As the Braves Improve, So Will Heyward

   Last season, high expectations swirled around Braves rookie Jason Heyward before he ever stepped into the batter's box. Those expectations exploded when Heyward hit a home run in his first ever major league at-bat. By seasons end, many were somewhat disappointed with Heyward who hit below .300 with less than 20 HR's and finished second to Buster Posey in Rookie of the Year voting. Heyward isn't completely to blame for his somewhat mediocre season. The Braves' lineup suffered when Chipper Jones went down with a horrific knee injury that ended his season. Troy Glaus struggled and Heyward was relied upon heavily to help carry the Braves' offense. This season, the Braves will have a formidable lineup that will give Heyward an opportunity to put up much better stats as he moves from 2nd to 6th in the lineup. With players like Chipper Jones, Brian McCann and Dan Uggla batting in the 3, 4 and 5 spots respectively, Heyward will be primed to drive in runners. In 2010, Heyward hit .308 with 60 RBI's and 6 HR's with runners on base. Also, Heyward only had 39 at-bats in the 6th spot, but he hit .359 with 6 HR's and 11 RBI's! The move from the 2 to the 6 spot, plus the addition of Uggla and the return of Chipper, will equal a break-out year for the Jay Hey Kid.