Comments on: The Atlanta Braves Outfield Of 2007 http://www.crookedpitch.com/126/the-atlanta-braves-outfield-of-2007/ Fantasy Baseball Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:39:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Will Schaffer http://www.crookedpitch.com/126/the-atlanta-braves-outfield-of-2007/#comment-710 Will Schaffer Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:17:08 +0000 http://www.crookedpitch.com/126/the-atlanta-braves-outfield-of-2007/#comment-710 I think most people are waiting now for Jeff Francoeur to put it all together. His ability to make contact and plate discipline have both improved to at least reasonable levels. Now we have to see if he can take that and his raw power and put that together into more of a complete package. Left field is a pretty big strength now. Matt Diaz made drastic improvements defensively and went from a subpar defender to being around average. No one really expects him to keep up this year;s pace. Assuming he stays as a platoon player, I think he could keep up something around .325/.360/.480. He hits left handers incredibly well and is also good against righties. Harris may be non-tendered but will not be in a platoon role next year as he was benched by the end of the season. Brandon Jones could take over Harris' platoon role next year or shift to right if Francoeur takes over in center. However, the organization doesn't see Jones in center field. Blanco is a fourth outfielder but his inability to effectively steal bases will prevent him from starting. The most likely in-house option is Brent Lillibridge, who played center in college, and has the defensive tools to be very good. If he gets the job, that is an under-the-radar guy who could provide runs, stolen bases, and some power if you can stand to have a .250-.260 average. I think most people are waiting now for Jeff Francoeur to put it all together. His ability to make contact and plate discipline have both improved to at least reasonable levels. Now we have to see if he can take that and his raw power and put that together into more of a complete package.

Left field is a pretty big strength now. Matt Diaz made drastic improvements defensively and went from a subpar defender to being around average. No one really expects him to keep up this year;s pace. Assuming he stays as a platoon player, I think he could keep up something around .325/.360/.480. He hits left handers incredibly well and is also good against righties.

Harris may be non-tendered but will not be in a platoon role next year as he was benched by the end of the season. Brandon Jones could take over Harris’ platoon role next year or shift to right if Francoeur takes over in center. However, the organization doesn’t see Jones in center field. Blanco is a fourth outfielder but his inability to effectively steal bases will prevent him from starting. The most likely in-house option is Brent Lillibridge, who played center in college, and has the defensive tools to be very good. If he gets the job, that is an under-the-radar guy who could provide runs, stolen bases, and some power if you can stand to have a .250-.260 average.

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