Now before I get started, I would like to say that I am not a Major League manger or GM, but I do have a lot of experience doing those things in video games. Now, let's get down right to it: the Braves are gonna lose a bunch of games this year; however, they can limit the number of games they lose by playing with a well constructed lineup. I've been watching baseball and playing MLB video games for a while now, and I'm pretty sure I've got lineup construction down to a science:
Without DH:
1. Fast player who also has good contact ability
2. Best all around offensive player when taking into account contact, power, and speed
3. Best pure hitter
4. Best power hitter
5. Second best power hitter
6. Third worst hitter
7. Second worse hitter
8. Worst hitter
9. Pitcher
With DH:
1. Fast player who also has good contact ability
2. Best all around offensive player when taking into account contact, power, and speed
3. Best pure hitter
4. Best power hitter
5. Second best power hitter
6. Fourth Worst Hitter
7. Third worst hitter
8. Second worse hitter
9. Worst hitter
With that being said here are the two ideal lineups I've built for the Braves:
Without DH:
1. Eric Young Jr., CF
2. Nick Markakis, RF
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Johnny Gomes, LF
5. Chris Johnson, 3B
6. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
7. Andrelton Simmons, SS
8. Christian Bethancourt, C
9. Pitcher
With DH:
1. Eric Young Jr., LF
2. Nick Markakis, RF
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Johnny Gomes, DH
5. Chris Johnson, 3B
6. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
7. Andrelton Simmons, SS
8. Melvin Upton Jr., CF
9. Christian Bethancourt, C
Top second baseman prospect Jose Peraza isn't ready for the bigs yet, but when he is, he will most likely take over the jobs at second base and lead off man. A platoon at catcher between Christian Bethancourt and AJ Pierzynski also seems likely; Pierzynski would likely bat fifth in both of the lineups. I could also see Bethancourt batting in front of Simmons if his offense has stepped up from last season.
Without DH:
1. Fast player who also has good contact ability
2. Best all around offensive player when taking into account contact, power, and speed
3. Best pure hitter
4. Best power hitter
5. Second best power hitter
6. Third worst hitter
7. Second worse hitter
8. Worst hitter
9. Pitcher
With DH:
1. Fast player who also has good contact ability
2. Best all around offensive player when taking into account contact, power, and speed
3. Best pure hitter
4. Best power hitter
5. Second best power hitter
6. Fourth Worst Hitter
7. Third worst hitter
8. Second worse hitter
9. Worst hitter
With that being said here are the two ideal lineups I've built for the Braves:
Without DH:
1. Eric Young Jr., CF
2. Nick Markakis, RF
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Johnny Gomes, LF
5. Chris Johnson, 3B
6. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
7. Andrelton Simmons, SS
8. Christian Bethancourt, C
9. Pitcher
With DH:
1. Eric Young Jr., LF
2. Nick Markakis, RF
3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
4. Johnny Gomes, DH
5. Chris Johnson, 3B
6. Alberto Callaspo, 2B
7. Andrelton Simmons, SS
8. Melvin Upton Jr., CF
9. Christian Bethancourt, C
Top second baseman prospect Jose Peraza isn't ready for the bigs yet, but when he is, he will most likely take over the jobs at second base and lead off man. A platoon at catcher between Christian Bethancourt and AJ Pierzynski also seems likely; Pierzynski would likely bat fifth in both of the lineups. I could also see Bethancourt batting in front of Simmons if his offense has stepped up from last season.