Atlanta Braves Spring Training: Ranking The Top 5 Early Offensive Standouts

Atlanta Braves Spring Training: Ranking The Top 5 Early Offensive Standouts

By Steven Whitaker

March 9, 2014

Atlanta Braves Spring Training: Top 5 Early Offensive Standouts

Freddie Freeman Atlanta Braves — While the Atlanta Braves have struggled through the first part of Spring Training, there has been good in the way some players have performed. Even though it's early in the spring, there are a few players who have made it clear that they have come to Spring Training with their best swing. The team has strengths going into the 2014 season, and if guys continue to swing the way they have this spring, it's going to be a fun season in Atlanta.

While the Atlanta Braves have struggled through the first part of Spring Training, there has been good in the way some players have performed. Even though it's early in the spring, there are a few players who have made it clear that they have come to Spring Training with their best swing. The team has strengths going into the 2014 season, and if guys continue to swing the way they have this spring, it's going to be a fun season in Atlanta.

5. Tommy La Stella

Tommy La Stella Atlanta Braves

5. Tommy La Stella

Tommy La Stella Atlanta Braves — With little chance of making the Opening Day roster, he's showing the team what they heard all last season. The kid can hit. He's 9-for-29 to this point with two hits being doubles. He's also shown good plate discipline, walking four times. Expect his playing time to be cut down as Dan Uggla needs to be getting more at-bats. If he can hit in triple-A this season, he may get to see some playing time late if Uggla continues to struggle.

With little chance of making the Opening Day roster, he's showing the team what they heard all last season. The kid can hit. He's 9-for-29 to this point with two hits being doubles. He's also shown good plate discipline, walking four times. Expect his playing time to be cut down as Dan Uggla needs to be getting more at-bats. If he can hit in triple-A this season, he may get to see some playing time late if Uggla continues to struggle.

4. Ryan Doumit

Ryan Doumit Atlanta Braves

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4. Ryan Doumit

Ryan Doumit Atlanta Braves — Doumit is one of the few additions that the Braves made this offseason. He's 7-for-21 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and a walk. He'll most likely be an emergency catcher and get spot starts at first base and the outfield. If he continues to swing like he has at this point, he'll buy himself some extra playing time in 2014.

Doumit is one of the few additions that the Braves made this offseason. He's 7-for-21 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and a walk. He'll most likely be an emergency catcher and get spot starts at first base and the outfield. If he continues to swing like he has at this point, he'll buy himself some extra playing time in 2014.

3. Ramiro Pena

Ramiro Pena Atlanta Braves

3. Ramiro Pena

Ramiro Pena Atlanta Braves — Before getting injured in 2013, Pena was impressing the Braves with his play. Now that he's healthy again, he's hitting .364 (8-for-22) with four RBIs and only two strikeouts. He will put the ball in play in most at-bats as well as play some good defense. If he plays well, he may allow the Braves to hold La Stella in triple-A for another season.

Before getting injured in 2013, Pena was impressing the Braves with his play. Now that he's healthy again, he's hitting .364 (8-for-22) with four RBIs and only two strikeouts. He will put the ball in play in most at-bats as well as play some good defense. If he plays well, he may allow the Braves to hold La Stella in triple-A for another season.

2. Jason Heyward

Jason Heyward Atlanta Braves

2. Jason Heyward

Jason Heyward Atlanta Braves — The only Braves player to show off his power stroke this season other than Todd Cunningham, he's 8-for-23 with two home runs, a walk and a stolen base. With a short-term extension signed in the offseason, Heyward seems to have brought complete focus into 2014. If he can keep up his swing, he's a possibly MVP candidate out of the leadoff position.

The only Braves player to show off his power stroke this season other than Todd Cunningham, he's 8-for-23 with two home runs, a walk and a stolen base. With a short-term extension signed in the offseason, Heyward seems to have brought complete focus into 2014. If he can keep up his swing, he's a possibly MVP candidate out of the leadoff position.

1. Freddie Freeman

Freddie Freeman Atlanta Braves

1. Freddie Freeman

Freddie Freeman Atlanta Braves — If anyone was wondering, he doesn't seem to have lost any of what he did in 2013. He's hitting .421 (8-of-19) so far with two doubles, two RBIs and matches La Stella with four walks. His swing is ready for the regular season and if Heyward and he are both clicking as they are now, the top of this order will be among the best in the major leagues. Expect nothing less than another top-five MVP finish for Freeman in 2014.

If anyone was wondering, he doesn't seem to have lost any of what he did in 2013. He's hitting .421 (8-of-19) so far with two doubles, two RBIs and matches La Stella with four walks. His swing is ready for the regular season and if Heyward and he are both clicking as they are now, the top of this order will be among the best in the major leagues. Expect nothing less than another top-five MVP finish for Freeman in 2014.

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