Atlanta Magic

The Braves have won 13 consecutive National League East titles thanks in part to their knack for bringing out the best in the players they acquire. Below are nine such players over the last six years who showed substantial improvement after coming to Atlanta. (Listed first are the stats for the year prior to the player joining the Braves, followed by his numbers from his first full season with the Atlanta organization.)

MIKE REMLINGER, LHP
1998: 8-15, 4.82 ERA in 35 games (28 starts) with Reds
1999: 10-1, 2.37 ERA in 73 appearances with Braves

JOHN BURKETT, RHP
1999: 9-8, 5.62 ERA in 30 games (25 starts) with Rangers
2000: 10-6, 4.89 ERA in 31 games (22 starts) with Braves

JULIO FRANCO, 1B*
2001: .437, 18 HRs, 90 RBIs in 110 games in Mexican league
2002: .284, 6 HRs, 30 RBIs in 125 games with Braves

CHRIS HAMMOND, LHP
2001: 10-4, 2.95 ERA in 49 starts in Triple A
2002: 7-2, 0.95 ERA in 63 appearances with Braves

MIKE HAMPTON, LHP*
2002: 7-15, 6.15 ERA in 30 starts with Rockies
2003: 14-8, 3.84 ERA in 31 starts with Braves

J.D. DREW, RF
2003: .289, 15 HRs, 42 RBIs in 100 games with Cardinals
2004: .305, 31 HRs, 93 RBIs in 145 games with Braves

ELI MARRERO, OF
2003: .224, 2 HRs, 20 RBIs in 41 games with Cardinals
2004: .320, 10 HRs, 40 RBIs in 90 games with Braves

JOHN THOMSON, RHP*
2003: 13-14, 4.85 ERA in 35 starts with Rangers
2004: 14-8, 3.72 ERA in 33 starts with Braves

JARET WRIGHT, RHP
2003: 1-5, 8.37 ERA in 39 appearances with Padres
2004: 15-8, 3.28 ERA in 32 starts with Braves