What Is It With Braves' Backstops?

Before the 2015 season, catcher A.J. Pierzynski inked a cheap two-year deal with the rebuilding Atlanta Braves to provide some stability for the juvenile pitching staff and a veteran's perspective for the rest of the roster's youths.

At 38, little was expected of Pierzynski, whose sub-replacement level performance the previous season had yielded no other offers for work.

And then, Pierzynski proceeded to author the best age 38 season behind the plate in history.  Worth two-and-a half wins with the bat, it was the third best season in Pierzynski's 19-year career. 

Fast forward two years as the rebuild continues in Georgia. Braves brass signed Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey and paired journeyman catchers Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki to shore up the roster until the cavalry comes -- or matures.

Prior to this season, the two backstops had produced one above average season with the bat in their combined 18 campaigns.

But the Atlanta traffic seems to have inspired Flowers and Suzuki. The former is producing 135 points of OPS above his career average and handling a pitching staff -- including knuckleballer Dickey -- with aplomb. The latter is slugging .500, far and away his career best.

Combined, the duo has smacked 22 home runs and knocked home 73 runners, earning four-and-a-half wins between them. The tandem ranks as the best in baseball.

Enjoy it while you can, Braves. The year after Pierzynski's record-setting season, he hit .219 with two homers and cost the team more than a win. Flowers and Suzuki are too young for that kind of crash, but don't be surprised if they return to normal.