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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
745 comments Add your comment
18 Wheels of Love
March 21st, 2009
10:22 am
CC, you should have capitaalized THAT and not DOES. Just sayin…
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 21st, 2009
10:22 am
Random. Exactly. The two party system is broken. Both the Republicans and Democrats are totally corrupt. Our country is no longer divided in the center. Both parties have leaned so far to the left that in reality, the Republicans are on the left and the Democrats are actually Socialists.
Socialism refers to a broad set of economic theories of social organization advocating public or state ownership. Ring any bells as to the conduct of the Obama administration?
America no longer has a right, nor is it right. Our ship is leaning far to one side and it’s about to be swamped if we don’t wake up and fix it.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2009
10:37 am
or at a minimum, no corporate financing
Yes, yes, and more yes. Elections (and policy) shouldn’t be decided on ad campaigns. Ok, I’m done with this. Baseball, anyone?
spotts
March 21st, 2009
10:45 am
Probably would’ve helped if you didn’t throw an apostrophe in “does” too.
Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
March 21st, 2009
10:45 am
Back to baseball.
Here is a prediction from some dude by the name of Jason Lowry. Take it with a grain of salt as he doesn’t even seem to know that Tom Glavine, Tommy Hanson or Jordan Schafer even exist.
http://www.betfirms.com/2009-braves-predictions/
Doc Holiday
March 21st, 2009
10:47 am
Looking at Yankees 3rd or 4th starter which is Joba Chamberlain, his stats have to pop some eyes. I mean, the kid started 12 games, had lots of relieve appearances and yet he managed to have a 2.60 ERA. Thats much better than our #3, of course, only 100 IP is not enough to tell.
Doc Holiday
March 21st, 2009
10:48 am
one more thing………he had 118 Ks in 100 IP.
Lew
March 21st, 2009
11:15 am
Has any Denizen seen Brandon Hicks play-either in the minors last season or while he was at Texas A&M? Kid seems to have some great power and great defense-possibly a replacement for Chipper or at SS with Yunel moved to third. He’s 24, so might be ready relatively soon.
I know he strikes out WAY too much, but TP is working on that (I know, for whatever that may be worth). Anyone with a good evaluation?
Epinephrine
March 21st, 2009
11:20 am
I love the people saying Schafer needs to move up to AAA to see “more advanced pitching”, when the pitching in AA is arguably better.
Steve from OH
March 21st, 2009
11:24 am
Here’s a BA snippet on Hicks (not much, but something):
That scenario led to Hicks attending Texas A&M, where he won the shortstop job and helped turn around the Aggies while hitting .338/.536/.419. Some scouts still questioned his ability to hit, with some suggesting Hicks could be overdrafted due to the lack of college middle infielders in 2007. He wound up going in the third round with the 108th overall pick to the Braves, who believe Hicks is one of several steals they garnered last June.
“Our guys feel like he has a chance to be a special player,” scouting director Roy Clark said. “He’s a strong, athletic shortstop with great range, particularly up the middle, with a strong arm. He can run, and he gets down the line very well. He also has strong hands with a good swing.”
Hicks impressed in short stints at Rookie-level Danville and low Class A Rome in 2007 before opening more eyes during instructional league and spring training, prompting the Braves to have him open 2008 with high Class A Myrtle Beach. A pitcher at San Jacinto who sat in the low 90s, Hicks has one of the organization’s strongest infield arms.
dogsbrekky
March 21st, 2009
11:30 am
Lew – WE SHOULD NOT move Yunel from SS, he is very good there
Hicks could be a likely 3B Chipper replacement candidate from what I have heard if he learns to hit MLB pitching ???
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2009
11:33 am
Coach, actually Cox could decide to go that route (five OFs) at least to begin the season, because they won’t need fifth starter until Apri 18th. But knowing him and knowing the situation with relievers coming off surgeries, etc, if I had to guess now I’d say he’d carry an extra reliever early on. If Moylan’s on opening day roster, I’m pretty certain he’ll carry extra reliever, because he’s said they’ll be careful not to use Moylan back-to-back days right away.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2009
11:34 am
CCrider, well said at 10:14 a.m. regarding politics on the ol’ blog. Very well said.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2009
11:37 am
TexasBrave, no winning with you in argument about Big 12 teams. You said all were higher seeds and supposed to win. Without looking at bracket, I’ll assume you’re correct. But how many ACC teams were higher seeds and lost in first round?
spotts
March 21st, 2009
11:37 am
Brandon Hicks hit .234 in A ball last year….at 22 years old.
