January 25, 2013

Do the Braves Have the Best Outfield in Baseball?

By - Keith Smith

It's been a very active offseason for Atlanta Braves GM Frank Wren. After all, it takes a lot of work to build potentially the best outfield in baseball.

Photo by: Getty Images
After signing free agent B.J. Upton near the end of 2012, Wren completed a trade on Thursday for his brother, Justin (and third baseman Chris Johnson) with the Arizona Diamondbacks. If the newly-acquired Upton brothers, along with 3-year Brave holdover Jason Heyward, all live up to their potential, Atlanta may not just have the best outfield in baseball this year, but could have the best outfield in baseball for the next decade.

The elder Upton, B.J., is the oldest of the three, and he's only 28. If he can pull his batting average and on-base percentage up a bit, he could be the ideal leadoff hitter for the Braves. Over the past 5 seasons, he's stolen 195 bases while only once hitting above .250 and getting on base at a .350 clip during that time.

Imagine what he could do if he hit .280 with an OBP of .380?

Little brother Justin is only 25-years-old, but he's already been in the league for 6 seasons, which makes him a pretty experienced player. His career numbers are much better than his brother, with a .278 average, 108 HRs and 363 RBI. All solid numbers, especially for someone who hasn't reached that magical baseball age of 27 yet.

Simply put, he's capable of hitting .300, 30 HRs and 90+ RBI when he reaches his max potential.

Heyward, only 23, is the least certain entity of the three. Braves fans have had a love-hate-love relationship with him during his stint in Atlanta. He broke in and dazzled as a rookie in 2010, hitting .277, with 18 homers and 72 RBI, but then dropped off so severely in his sophomore season (about the time he should have been a sophomore in college) that he lost his starting job. He struggled that year to a meager .227 BA, 14 HR, 42 RBI season, but bounced back last year with an impressive .269-27-82 campaign.

Now he just has to find a way to stay more consistent.

The bottom line is, all three have the capability to hit .280+, hit anywhere from 20-35 home runs and drive in 75 to 100+ runs, all while stealing 20+ bases (40+ for B.J.), and playing above average defense. If they can all reach their full potential this season, look for Atlanta to not only get back to the playoffs, but also to maybe hang around until the end of October when a champion is crowned.

9 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2013 at 7:35 AM

    Angels outfield is way better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keith SmithJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:19 AM

      I would be very curious to hear your take on why you believe that. First, as I mentioned, I'm basing my opinion on the POTENTIAL of the Braves outfield. With the Angels, I will give you that Trout is better than any of the 3 Braves. Josh Hamilton, while a great hitter, looked horrendous the last month on the season in the outfield. I could've put a glove on my feet and made more plays than he did. And I don't think the Angels have even made a decision on who the third outfielder will be yet. Trumbo may be moved to third base, due to his horrible defensive technique in the outfield. Torii Hunter, while certainly solid, is reaching an age where he is nowhere ne

      Delete
    2. Keith SmithJanuary 25, 2013 at 9:20 AM

      near as effective as he used to be. Defensively, the Angels don't stack up, in my opinion. I would love to hear your input on this, though.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2013 at 11:49 AM

    For starters Hunter isn't even there anymore. They have Josh Hamilton in right, Peter Bourjos, with his amazing glove in center field, and Mike Trout moving over to left. Trout, Bourjos and Hamilton is easily the best outfield trio in baseball.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keith SmithJanuary 25, 2013 at 1:02 PM

      Just so I'm straight on this, you are willing to call a guy with, effectively, one full major-league season under his belt part of the best outfield in baseball? Seriously? Based on his glove alone? If you combine his glove and Hamilton's bat, you have one complete player to put alongside Trout. So that 2-man tandem is better than any other 3-man outfield out there? Impressive!

      Delete
  3. David HumphreyJanuary 25, 2013 at 1:27 PM

    In my opinion they don't even have the best outfield in the national league. I think the Brewers and Cardinals are both slightly better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andy GarciaJanuary 25, 2013 at 2:13 PM

      Even the Dodgers have a better OF if Crawford can get healthy, alongside Kemp and Ethier.

      Delete
    2. Keith SmithJanuary 25, 2013 at 4:37 PM

      For the record, I did say POTENTIALLY the best outfield in baseball. A lot of things have to fall into place. David, I agree that the Cards probably, in its current configuration, are better. Andy, Crawford AND Kemp have to stay healthy. Ethier is above average, but can be inconsistent.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 25, 2013 at 5:41 PM

    I believe they will have the best outfield in baseball! I have faith!

    ReplyDelete