he's capable of.

Craig Kimbrel struck out 127 hitters
last season. As a relief pitcher.

Pitching: Even after dumping Derek Lowe on the Indians, the Braves have one of baseball's best pitching staffs...but only if everyone is healthy. Tim Hudson isn't expected back until May following back surgery. Tommy Hanson has proven himself to be a true ace when he's on the mound but he's dealt with shoulder issues recently. And even if Jair Jurrjens is healthy, his 2011 ERA of 2.96 is going to experience some major regression to the mean. Atlanta's depth is truly remarkable, though. Brandon Beachy (10.6 K/9 ratio last year) and Mike Minor are two young, cost-controlled starters that have come up through the farm system. To start the year, the fifth starter will either be Randall Delgado, who impressed in a brief 2011 cameo, or Julio Teheran, one of the game's best pitching prospects. The bullpen is just as good. Closer Craig Kimbrel posted a dominant 14.9 K/9 ratio and 46 saves in his Rookie of the Year campaign, while his setup man Jonny Venters was equally unhittable (1.84 ERA). Kris Medlen and Eric O'Flaherty are two other excellent relief arms and Livan Hernandez is yet another depth option.

Brandon Beachy struck out 169 hitters
in just 141.2 innings last season.

Breakout Candidates: Trust the Braves when it comes to pitching development: Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor can be very good starters given full workloads. In the lineup, both Freeman and Heyward have technically 'broken out' already, but both are capable of taking the next step towards stardom.

3 Key Questions: Will Hudson, Hanson, and Jurrjens stay healthy? What will happen to the left side of the infield? And will Jason Heyward return to 2010 form, when he looked like a future MVP?

Best Case Scenario: Heyward is a stud, the top starters stay healthy and effective, the bullpen is dominant yet again, and the NL's most balanced club wins the East and goes to the World Series.

Worst Case Scenario: Heyward's slump continues, Hanson's shoulder explodes, Hudson's back implodes,  Kimbrel and Venters show the effects of heavy workloads, and the Braves lose out on a playoff spot to the pitching-rich Phillies and the revamped Marlins and Nationals.

Predicted Finish: The Braves were essentially a playoff team last year, and there's reason to expect bounce-back years from Heyward and Prado as well as healthier years from the top starters. The Braves will leapfrog the aging Phillies and win the NL East.