With Braves pitchers and catchers set to report Tuesday, one of the questions entering spring training and a new season is whether the team will generate more power at the plate.
Two of the top five home-run hitters from last season are gone: Matt Adams and Matt Kemp. Of the top three returning, two are catchers, so both won’t be in the lineup at the same time.
Heralded prospect Ronald Acuna is a strong candidate to join the lineup sometime early in the season. If that goes as planned, he likely will provide a power boost. Johan Camargo still seems set to begin the season as the starting third baseman. He showed some extra-base power in a short stint in winter ball and seems to continue to add muscle through his offseason strength and conditioning. Ozzie Albies is pound-for-pound stronger than you might expect for his size, so having him all season could help replace the 38 homers hit by Adams and Kemp.
After that, the Braves must hope that someone emerges -- and that Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki duplicate their combined power output of 31 homers in 2017.