David O'Brien
March 21st, 2009
11:39 am
Lew, I’ve stated several times that, having seen Hicks in Fall League and having talked to scouts and Cox and Pendleton about him many times, everyone’s in agreement: The kid plays outstanding SS defense, plus-defense by MLB standards right now, and has very good power. I’ve already suggested they could move him to 3B, as well. Don’t know if that’s being considered or will be, since his SS defense is so good.
Only significant area that needs work is strikeouts. Could certainly stand to hit for higher average, too, but with his power and outstanding defense …
spotts
March 21st, 2009
11:40 am
Coach
How old is Chipper in that picture? Like, 17? I wouldn’t put too much stock in what betfirm.com says about the Braves
mbatl
March 21st, 2009
11:47 am
Hicks is a possibility I guess, but shouldn’t forget Eric Campbell. Interesting, comparing their numbers at MB last year:
Hicks: 342 AB; .234/.335/.480 (.815 OPS); 19 HR; 122 K’s; 45 BB.
Campbell: 330 AB; .255/.362/.479 (.841 OPS); 19 HR; 58 K’s; 50 BB.
Both will be 23 this year (Cambell about a month older).
Campbell is a more disciplined hitter, and is a natural 3B (and from what I’ve heard, a talented one – scoots?).
Campbell has had attitude/discipline problems, but he came back from (yet another) suspension to post a good season in ‘08. Got to hope he’ll mature a little – he’s in a great position as a Braves’ 3B prospect, considering Chipper’s age and injury history.
Random
March 21st, 2009
12:08 pm
DOB (11:39 am): “Lew, I’ve stated several times that, having seen Hicks in Fall League and having talked to scouts and Cox and Pendleton about him many times, everyone’s in agreement: The kid plays outstanding SS defense, plus-defense by MLB standards right now, and has very good power. I’ve already suggested they could move him to 3B”
Didja run that by PJSnort?
DOB</strong (11:34 am): “CCrider, well said at 10:14 a.m. regarding politics on the ol’ blog. Very well said.”
All I can say is, I didn’t start it.
Salty
March 21st, 2009
12:11 pm
But how many ACC teams were higher seeds and lost in first round?
Don’t want to talk about it! Nasty…simply nasty!
Tomas
March 21st, 2009
12:24 pm
DOB, who would you say play’s a better SS, Yunel or Hicks.
Random
March 21st, 2009
12:38 pm
“Duplicate comment detected; it looks as though you’ve already said that”
Eff me, right???????
Even though that comment has never shown up, despite my efforts beginning prior to 0900???????
.
.
.
.
.
Okay.
Deep breath.
Okay.
Nutshell — I agreed with Lew on KJ.
(Prior to his own post.)
‘Nuff said???????
Random
March 21st, 2009
12:39 pm
Sumpins wrong wit’ de blog.
Random
March 21st, 2009
12:45 pm
Okay — switchin from the laptop to the PC for Gameday (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2009_03_21_nynmlb_atlmlb_1) — dodgy conectivity, wot>
Gonzo the Clown
March 21st, 2009
12:53 pm
there’s no way hicks plays better ss than yunel right now. no way.
Carroll Rogers
March 21st, 2009
12:55 pm
Guess who’s back up and running? And got my computer here earlier than I thought, so I posted a new blog which you should see any minute…..Good to be back!
cvbraves
March 21st, 2009
12:56 pm
Today’s Lineup
Jordan Schafer CF
Yunel Escobar SS
Kelly Johnson 2B
Brandon Jones LF
Jeff Francoeur RF
Freddie Freeman 1B
Omar Infante 3B
Dave Ross C
Tom Glavine P
PWHjort
March 21st, 2009
12:56 pm
Escobar is one of the best defensive SS in the game. I don’t know if Hicks is better, though.
nolie
March 21st, 2009
12:58 pm
don’t think we are disagreeing here Mekons
I don’t think we are disagreeing much at all. I agree with most of what you have said, just took exception to your blanket statement that everybody who can play well in AAA can do so in the bigs. It is mostly true but there have been enough exceptions that we can’t automatically assume that for everybody.
