Camp Leo has picked up and moved to Fort Lauderdale for this spring, so Mickey Mouse's favorite campers will have to do without their pitching guru Leo Mazzone, who is now with the Orioles. It should make the pitching situation under incoming coach Roger McDowell interesting for Fantasy owners.

The Leo-induced breakout of Jorge Sosa is a prime example of their former coach's genius.

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"I am where I am today thanks to Leo, because he helped turn me into the pitcher I am," Sosa said.

At this point, the Braves say Sosa is a starter, but their vacancy at the closer spot might make his 100 mph stuff a candidate to finish games. McDowell, a former reliever, knows a little about that stuff. Kyle Davies, Anthony Lerew and Chuck James are potential rotational options, if the Braves do go that route.

Spring position battles

Closer -- Chris Reitsma vs. slew of candidates

Barring a trade, Reitsma will enter spring as a placeholder until the Braves develop one of the young arms: John Foster, Macay McBride and Joey Devine. Devine is the youngest and most raw of the bunch, but he's almost certain to have the job once he proves he can dominate the high minors. The potential of him earning the role this spring is slim at this point, but the fact he was drafted as a first-rounder last June to rise quickly to the big leagues leaves the possibility open.

Left field -- Ryan Langerhans vs. Kelly Johnson

This battle was waged in the second half last season, with the streaky Johnson taking a seat for Langerhans. While Johnson has more upside, Langerhans is solid and looks more fit for everyday big-league duty right now. Both are left-handed hitters, so a true platoon won't be in effect here.

Atlanta Braves Outlook
Projected lineup Pos. Projected Rotation
1 Marcus Giles 2B 1 John Smoltz RH
2 Edgar Renteria SS 2 Tim Hudson RH
3 Chipper Jones 3B 3 John Thomson RH
4 Andruw Jones CF 4 Jorge Sosa RH
5 Adam LaRoche 1B 5 Horacio Ramirez LH
6 Jeff Francoeur RF Alt Kyle Davies RH
7 Ryan Langerhans LF Top bullpen arms
8 Brian McCann C CL Chris Reitsma RH
Top bench options SU John Foster LH
R Kelly Johnson OF RP Macay McBride LH
R Wilson Betemit UTL RP Blaine Boyer RH
Rookies/Prospects Age Pos. 2005 high Destination
1 Joey Devine 22 RH RP Majors Triple-A
Fast-rising college closer likely needs time in high minors
2 Anthony Lerew 23 RH SP Majors Triple-A
Live arm could be a candidate to relieve -- possibly close
3 Scott Thorman 24 3B/1B Triple-A Triple-A
Former No. 1 pick no longer overshadowed by Andy Marte
4 Chuck James 24 LH SP Majors Triple-A
Promising, but still behind Davies and Lerew in pecking order
5 Jarrod Saltalamacchia 20 C High A Double-A
Baseball's best C prospect still needs/has time to develop
Best of the rest: OF Brandon Jones, 22; LH RP Macay McBride, 23; 1B James Jurries, 26; RH RP Brad Baker, 25.

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