2001 Record: 88-74, 1st in NL East, lost NLCS to Diamondbacks 2001 Results | 2002 Schedule | 2002 Roster | 2001 Statistics: Batting | Pitching Offense (NL rank) Defense (NL rank) 729 runs (13th) Home: 354 runs (10th) Road: 375 (8th) 643 runs allowed (1st) Home: 3.66 ERA (2nd) Road: 3.53 ERA (2nd) 2001 Stats Leaders   Average: Chipper Jones, .330 Runs: Chipper Jones, 113 On-base pct: Chipper Jones, .427 Stolen bases: Rafael Furcal, 22 Wins: Greg Maddux, 17 Saves: John Rocker, 19 Home runs: Chipper Jones, 38 RBI: Andruw Jones, 104 Slugging pct.: Chipper Jones, .605 OPS: Chipper Jones, 1.032 ERA: John Burkett, 3.04 Strikeouts: Burkett, 187

ESPN's Take Q: How will John Smoltz do as the full-time closer, now that John Rocker and Steve Karsay are no longer in Atlanta? He should be terrific. John Smoltz is one of the greatest pitchers and greatest competitors in recent baseball history. He saved 10 of 11 games last year and had an excellent strikeout-to-walk ratio of 57-to-10. He's had a problem with his thumbnail this spring, but I don't expect him to have any problems. -- Dave Campbell  Jayson Stark's Crystal Ball Chipper Jones and Gary Sheffield will become the first Braves teammates to hit 40 homers apiece since 1973 (the year Hank Aaron, Davey Johnson and Darrell Evans all did it). Considering the power output Marcus Giles had in half a season last year, you might think he's his brother Brian of Pittsburgh. Giles is no fluke, and considering only one second baseman in the majors topped 22 homers, Giles could be a great buy. Don't forget about Kevin Millwood on draft day. Last year's injury-filled season aside, he was a high-teens winner before that and considered the heir to the Braves' throne at the top of the rotation. He feels good this spring, and should be in demand. -- Eric Karabell Batting order Rafael Furcal, SS Marcus Giles, 2B Chipper Jones, LF Gary Sheffield, RF Andruw Jones, CF Vinny Castilla, 3B Javy Lopez, C Julio Franco / Wes Helms, 1B Bench B.J. Surhoff, Wes Helms/Julio Franco, Keith Lockhart, Mark DeRosa, Paul Bako Rotation Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Kevin Millwood, Jason Marquis, Albie Lopez Bullpen John Smoltz, Mike Remlinger, Kerry Ligtenberg, Darren Holmes, Tim Spooneybarger Wilson Betemit, SS The switch-hitting Betemit thoroughly impressed at Double-A last season, hitting .355. Is just 20 years old and believed to be a star in the making.

Catcher: Javy Lopez Missed parts of last season with an assortment of injuries and wasn't even on the Braves roster for the Division Series against the Astros due to a sprained ankle. Above-average offensively for a catcher. Not considered a good defensive catcher. Expect to see the newly acquired Henry Blanco behind the plate whenever Greg Maddux pitches. NL Position Ranking: 5th First Base: Julio Franco / Wes Helms The 43-year-old Franco (maybe even older) was signed out of the Mexican League at the end of August and hit .300 in 25 games. If Helms plays well this spring, he could very well win the job over Franco. NL Position Ranking: 15th Second Base: Marcus Giles Became the regular second baseman in mid-July and played well, cementing his spot as the starter. Isn't the offensive player his brother Brian is with the Pirates, but showed signs last year that he has great potential as a second-base stick. NL Position Ranking: 6th Third Base: Vinny Castilla Signed as a free agent after having a big year in Houston (25 homers, 91 RBI). But can he do the same this year playing in a predominantly a pitcher's park in Turner Field? NL Position Ranking: 15th Shortstop: Rafael Furcal A full season with Furcal at the top of the lineup could be just as much of a lift to the Braves' offense as the addition of Gary Sheffield. Led the Braves in stolen bases with 22 despite missing nearly the entire final three months of the regular season with a dislocated left shoulder. NL Position Ranking: 3rd Left Field: Chipper Jones Moves to left field -- his first venture into the outfield -- to make room for Vinny Castilla at third base. Led the Braves in nearly all offensive categories last year and with the addition of Sheffield could become even more of an offensive force. NL Position Ranking: 2nd Center Field: Andruw Jones His batting average plummeted (to .251) in 2001 as did his on-base percentage (.312). Needs to improve on his strike zone judgment (just 56 walks in 625 at-bats). Remains perhaps the game's best defensive center fielder. NL Position Ranking: 4th Right Field: Gary Sheffield His presence in the lineup should do wonders for the Braves' struggling offense. Has had three straight 100-plus RBI seasons and teams with Chipper Jones in the No. 3 and 4 spots in the lineup makes for arguably the best 1-2 in all of baseball. NL Position Ranking: 3rd No. 1 Starter: Greg Maddux Has won 17 or more games in each of the last five years and last season posted the fourth-lowest ERA in the majors (3.05). His ability to have precise control (just 27 walks in 2001) continues to be his biggest asset. NL Ranking among starters: 2nd No. 2 Starter: Tom Glavine Came on strong in the second half of last season, going 9-2 with a 2.53 ERA after the All-Star break. Also won his final five decisions. NL Ranking among starters: 8th No. 3 Starter: Kevin Millwood Has had subpar campaigns over the last two seasons and enters this year needing to show improvement and good health or else face a possible end of his time in Atlanta. NL Ranking among starters: 23rd No. 4 Starter: Jason Marquis Enters his second year in the majors and first as a full-time starter. Talked about as being the next of the great Braves pitchers and we project a big breakthrough season for the young (23) flamethrower. NL Ranking among starters: 18th Bullpen: Mike Remlinger, Kerry Ligtenberg, Darren Holmes, Tim Spooneybarger The left-handed Remlinger returns as the primary set-up man. Had an outstanding year a season ago, posting a 2.76 ERA. Was especially effective against right-handed hitters, holding them to a .194 batting average against. Spooneybarger, a rookie, will be asked to replace the departed Steve Karsay as the primary right-handed set-up man. NL Position Ranking: 2nd Closer: John Smoltz Is now entrenched as the full-time closer thanks to the three-year, $30 million contract he signed in the offseason. Was 12-for-13 in save opportunities, including 2-for-2 in the postseason. The Braves can only hope his second career turns out to be as good as his first one was as a starter (160-116 record as a starter). NL Position Ranking: 5th

Overall Power Index Rankings (NL rank):
Position: 6.63 (2nd) | Pitching: 1.83 (1st)

-- Matt Szefc