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Predicting the Atlanta Braves’ 2015 Starting Lineup After Winter Meetings

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Predicting the Atlanta Braves' 2015 Starting Lineup After Winter Meetings

Jason Heyward Atlanta Braves
Jason Getz - USA TODAY Sports

Jason Heyward is an Atlanta Brave no more. His presence in the 2014 lineup was crucial as a team devoid of a true leadoff hitter asked the 6-foot-5 athlete to fill the shoes management failed to provide for a team with such a critical need. After the winter meetings, the Braves failed to make any major moves to bolster an already struggling lineup. Take a look at this projection of the 2015 lineup.

1. Nick Markakis

Nick Markakis Baltimore Orioles
Peter Aiken - USA TODAY Sports

1. Nick Markakis

Nick Markakis Baltimore Orioles
Peter Aiken - USA TODAY Sports

Nick Markakis was acquired shortly after the trade of Jason Heyward to the St. Louis Cardinals. He immediately filled the void in right field, but as a true leadoff hitter, he only holds this spot until the Braves' top prospect Jose Peraza gets comfortable in the big leagues (more on that shortly). While his career batting average of .290 is impressive, the grand total of six stolen bases the past three seasons is alarming.

2. Phil Gosselin

Phil Gosselin Atlanta Braves
Jason Getz - USA TODAY Sports

2. Phil Gosselin

Phil Gosselin Atlanta Braves
Jason Getz - USA TODAY Sports

As mentioned in the previous slide, Jose Peraza is the future for the Braves and his position is second base, which is currently occupied by Gosselin. Gosselin provided stability at this position last season and showed some promise with his bat with a .266 average. Unfortunately, he will have to move aside once Peraza gets it going.

3. Freddie Freeman

Freddie Freeman Atlanta Braves
Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports

3. Freddie Freeman

Freddie Freeman Atlanta Braves
Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports

Freeman is the centerpiece of this lineup and is showing he can fill the shoes in the three-hole left by Hall of Famer Chipper Jones. He is a premier defensive first baseman and has good power and is a very solid hitter (.288 batting average). He too struggled down the stretch last season but is expected to put up even bigger numbers this year.

4. Evan Gattis

Evan Gattis Atlanta Braves
Jason Getz - USA TODAY Sports

4. Evan Gattis

Evan Gattis Atlanta Braves
Jason Getz - USA TODAY Sports

It is quite possible that Braves fans have seen the last of Gattis. Affectionately referred to as El Oso Blanco, his trade value is as high as it will be and American League teams would love to place a power hitter in their DH spot. Gattis hit .263 last season with 22 home runs in only 369 at-bats. If he manages to stay in Atlanta, expect him to bat clean-up sandwiched between two strong hitters.

5. Justin Upton

Justin Upton Running
Tommy Gilligan - USA TODAY Sports

5. Justin Upton

Justin Upton Running
Tommy Gilligan - USA TODAY Sports

Last year was a tale of two seasons for Upton. He went from a strong National League MVP candidate after having a monster July and August in which he batted .305 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. September, however, was a disaster. He finished the month batting .169 and his MVP aspirations died just as fast as his batting average. He will more than likely start out at the fifth spot if he too is not traded before the season.

6. Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson Atlanta Braves
Bill Streicher - USA TODAY Sports

6. Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson Atlanta Braves
Bill Streicher - USA TODAY Sports

In 2013, Johnson was edged out by Pedro Alvarez as a Silver Slugger Award winner. In 2014, his numbers dropped dramatically from an impressive .321 batting average to a very mediocre .263. The Braves signed Johnson to an extension last year, so they believe in his ability long term. The six spot fits him perfectly as he has the ability to manufacture runs with his smooth swing while hitting behind three strong sluggers.

7. B.J. Upton

B.J. Upton Atlanta Braves
Jason Getz - USA TODAY Sports

7. B.J. Upton

B.J. Upton Atlanta Braves
Jason Getz - USA TODAY Sports

To say B.J. Upton has been a disappointment would actually be a compliment considering the play he has exhibited in a Braves uniform. His play has been downright embarrassing, and the only reason he's in this lineup is because he costs too much to sit on the bench. Simply put, his .208 batting average was considered a huge bump from the previous year. He stopped short of a milestone last year by missing 200 strikeouts by 27.

8. Andrelton Simmons

Andrelton Simmons Atlanta Braves
Eric Hartline - USA TODAY Sports

8. Andrelton Simmons

Andrelton Simmons Atlanta Braves
Eric Hartline - USA TODAY Sports

If the day ever comes that Simmons' bat catches up to the play of his glove, he will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. His defensive skills are second to none, and he has won the Gold Glove award in each of his first two full seasons. However, he's still an enigma at the plate. He rarely strikes out, but he has a tendency to over-swing which drastically lowers his average. He will remain batting eighth until he learns how to swing for contact.

9. Julio Tehran

Julio Tehran Atlanta Braves
Brett Davis - USA TODAY Sports

9. Julio Tehran

Julio Tehran Atlanta Braves
Brett Davis - USA TODAY Sports

Last season Tehran established himself as the Braves' ace. He finished the 2014 season with a 2.89 ERA, had four complete games and two shutouts. He will only be 24 years old but has finally learned how to pitch in the big leagues. He will once again be the opening day starter for the Braves in 2015.

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