Francoeur Leads Braves' Outfield Into New Era

Take a look around the field in D. C. tonight and you're likely to notice something's different about Atlanta's outfield. 

After 12 seasons patrolling center, Andruw Jones bolted for La-La land during the offseason. 

Now standing in Jones' old shoes is veteran Mark Kotsay, a free agent acquisition who endured an abysmal 2007 campaign. 

Last season Kotsays's productivity plummeted after spring training back surgery, suiting up for just 56 games, and batting a meager .214 for Oakland. 

More troubling is the fact that his batting average has dropped each of the last three seasons. 

Kotsay is 32, and with the recent back issues he may be in the autumn of his career. 

Those shoes of Jones' into which Kotsay steps are pretty large.  Even though Andruw's offensive stats in '07 were lackluster, his defensive prowess in centerfield was still at gold glove level.  

Bobby Cox won't expect Andruw-esque productivity from Kotsay, nevertheless a steady, everyday presence in center coupled with a yeoman effort at the plate are what this team needs from Kotsay. 

Despite everyone's best efforts to deny him sole possession of the job, Matt Diaz has earned his spot in leftfield. 

Diaz, a five-year journeyman, came out of nowhere in 2006 with a .327 average over 124 games. 

In '07 Diaz showed he was no one-hit wonder by amassing a .338 average with 12 homeruns in 135 games. 

Now the job his his, and at 30 Diaz looks to be entering the prime of his baseball career.  Barring injury, Diaz should enjoy a stellar 2008 campaign and attain further job security.

Anchoring the right field position is Jeff Francoeur, perhaps the real-deal second-coming of Dale Murphy. 

Francoeur, who burst on the scene in 2005, hasn't missed a game in two seasons.  All the while he has dazzled the Atlanta faithful with a strong bat and perhaps a stronger arm. 

In less than two and one-half seasons in the majors, Francoeur has posted a major league-leading 45 assists. 

Equally impressive is his display of power and average.  In '06 he hit 29 homeruns while hitting at a .260 clip. 

Showing a keen hitting ability, Francoeur improved his average by 33 points although his HR total fell by 10.  No need to worry about productivity, however, as Francoeur still managed to top his 2006 RBI total.

Francoeur and Diaz are known quantities. 

Francoeur is scary good and still has not entered his prime. MVPs and gold gloves are likely in his bright future. 

Diaz, at this point, appears to be a hitting machine who was plucked from obscurity by Atlanta for a song (haven't we heard this story before with Atlanta?). 

So, the only real question about the Braves' outfield, hours away from the 2008 season, is:  Will Mark Kotsay rebound from the back troubles which marred his lackluster 2007 effort? 

If he cannot, here's a name to hold onto for later:  Jordan Schafer.  

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