MLB LOOK AHEAD

2022 Atlanta Braves Projected Starting Lineup

Lindyssports.com Staff

March 16, 2022 at 4:49 pm.

PROJECTED REGULARS

1B     Matt Olson — Left-handed hitter unfazed by lefty pitchers (22 homers in 2021); exceptional defender.

2B     Ozzie Albies — Youngest at position with 30-homer, 100-RBI season; career 82 percent success rate stealing bases.

SS     Dansby Swanson — Pulled ball career-high 30 percent of time last year; reliable defender.

3B     Austin Riley — 6.1 WAR score last year; improved batting average by 64 points from 2020.

LF     Eddie Rosario —  NLCS MVP finally has a home; hit 32 home runs and drove in 109 runs in 2019 with Twins; good speed; quality defender who can play every outfield position.

CF     Adam Duvall — Led NL in RBIs (113) last year; sells out for power (.228 batting average). Good defender.

RF     Ronald Acuna Jr.  — MVP candidate’s return from ACL tear may delay start of season; dynamite source of speed and power when healthy. Elite arm strength.

C       Travis d’Arnaud — Batting average fell off 101 points, OBP by 102 points last year. Great receiver.

DH    Marcell Ozuna — Offense fell off dramatically last year; hard-hit rate meager 41 percent; has something to prove.

ROTATION

RH     Charlie Morton — 59-22 record last four full seasons; held batters to career-best .203 batting average last year.

LH     Max Fried — Elite curveball; 38-13 record last three years; almost 53 percent career groundball rate.

RH     Ian Anderson — 4.1 WAR mark for first two MLB seasons; walks 10 percent of batters faced.

RH     Huascar Ynoa — Soaring along with 3.02 ERA before suffering broken hand; 4.02 ERA rest of way.

LH     Tucker Davidson — 2022 rookie; needs better command; slider a go-to pitch.

KEY RELIEVERS

LH     Will Smith (closer) — Converted 37 of 43 save chances last year; worked in 50 high-leverage situations.

LH     Tyler Matzek — 11.7 Ks/9 IP in two years with Atlanta; dominating fastball/slider combination.

RH     Luke Jackson — Gets Ks, but posted 4.1 BB/9 IP last year; 1.98 ERA easily best of career.

 

 

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