Just in time for prospect season, we take a look at the idea of "windows" and a team's prime time to win. Inspired by what seems to be a once every three years rebuild for the Oakland Athletics, is there going to be a time where all their premier prospects hit and they'll have the best chance to win? Here we present the pleasures of trying to maximize production during one's service time.
Thirteenth in the series, we look at the Atlanta Braves. Ranked 8th overall by John Sickels, they have 1 A-rated prospect and 15 B-rated prospects. Keith Law's 2012 organizational rankings sees their system as middle-of-the-pack at 16th overall.
Can their great pitching depth help the Braves chances to contend for years to come?
Aside from the September collapse, the Braves still won 89 games last year. As Jayson Stark wrote yesterday, the Braves have decided not to makes moves this offseason.
A lot of the current prospects in the system will hit starting 2014. Something to be excited about this season is the debut for RHP Arodys Vizcaino and maybe even top prospect RHP Julio Teheran. Here's what their 2012 lineup looks like:
*New acquisition, Current roster info from MLB Depth Charts
Starting Lineup
1 CF Michael Bourn
2 LF Martin Prado
3 3B Chipper Jones
4 2B Dan Uggla
5 C Brian McCann
6 1B Freddie Freeman
7 RF Jason Heyward
8 SS Tyler Pastornicky
Bench
C David Ross
1B/OF Eric Hinske
IF Jack Wilson
OF Jose Constanza
OF Matt Diaz
Starting Rotation
1 RHP Jair Jurrjens
2 RHP Tommy Hanson
3 RHP Brandon Beachy
4 LHP Mike Minor
5 RHP Randall Delgado
Bullpen
CL RHP Craig Kimbrel
SU LHP Jonny Venters
SU RHP Arodys Vizcaino
MID LHP Eric O'Flaherty
MID RHP Kris Medlen
MID RHP Jairo Asencio
LR RHP Cristhian Martinez
With the hopes that if they improve their about average wRC+ (90) this season, their pitching can certainly continue to carry them. They may look at re-signing OF Michael Bourn, C Brian McCann along with starters RHP Tim Hudson and RHP Jair Jurrjens
The rotation should stay solid for years to come. Sickels said about their rotation:
As usual, the pitching is rich in this system, with three potential rotation anchors in Teheran, Vizcaino, and Delgado. Gilmartin, Hoover, and Spruill are also capable of becoming solid major league starting pitchers, although it looks like Hoover will end up in relief, at least in the short run.
I see the Braves remaining in striking distance through 2015, but in the case they don't re-sign the players mentioned above, hopefully they can win by end of 2013.
See the previous graphics in this series: Mariners | Athletics | Astros | Cubs | Pirates | Royals | Twins | Indians | Padres | Diamondbacks | Rays | Jays
Check out FUNGraphs.info or Follow @cobradave