Jim
March 21st, 2009
1:04 pm
Can we please STOPPP the political comments, and lighten up a bit on the basketball. Most of us come here to discuss baseball.
nolie
March 21st, 2009
1:13 pm
Where do you think Schafer should play? Roach
tough question. I lean towards starting him in AAA for a couple hundred at bats for a bunch of reasons most of which have already been mentioned on the board. Especially with AAA team so close to the Ted he would be quickly available if they are having problems with the Braves CFer. I’m not ultra hard on that concept though, I agree that Schafer has looked very good this spring and I can understyand why y’all want him up right away, I just think that a little AAA seeasoning helps most players in the long run.
Most teams don’t place all that much emphasis on ST numbers. Generally only those players already on the cusp are gonna be affected. For instance, Heyward could hit .500 with half a dozenn homers and still be kept in the minors, but the Schafer/Anderson thing is probably up in the air at least to some extent.
I will be a bit surprised though if he and Hanson don’t start the year at AAA unless ST injuries rear their ugly head. We’ll see.
mbatl
March 21st, 2009
1:15 pm
“Can we please STOPPP the political comments”
Amen. You guys who keep posting political stuff, and many of you are “regulars” who should (and do) know the policy – do you think that I, or every other person who blogs here, doesn’t have political opinions? Of course we do. But most of us agree to the informal rules of the blog. Some of you are just too insightful to be held back by such restrictions, I guess.
Politics is an emotional and incendiary issue. Every time one of you guys posts your views, I’m very tempted to respond, and I’m sure most other bloggers are as well. But most of us can confine that discussion to appropriate forums, whether that’s around the breakfast table with our families, at dinner with friends, or posting on blogs that invite such issues.
Give it a rest.
Doc Holiday
March 21st, 2009
1:25 pm
Poor glavine……he is giving his 1st steps backwards in the 2nd
mbatl
March 21st, 2009
1:37 pm
Brandon Jones – you can’t hope to stop him, just gotta try to contain him!
Jay212033
March 21st, 2009
1:57 pm
Wow Frenchy with a bases clearing double wow!!!
JOE
March 21st, 2009
1:57 pm
FRENCHY DELIVERS have a day!!
Doc Holiday
March 21st, 2009
1:57 pm
Braves 5
Muts 0
Guess its only ST.
Way to go JF…….bases clearing double
Doc Holiday
March 21st, 2009
1:59 pm
KJ makes a great play on a foul ball pop up………..
Are times changing?
BB5795
March 21st, 2009
2:43 pm
Is it my computer or is something wrong with this page? I can’t get it to refresh after the 1:59 blog. That can’t be the last one, can it?
BB5795
March 21st, 2009
2:44 pm
Maybe it can. I can read mine. Sorry.
BB5795
March 21st, 2009
3:03 pm
Hey, I guess I’m pulling an “Anders”. I’m driving this mean puppy now. However, being I’m solo, I can’t even take it in the car pool lane. Life sucks.
dogsbrekky
March 21st, 2009
3:37 pm
How did Glav look today…
anyone ?
Kentavo
March 21st, 2009
3:47 pm
I saw Hicks last year (I live in Myrtle) and he’s got some pop – to hit 19 homers playing at the ballpark here is saying something – it faces due east, directly into the wind blowing in from the ocean.
Also saw Hanson (once) during his cup of coffee and am looking forward to seeing Heyward and Freeman (for about five minutes before they get called up).
phillyfandoc
March 22nd, 2009
10:14 am
Your braves still have issues in your rotation,like the Mutts. Lowe will help but you can’t think Glavine will help? can you?? Marlins and CHAMP’S will be fighting for first. As the Mutts and you all will be fightin’ for 3rd place. Blad to be here, hope we can get a long. Go VILLANOVA!!!!!!!
phillyfandoc
March 22nd, 2009
10:18 am
Also It’s Glad to be here.
And Duke will not get to far. They have no inside presence. They live and die by shooting and denfense. But they have no NBA players on the team that will be Allstar’s.