Greensboro, NC -- Unlike the past couple of years, the Atlanta Braves have a bevy of starting pitching. With the rotation finally stable, the focus now shifts to the offense, which has bee lackluster at best. I love the acquisitions of Nate McClouth and Adam LaRoche. LaRoche brings some much needed power to the lineup. McClouth has played great defense and solidified the centerfield position, but the offense has been average at best. With very little money to spend this offseason, my primary question is such: who is going to bat cleanup? While Brian McCann is a solid hitter, he's best suited for the 5th or 6th spot. Every playoff team has a solid 3-4-5, and the Braves are lacking in that category.
The answer may just be in AA-Mississippi. Jason Heyward, a top outfield prospect, has been smoking the ball since his promotion to AA. He may be the next Miguel Cabrera, in that, he's the best offensive solution on the market, he's cheap, and he has the potential to put up huge offensive numbers. Like Cabrera earning the late call to the show in 2003 when he was with the Marlins, Heyward could easily slide into the 5th or 6th spot, play some LF, and contribute mightily to this sagging lineup. Look for his call before September 1st rolls around IF the Braves are desperate for offense. Otherwise, we'll see Heyward penciled in the Opening Day lineup in 2010.
