By Kipp Branch

We are approaching the middle of June and our Atlanta Braves are sitting at 17-42 the worst record in all of MLB. We all knew this was going to be a long year, but did we think it would be this bad?

The Braves fired their manager and I was a supporter of that move but look at the offensive stats through 59 games.

Hits: 458 (28th out of 30 teams)
Home Runs: 23 (dead last in MLB) trail the next to last team by 24 home runs.
Run Batted In: 174 (last)
Stolen Bases: 25 (19th)
Runs: 183 (last)
Batting Average: .230 (last)
On-Base Percentage: .295 (28th)
Slugging Percentage: .317 (last)

The numbers don’t lie folks. This team could not punch itself out of a wet paper bag right now. What are the answers?

Start with the draft as the Braves has 5 of the first 80 picks. My hope is this team goes after offense and develops them in the minors so they can contribute in 5 years.

The Braves have one of the better minor league systems in all of baseball. When will some of this talent be ready to contribute? Yes, we know this season was basically written off before it began.

We know this team moves to a new ball park next season, and many avid Braves fans believe that may be the magical solution for a turnaround. The fact of the matter is this team is going to have to spend money on the free agent market to upgrade a woeful offense during the offseason or many years in the basement could follow.

Questions that need answers:
Who will the new manager be?
Will the Braves make a huge splash in the free agent market for 2017?
Will this team lose 120 games in 2016?
Does this team unload Freeman by trading deadline?
Will this team have 60 losses by the All Star break?

I know it feels like I’m piling on these guys, but this was a playoff just a few short years ago, and now they have the worst record in baseball.

I watch the games or at least until I fall asleep on the couch. I know these guys put in max effort and are professional ball players, but they just can’t put up numbers.

The last time I wrote a Braves article they went on a winning streak in April. Maybe this one will produce a winning streak as well.

It is going to be a long summer in Georgia until high school and college football kicks off folks. Please get better soon Braves.

We still love you, but love us back soon please.