BRAVES NEWS
After grief and injury, Gohara sets the bar high
The 2018 season was trying both personally and professionally for Braves left-hander Luiz Gohara, who lost father in the offseason, and subsequently saw his performance on the diamond suffer considerably. Crippling personal tragedy along with the irritation of no longer possessing the elite stuff on the mound made for a difficult road, but now the 21-year-old feels that he is prepared to return to form in 2019.
“I really apologize to those guys who said I was going to be an All-Star and those who were thinking positive things about me,” Gohara said. “It didn’t happen last year, but I can work to make it happen this year.”
Told he didn’t necessarily need to apologize for the effects of events outside of his control, the rejuvenated hurler added, “It’s more about the respect and great positive energy they were giving me. It stunk to be pitching poorly, but all of those injuries didn’t help me.”
Inciarte’s key to success in 2019? Consistency
It was a tale of two seasons for Ender Inciarte in 2019, as the Braves center fielder struggled mightily in the first half before rebounding in the second half to help lead Atlanta to a division title. The success Inciarte enjoyed in the second half is something he says can be repeated, and maintaining a consistent approach throughout the season is the key.
“Hopefully, I’m going to be more consistent this year,” Inciarte said. “That’s the most important part of this game. It’s a tough game and it’s a long season. Consistency is the biggest part.”
When Inciarte slashed .241/.312/.337 during last season’s first half, he was replaced by Ronald Acuna Jr.in the leadoff role. But the veteran center fielder bounced back to post a .302/.345/.448 line during the second half. That slash line was very similar to the one he produced over the course of the 2017 season, when he hit .304/.350/.409.
Is it too late for the Braves to improve?
The Braves have been eerily quiet for much of the offseason, and with camps opening this week in full, our own Sam Meredith wonders: is it too late for the Braves to improve?
BRAVES PODCASTS
On @SwingsAndMishes #Braves VP/GM Alex Anthopoulos opens up on his Realmuto pursuit & unsuccessfully tries to get Mike Hill to crash the interview. A fun discussion on @5ReasonsSports https://t.co/YqihFO2rRz
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) February 18, 2026
MLB NEWS
‘It’s time’: Giants’ Bochy to retire after this season
Loading comments...