Atlanta Braves organization discussion for 2018

I am now working on the Minnesota Twins Top 20 Prospects for 2018 list. The next team in line is the Atlanta Braves, to be followed by the Kansas City Royals, whoever wins the National League pennant, whoever wins the American League pennant, the San Diego Padres, and the Baltimore Orioles.

Use this thread to discuss the future of the Atlanta Braves organization. Possible points for discussion include, but are certainly not limited to:

****The Braves finished 72-90, third place in the National League Eastern Division. Do they have a chance to reach .500 in 2018? Could they surge past that as a surprise team? Or are they doomed to another year in the low-70s?

In other words, how far along do you think the rebuilding project is?

****The Braves have been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately: GM John Coppolella was recently forced to resign due to irregularities involving the signing of international free agents.

Long-time Braves front office fixture John Hart may also be at risk and MLB is expected to impose sanctions on the team after the World Series, rumors indicating that the violations were rather egregious although the specifics have yet to be released.

Obviously we don’t yet know exactly what the violations are and what MLB will do about it. Similar transgressions by other clubs have led to the loss of international free agent signing rights for up to a year, as well as the voiding of player contracts.

Whatever happens, it is unlikely to be good. Discuss the ramifications!

****Dansby Swanson was a disappointment but Ozzie Albies and his unexpected power surge take some of the sting from that. Where do you see these two guys three years from now? Does Swanson figure it out? I think so, but what do you think?

****Tremendous breakout season from Ronald Acuna. How fast do you push him in ‘18?

****The Braves have a wealth of young pitching: Luiz Gohara, Kolby Allard, Mike Soroka, Max Fried, Ian Anderson, Kyle Wright, Joey Wentz, Touki Toussaint, among others. Who do you have the most faith in? Who would you push most quickly?

****As always, share your sleepers any other Braves-related thoughts.

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