Team-by-Team Fantasy Projections: Atlanta Braves

Here are the 2016 MLB fantasy projections for the Atlanta Braves (ZiPS projections courtesy Dan Szymborski; Steamer projections courtesy Jared Cross, Dash Davidson and Peter Rosenbloom; Zeile projections courtesy FantasyPros):

Hitters

C A.J. Pierzynski

Pierzynski, at his age, projects as nothing more than an injury placeholder or second catcher in deep, two-catcher leagues or NL-only formats. Backup Tyler Flowers won't take much playing time from him, so he could be a worthy streamer with some pop in desperate situations.

1B Freddie Freeman

Freeman offers the most fantasy upside on the entire Braves roster. The problem is 1B is a deep position and his RBI totals may be limited if those in front of him don't get on base. He's not a prototypical power guy, either - hitting 18 HR in each of the last two seasons. He's a mid-round pick if you need depth at 1B.

2B Jace Peterson

Peterson should go undrafted in mixed leagues as he doesn't project to do much beyond stealing some bases, though that could be enough to get him rostered in NL-only leagues. He stole 12 bases in 2015, but the alarming thing is he got caught 10 times. He'll need to make serious strides to be worth consideration.

3B Adonis Garcia

As a 30-year-old rookie in 2015, Garcia blasted 10 dingers in 198 plate appearances. He doesn't walk, and he probably won't go yard at that same clip over a full season. If the power is there consistently, he could be a waiver wire sleeper.

SS Erick Aybar

Aybar is consistent but unremarkable. He used to steal more bases - 30 in 2011 and 20 in 2012 - but otherwise, his production has looked fairly similar every year. If he hits near the top of the lineup, he'll at least have a lot of plate appearances, which could enhance his NL-only value.

LF Hector Olivera

Like the bulk of the offense, Olivera offers little in terms of fantasy value. He's not guaranteed a long-term job, either. Both Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher will be competing with Olivera for playing time, further limiting his prospects.

CF Ender Inciarte

Part of the trade that sent Shelby Miller to Arizona, Inciarte was somewhat overshadowed by the acquisition of top prospect Dansby Swanson. The third-year outfielder has made strides in his batting average but doesn't project to make much of a difference in the power department. He could be a good source of steals if he hits atop the lineup.

RF Nick Markakis

Year two of a four-year deal begins - and the expectations are not high. The batting average was the only stat to hold steady in 2015. Markakis hit only three home runs; his career low prior to that was 10 in 2013. He likely won't be as invisible, but he's not expected to be his former Baltimore self, either.

Starters

RHP Julio Teheran

Decent supporting stats and a heavy workload will be diminished somewhat by the concern that Teheran won't get enough run support to win many games. His 2015 was worse than the year before in nearly every way, including a loss of command - 3.3 BB/9 compared to 2.1 the year before. A rebound is anticipated.

RHP Bud Norris

Norris has seen his K/9 sink since he struck out more than a batter per inning for Houston in 2010. Like the rest of Atlanta's rotation, the wins don't project to be there to make his other numbers more digestible. If he can regain his strikeout pitch, he will have NL-only value but not much beyond that.

RHP Matt Wisler

Wisler, formerly a top prospect for the Padres, has failed to impress at Triple-A or MLB. With a young rotation, and not much in terms of competition, Wisler will likely get his chance to stretch out. He doesn't project to offer any value in standard mixed leagues. Even in NL-only leagues, there are better options early in the season.

RHP Williams Perez

A rookie in 2015, Perez threw 116.2 innings over 20 starts and three relief appearances and will likely be on the back end of Atlanta's rotation. He doesn't figure to be of much interest in fantasy leagues, as he doesn't strike out enough batters to make up for his mediocre peripherals and expected low win total. His spot in the rotation is tenuous at best.

RHP Manny Banuelos

Here's where the rotation starts to get interesting. Banuelos, as his projections suggest, could bounce between the rotation and the bullpen. His command will dictate his effectiveness and his role. He needs to improve his K/BB from its dismal 1.58 in 2015. His spot could be compromised by competition from Jhoulys Chacin and Mike Foltynewicz. None are worth pursuing early on.

Closer

RHP Arodys Vizcaino

Vizcaino will have pressure early on with the return of former closer Jason Grilli, who could be ready by the start of the season. Vizcaino was great for Atlanta in 2015, posting a 1.60 ERA while recording nine saves down the stretch. He'll get drafted in deeper mixed leagues because of the closer label, but will be more valuable in NL-only leagues.