The Atlanta Braves have a deadly offense, just look at their Spring Training stats in the last few days and their roster. However, one big question going into 2013 is their leadoff role. However, with Andrelton Simmons' World Baseball Classic performance is promising and he didn't waste time to continue raking while in a Braves' uniform in his first game in Spring Training. Can Simmons effectively make the Braves the deadliest offense in baseball?
In Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, by the fifth inning, Simmons was 3-4 with two HR's, 4 RBI, and 3 runs scored.
Now, if those are the leadoff numbers Simmons wants to compile during the regular season, then baseball might be in trouble. He showed signs of overall production in the 2013 WBC. He finished with a .333 batting average, .382 OBP, 10 runs, 2 HR, 6 RBI and only two strikeouts in eight games.
With the lineup the Braves have slated in 2013, any player who can strikeout less than 100 times will be a plus and Simmons could probably be that guy. He can make contact, get on base and spark the offense at the top of the lineup for the Braves.
Let's face it, the Braves haven't had a legitimate leadoff hitter, aside from Michael Bourn, since Rafael Furcal was lost to free agency. Simmons can finally be that guy setting the table for the Braves lineup that could possibly lead the league in home runs this season. With the Upton Brothers, Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Dan Uggla and a healthy Brian McCann, this team will have plenty of home runs to go around.
The only positions the Braves might not get 20 home runs from is third base and the pitcher's order in the lineup. Aside from that, everybody else can hit home runs.
If Simmons can reproduce the numbers from the WBC, the Braves will be more than set for the 2013 season.
Simmons is just 23 years old and hails from Curacao. In 49 games played in 2012, he hit .289 with three home runs, 19 RBI and a .335 OBP. His defense is great, if his bat is responsive, there's no reason to believe Simmons would get demoted. His focus this season should be getting on base and ultimately making the Braves offense so dynamic not even the Washington Nationals' pitching could stop. (It will be tough, but not impossible.)
