Projected batting order Rafael Furcal, SS Robert Fick, 1B Gary Sheffield, RF Chipper Jones, LF Andruw Jones, CF Javy Lopez, C Vinny Castilla, 3B Marcus Giles/Mark DeRosa, 2B Rotation Greg Maddux, RHP Mike Hampton, LHP Russ Ortiz, RHP Paul Byrd, RHP Jason Marquis, RHP Bench Julio Franco, 1B Matt Franco, 1B Henry Blanco, C Johnny Estrada, C Darren Bragg, OF Bullpen John Smoltz, RHP (CL) Roberto Hernandez, RHP Kevin Gryboski, RHP Darren Holmes, RHP Ray King, LHP Mike Venafro, LHP Complete Braves roster  ESPN's Take Q: With the additions of Mike Hampton, Paul Byrd and Russ Ortiz make the difference if the offense falters once again? Ortiz will be fine. He's not Kevin Millwood, but he's a 200-something inning, 15-18 game horse. Hampton struggled at times this spring, and I had three GMs say they thought he'd win 9-12 games, but that's not Tom Glavine. Byrd will be OK if he's healthy, but he's had some elbow problems this March. So there are questions to be answered. Gary Sheffield, Chipper Jones and Javy Lopez will have better years. -- Peter Gammons Marcus Giles didn't have a very good 2002 on or off the field, but here lurks a potential 20-HR guy at a position with little power. Giles will likely not be high on draft lists, but perhaps hitting in front of the big boys should afford him chances to see good pitches, and he could emerge. While Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone has done some wondrous work with players over the years, it's starting to look like Jason Marquis might not make it after all. Instead of drafting Marquis higher than normal because he's a Brave, look elsewhere and make youngster Trey Hodges a bench pick. He might be better, if given a chance. -- Eric Karabell Adam Wainwright, RHP Has won back-to-back strikeout titles over the last two seasons. In addition to his plus fastball, he also has a tough curve and impressive changeup. With the Braves pitching depth, he won't be rushed to the big leagues, but could arrive as early as late next season.

Manager: Bobby Cox  Home: Turner Field (50,062)  '02 record: 101-59  Team page | Schedule | Offseason moves

