Countdown to Opening Day: #7 Atlanta Braves

By Andrew Marcus

Sportswriter for Montgomery Media

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2011 Major League Baseball season I am going to be examining a different team every day. Starting with the Pirates, working toward the Phillies. I will give you my projected starters, breakout and bust players, biggest spring training question and top prospect

PROJECTED LINEUP

LF Martin Prado

SS Alex Gonzalez

3B Chipper Jones

2B Dan Uggla

C Brian McCann

RF Jason Heyward

1B Freddie Freeman

CF Nate McLouth

P Tim Hudson

PROJECTED ROTATION

Tim Hudson

Tommy Hanson

Derek Lowe

Jair Jurrjens

Mike Minor

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer - Craig Kimbrel
Set-up - Johnny Venters

Top Prospect - Julio Teheran (RHP)

Breakout

Tommy Hanson - I bet the Braves are glad they held onto Hanson when the Padres wanted to unload Jake Peavy. Hanson has shown what he can do and this could be the season he puts his name into the cy young race as one of the best right handers in baseball.

Bust

Derek Lowe - Luckily the Braves minor league system is loaded with arms becasue Lowe's right arm is about out of gas. Lowe is my pick for a former all-star finding his way to a long relief role by season's end.

Biggest Spring Training Question

offense is offensive - The main concern is a leadoff hitter, but I can go down the lineup and raise questions about every hitter in the lineup. Whether is declining skills (Chipper, McLouth), injury risks (Prado) or young guys taking the next step (Freeman, Heyward) I'm not sure the Braves can score enough runs to be a powerhouse club.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 91-71

PROJECTED FINISH: 3rd in National League East

If Heyward explodes will the Braves follow?

***THANKS FOR READING MY TEAM BY TEAM OUTLOOKS TO HELP PASS THE TIME
 

Check back tomorrow for the Cincinnati Reds