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MLB Power Rankings: Braves Crack The Top 5 Through April

The first month of the season is in the books. Here's a look at where the Atlanta Braves stand.

By Bill Hanstock
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 30: Eric Hinske #20 of the Atlanta Braves rounds second base against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Turner Field on April 30, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 30: Eric Hinske #20 of the Atlanta Braves rounds second base against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Turner Field on April 30, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves got off to a slow start in 2012, but turned things around in a hurry. They're doing quite well in the National League East heading into May and the analysts agree that the Braves look great.

The latest MLB power rankings from Sports Illustrated have been released. The Braves come in at No. 4 out of the 30 MLB teams. Here's what SI has to say:

Atlanta Braves
WAR Winning Percentage: .634; Current Winning Percentage: .636; WAR Wins: 14; Current Wins: 14

Michael Bourn and Jason Heyward have been tremendous on the basepaths, stealing eight bags apiece. Along with their speed, both are terrific overall players, and with Martin Prado producing in leftfield, the Braves have the third highest outfield WAR in baseball despite having just five home runs among them. The Braves have had some issues in the back of their rotation -- Jair Jurrjens was just sent down to the minors to find his missing velocity -- but the team's top three starters have all been phenomenal. Mike Minor, Brandon Beachy and Tommy Hanson have each posted a FIP below 3.15.

The Braves will certainly hope thing go as well for them in May as they did in April.

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Photographs by coka_koehler used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.