Catcher: Javy Lopez Has fallen off drastically in the last two seasons -- both at the plate and behind it. A career .287 hitter, he batted just .233 last year and his 11 homers were his lowest output for a full season since 1994. Defensively, he had the worst fielding percentage among NL catchers. Were it not for his own option this season, Lopez wouldn't be returning. First Base: Robert Fick After platooning here the last few seasons, the Braves may have an everyday first baseman in Fick, who had shifted to the outfield in his last two seasons in Detroit. Back at a less demanding position, Fick can concentrate more on his hitting. A left-handed hitter, he hit lefties with more success last year. Fick lacks great power, but could still contribute and will be aided by hitting in a solid Atlanta lineup. Second Base: Marcus Giles/Mark DeRosa Despite opportunities, neither player has been able to claim the starting second base job for the Braves, in part because of injuries. Because each is a right-handed hitter, manager Bobby Cox can't employ a strick platoon. DeRosa is the better defender, while Giles gets the edge at the plate. If either one can become more consistent, the full-time job is there for the taking. Third Base: Vinny Castilla Didn't provide much offense last year (.232-12-61) and it appears his terrific bat speed, which once enabled him to catch up to any fastball in the league, has slowed considerably. He compiled the second-lowest batting average of any regular in the league. Still, he plays an outstanding third base and, lacking an alternative, the Braves are willing to put up with his bat. Shortstop: Rafael Furcal Not your typical leadoff hitter (he had a .323 OBP last season), Furcal has very good speed at the top of the order. The Braves would like him to cut down on his swing and put the ball on the ground more. Though erratic at times defensively, Furcal has terrific range and an arm second to none in the NL. If he can improve his selectivity at the plate, Furcal could be a perennial All-Star. Left Field: Chipper Jones Took a while to make the adjustment from third base to left field, but never let it affect him much offensively. He remains one of the game's most consistent and patient hitters (.435 OBP last year). Though he didn't provide much power from the right side (four homers in 100 AB), he still managed to hit .328. With 100 RBI or more in each of the last seven seasons, Jones is among the handful of most dependable run producers in the game. Center Field: Andruw Jones Inarguably the best defensive center field in either league, he also possesses a terrific throwing arm, rare for modern outfielders. Despite great speed, Jones doesn't steal many bases. While Jones has made strides with his power (he's averaged 35 homers and just over 100 RBI in each of the last three years), he still is frustratingly inconsistent at the plate, striking out way too much (135 times last year) and should hit for a far better average. Right Field: Gary Sheffield Following a miserable start, he was a standout over the last four months, helping the Braves to yet another division title by improving his batting average nearly 100 points in the second half. A smart baserunner with a plus throwing arm, Sheffield retains a knack for hitting in the clutch, finishing with the fourth-best batting average in the NL with runners in scoring position. No. 1 Starter: Greg Maddux Baseball's most consistent winner over the last two decades -- 15 seasons in a row of 15 wins or more -- he shows little signs of aging, though he did visit the DL for the first time last season. Efficient (he averaged just under 78 pitchers per start) and smart, Maddux doesn't have to worry about losing velocity as he grows older since he's always won with command and movement. No. 2 Starter: Mike Hampton Obtained from Colorado (via Florida), he will be an interesting test case for pitching coach Leo Mazzone, who's charged with putting Hampton's career back on track after two horrendous seasons with the Rockies. Rescued from the high altitude of Coors Field, Hampton should be able to rely more on his trademark sinker. More than anything, he needs to regain his confidence. No. 3 Starter: Russ Ortiz After beating the Braves twice to oust them from the Division Series, Ortiz now joins Atlanta's staff. Ortiz has front-of-the-rotation stuff, but has had difficulty being consistent. If Mazzone can get him to trust his pitches more and be more aggressive, Ortiz could blossom. No. 4 Starter: Paul Byrd Returns for a second tour of duty with the Braves, a more accomplished pitcher then when he left after the 1998 season. A 17-game winner with lowly Kansas City last year, Byrd won't have to carry the rotation with veterans Maddux and Hampton around. With a history of shoulder woes, he must prove that he can remain healthy. Bullpen: Roberto Hernandez, Kevin Gryboski, Darren Holmes, Ray King, Mike Venafro Perhaps the Braves' biggest strength last year was their bullpen, but they literally have to start over again with a nearly complete different cast this season. Gone are Mike Remlinger, Chris Hammond and Tim Spooneybarger. In are Roberto Hernandez, Ray King and Mike Venafro. Big expectations await this group. Closer: John Smoltz After a rocky first month on the job, Smoltz made the transition from starter to closer look effortless as he established an NL record with 55 saves. Overpowering with his fastball and slider, he averaged better than a strikeout per inning and blew just four saves in 59 opportunities.

-- Sean McAdam, ESPN.com

Record: 101-59 | Finish: 1st in NL West (lost in NLDS to San Francisco) | Results | Statistics: Batting | Pitching Offense (NL rank) Defense (NL rank) 708 runs (10th) Home: 362 runs (8th) Road: 346 (8th) 565 runs allowed (1st) Home: 280 (2nd) Road: 285 (1st) 2002 Stats Leaders   Average: Chipper Jones, .327 Runs: Rafael Furcal, 95 On-base pct: Chipper Jones, .435 Stolen bases: Furcal, 27 Wins: Tom Glavine/Kevin Millwood, 18 Saves: John Smoltz, 55 Home runs: Andruw Jones, 35 RBI: Chipper Jones, 100 Slugging pct.: Chipper Jones, .536 OPS: Chipper Jones, .972 ERA: Greg Maddux, 2.62 Strikeouts: Millwood, 178