Atlanta Braves' 2012 Ideal Starting Lineup

The Atlanta Braves had a disappointing finish to their 2011 season.

However, after making off-season improvements, the Braves will once again be legitimate contenders for the World Series.

Although much of The Braves' 2012 will be made up of young players, it nevertheless has the potential to become the best team in baseball. 

The following slides will lay out what should idealize the Braves' 2012 starting lineup, and give them the best chance at success.

No. 1: Michael Bourn, CF

The Braves acquired Michael Bourn at the trade deadline last season.

As soon as Bourn joined the Braves, he became the ideal leadoff hitter they had lacked during the entire first half of the season.

In 2011, Bourn achieved a .294 batting average and a .349 OBP, and of his 193 hits, 34 were doubles.

He also led the league with 61 steals — 21 steals more than his closest competition.

Bourn is easily one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball.

This, coupled with his impressive defense, should be a great contribution to the Braves' 2012 team.

No. 2: Chipper Jones, 3B

Although he will soon celebrate his 40th birthday, Chipper Jones is still one of the best third baseman in baseball, and will start for the Braves in 2012.

While struggling through knee injuries for much of last season, Jones hit .275 with a .344 OBP, hit 18 home runs, and knocked in 70 RBI.

The only issue for Jones is his high risk of injury. However, if Martin Prado remains with the Braves for the next season, he will be an ideal backup for Jones, so injuries should not be too much of a concern.

With a career OBP of .402, Jones gets on base often, and should bat second in the Braves' lineup to contribute the optimum amount of runs.

No. 3: Jason Heyward, RF

After an extremely successful rookie season, Jason Heyward disappointed with his offense last season.

For a large amount of time in the middle of the season, Heyward was injured, and he managed only 396 at bats. He hit for an average of .227, with an OBP of .319. 

These numbers were very unimpressive, and Heyward was moved to the bottom of the batting order near the end of the season.

However, his struggles are likely to be only temporary, and he should be back to his expected offensive numbers before the new season begins.

Even with his poor offense in 2011, Heyward has a career OBP of .362, and deserves to hit in the third spot of the batting order.

No. 4: Dan Uggla, 2B

Dan Uggla's 2011 season was about as unpredictable as it gets.

In the first half of the season, he hit a pathetic .196 before going on a 33-game hitting streak and improving his batting average to .296 in the second half.

During the season, he hit 36 home runs and 82 RBI, both of which are the team high for the year.

Uggla's numbers should be more steady during next season, and hopefully will be closer to the .287 BA and 105 RBI he hit in 2010.

These numbers, along with his .307 average when batting fourth, show that Uggla can be an effective cleanup hitter. He should play this role in the 2012 lineup.

No. 5: Brian McCann, C

Brian McCann, when healthy, is the best offensive catcher in the league, displayed by his five Silver Slugger awards and his six straight All-Star game selections.

Even though he had a discouraging slump in the last month of the season, McCann still managed to hit .270, with 24 home runs and 71 RBI. He also led the Braves with an OBP of .351.

In the fifth spot of the lineup, McCann has plenty of competent teammates ahead of him to bat in.

No. 6: Carlos Quentin, LF

The Braves are looking for an improvement in left field, especially if Martin Prado is going to be used as a utility man next season.

Of the possible trade options, Chicago White Sox's Carlos Quentin seems closest to ideal.

Last season, with a .254 BA, he hit 24 home runs and 77 RBI.

The White Sox should be willing to trade Quentin, especially because of their need for better starting pitching.

For this deal, the Braves should offer a few young pitchers with high potential, such as Jair Jurrjens and Randall Delgado.

An ideal outfielder for the Braves would have been Matt Kemp. However, he was recently signed for eight years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, so that should rule out any trade for him.

Another possible option would be to try to acquire Kemp's teammate, Andre Ethier, from the Dodgers.

In his career, Ethier hits .291, with a .364 OBP.

The main downside of this deal would be that along with two top pitchers, the Braves would also likely have to add Prado into the trade.

No. 7: Freddie Freeman, 1B

Freddie Freeman's rookie season was almost as hyped as Heyward's, and Freeman did not disappoint.

He led the Braves' team in batting average, at .282, and came in second for OBP, at .346.

He also hit 21 home runs and 76 RBI and led his team in amount of hits.

Freeman has the potential to become one of the best hitters in the league, with such amazing statistics after only his rookie year.

However, because there is likely to be a multitude of great hitters in the Braves' lineup, Freeman may end up batting only seventh.

No. 8: Alex Gonzalez, SS

The Braves do not currently have a shortstop under contract for the 2012 season.

There are the options of star prospects Tyler Pastornicky and Andrelton Simmons; however, it is unlikely that they will be prepared to take on a starting role for next season.

And with the thin free agent market of shortstops, re-signing Alex Gonzalez seems to be the top option for this situation.

Although Gonzalez has hit only .241 in his career, he does hit a home run every once in a while, and he is great defensively.

If the Braves are to make a trade for an outfielder, they will not be able to afford signing an expensive shortstop, so Gonzalez is the top option.

No. 9: Tommy Hanson, SP

Although Tim Hudson was the clear ace of the Braves at the end of the last season, Tommy Hanson could take over that role during 2012.

Hanson has incredible potential, and could become one of the best pitchers in baseball in the next few years.

During the first half of the 2011 season, Hanson went 10-4 with a 2.44 ERA.

His stellar season was, unfortunately, ruined by injuries, and he only managed one more win in the season's second half.

If he completely recovers from his injuries, Hanson should be the Braves' starting pitcher on Opening Day 2012.

No. 9: Tim Hudson, SP

Although Tommy Hanson deserves to take the number one spot, Hudson should still pitch as the number two starter.

Last season, as the Braves' ace, Hudson was 16-10 with a 3.22 ERA.

Hudson will be a veteran pitcher among a large number of young starters.

If he continues to put up numbers similar to those from his past few seasons, which is likely, Hudson should consistently win games for the Braves.

No. 9: Brandon Beachy, SP

In his rookie season, Brandon Beachy met and exceeded his expectations.

He went 7-3, with a 3.68 ERA.

He also struck out 169 batters in 141.2 innings, which is a K/9 ration of 10.74.

Beachy has proven himself as a consistent starter, and deserves the number three spot in the Braves' 2012 pitching rotation.

No. 9: Julio Teheran, SP

Julio Teheran was ranked as the top pitching prospect in the league.

Last season, in the triple-A, he pitched 144.2 innings, and achieved a 15-3 record and an ERA of 2.55.

In the middle of the 2011 season, he started a few games but struggled slightly.

However, after maturing in the minors for the rest of the season, he should no longer have this issue.

Once he gains experience in the major league, Teheran can be a top pitcher for the Braves.

No. 9: Mike Minor, SP

If the Braves are to make a large trade this offseason, it is likely to include Jair Jurrjens.

It is also likely to send either Mike Minor or Randall Delgado away from the Braves.

Both have great potential, and whoever remains with the Braves is likely to take the final starting spot in the pitching rotation.

Minor and Delgado both have major league experience, which should be helpful for a starting role next season.

In the Braves' last season, Minor was 5-3, with a 4.14 ERA. Delgado was 1-1, with an ERA of 2.83, and pitched an almost no-hitter near the end of the season.

Both should be impressive starters, especially in the number five spot.