The results of the Atlanta Braves fan projections for the starting infield are in ... and they're quite sensible; cautious even. Over the past two weeks we asked the readers of Talking Chop to predict the numbers for the projected starting infield. Here are the results, as an average of all the submissions:
Player (Fan Projection) |
PA | AVG | OBP | HR |
Brian McCann | 541 | .290 | .377 | 25 |
Freddie Freeman | 530 | .278 | .351 | 17 |
Dan Uggla | 589 | .276 | .356 | 31 |
Alex Gonzalez | 548 | .256 | .311 | 15 |
Chipper Jones | 454 | .287 | .391 | 17 |
Nothing is really too far out of bounds on any of these numbers. For reference, here are the career rate stat averages for these players:
Player (Career Averages) | AVG | OBP |
Brian McCann | .289 | .360 |
Freddie Freeman (minors) | .301 | .363 |
Dan Uggla | .263 | .349 |
Alex Gonzalez | .248 | .294 |
Chipper Jones | .306 | .405 |
None of the projections are more than .017 points higher than their career averages, and several are even below their career averages. Even the plate appearance and home run totals are not out of control. If the Braves manage to put up these numbers, they won't be blowing anyone away, but they'll be a lineup of solid run producers. Of course, someone is bound to have a great year, and another is bound to have a bad year, the hope is that there aren't too many of the latter.
Projections for the outfielders will be up next.