Braves release Proctor, call up flamethrower Vizcaino
MIAMI – The end of maligned reliever Scott Proctor’s Braves career triggered the much-anticipated arrival of flamethrower Arodys Vizcaino, a top prospect called up Wednesday from Triple-A Gwinnett.
The Braves released Proctor and summoned Vizcaino, a 20-year-old right-hander with a fastball that’s been clocked as high as 101 mph. He arrived at Sun Life Stadium about two hours before Tuesday night’s series finale against the Marlins.
Vizcaino was 5-5 with a 3.06 ERA, 100 strikeouts and 28 walks in 97 innings this season at three minor-league levels, including eight strikeouts with no walks and one earned run in seven relief innings for Gwinnett. He made a good impression with some Braves at spring training.
“He was throwing 100 [mph] this spring,” reliever Jonny Venters said. “I didn’t get to see him pitch a lot. But there’s no doubt that he has an electric heater. I don’t know about his other stuff, but I heard he’s got a good breaking ball. And he seemed like a real good kid. I’m pumped. He’s going to help.”
Vizcaino is the youngest of the Braves’ “big four” group of pitching prospects that includes Julio Teheran, Mike Minor and Randall Delgado. He is generally ranked as the second-best prospect of the group, slightly behind Teheran.
“I saw enough of him in the spring that I liked him,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said, “and our reports say he’s been outstanding.”
The Braves finally cut the cord with Proctor, 34, who had a 6.44 ERA in 31 appearances this season and was 1-3 with a 9.16 ERA and .329 opponents’ average in his last 18 games.
Signed as a free agent after the 2009 season, Proctor never regained effectiveness after two elbow surgeries forced him to miss all of the ‘09 season with Florida.
“It just didn’t happen,” Gonzalez said. “Hopefully he gets another opportunity, which I think he will because he still throws the ball pretty good.”
Proctor finished with a 6.43 ERA in 37 appearances over parts of two seasons with the Braves. The final straw came Monday against the Marlins, when he entered in the ninth inning with an 8-3 lead and gave up two walks and a two-run homer.
The Braves had to bring in closer Craig Kimbrel to get the final two outs in that game.
Now Proctor’s been cleared out, and the Braves added a (very) young power arm to a bullpen that can use reinforcement for the workhorse trio of Kimbrel and lefties Venters and Eric O’Flaherty.
Vizcaino, a former New York Yankees prospect, made 17 starts before being moved to the bullpen in early July. The Braves said at the time that it would help them limit his innings, since was on pace to far surpass his previous career-high workload.
The muscular 6-foot Dominican is not as slender as many Latin pitching prospects his age.
Vizcaino has been starter for most of four minor-league season and could be again in the future. He’s still developing a change-up to go with his outstanding fastball – typically it’s in the 94-96 mph range — and sharp curveball, and for now he seems best suited for the bullpen.
He began the season in high-Class A Lynchburg, after missing most of the second half last season with a partially torn elbow ligament that didn’t require surgery. That injury raised caution flags, but Vizcaino was back pitching by the end of the season.
He pitched an impressive inning at the Futures Game during All-Star weekend in Phoenix, where he told the Journal-Constitution that his elbow had been fine all season and was no longer an issue.
Vizcaino was the Yankees’ third-best prospect before being traded to the Braves in the December 2009 deal for Javier Vazquez. The Braves also got outfielder Melky Cabrera and lefty Michael Dunn in that deal; both Cabrera and Dunn were traded again after the 2010 season.
Vizcaino is the last of the Braves’ four top pitching prospects to reach the majors. Teheran and Delgado made spot starts this season, and Minor was temporarily in the rotation during 2010 and is currently filling in for injured starter Jair Jurrjens.
In 2007, Teheran, Vizcaino and Rangers signee Martin Perez were the top three international amateur pitching prospects. The Yankees signed Vizcaino for $800,000, and the Braves signed Teheran for $850,000.
The end of reliever Scott Proctor’s Braves career triggered the much-anticipated arrival of flamethrower Arodys Vizcaino, a top prospect called up Wednesday from Triple-A Gwinnett.
The Braves released Proctor and summoned Vizcaino, a 20-year-old right-hander with a fastball that’s been clocked as high as 101 mph. He arrived at Sun Life Stadium about two hours before Tuesday night’s series finale against the Marlins.
Vizcaino was 5-5 with a 3.06 ERA, 100 strikeouts and 28 walks in 97 innings this season at three minor-league levels, including eight strikeouts with no walks and one earned run in seven relief innings for Gwinnett. He left an impression with some Braves during spring training.
“He was throwing 100 [mph] this spring,” reliever Jonny Venters said. “I didn’t get to see him pitch a lot. But there’s no doubt that he has an electric heater. I don’t know about his other stuff, but I heard he’s got a good breaking ball. And he seemed like a real good kid. I’m pumped. He’s going to help.”
Vizcaino is the youngest of the Braves’ “big four” group of pitching prospects that includes Julio Teheran, Mike Minor and Randall Delgado. He is generally ranked as the second-best prospect of the group, slightly behind Teheran.
“I saw enough of him in the spring that I liked him,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said, “and our reports say he’s been outstanding.”
The Braves finally cut the cord with Proctor, 34, who had a 6.44 ERA in 31 appearances this season and was 1-3 with a 9.16 ERA and .329 opponents’ average in his last 18 games.
Signed as a free agent after the 2009 season, Proctor never regained effectiveness after two elbow surgeries forced him to miss all of the ‘09 season with Florida.
“It just didn’t happen,” Gonzalez said. “Hopefully he gets another opportunity, which I think he will because he still throws the ball pretty good.”
Proctor finished with a 6.43 ERA in 37 appearances over parts of two seasons with the Braves. The final straw came Monday against the Marlins, when he entered in the ninth inning with an 8-3 lead and gave up two walks and a two-run homer.
The Braves had to bring in closer Craig Kimbrel to get the final two outs in that game.
Now Proctor’s been cleared out, and the Braves added a (very) young power arm to a bullpen that can use some reinforcement for the workhorse trio of Kimbrel and lefties Venters and Eric O’Flaherty.
Vizcaino, a former New York Yankees prospect, made 17 starts before being moved to the bullpen in early July. The Braves said at the time that it would help them limit his innings, since was on pace to far surpass his previous career-high workload.
The muscular 6-foot Dominican is more sturdily built than many Latin pitching prospects his age.
Vizcaino has been starter for most of four minor-league season and could be again in the future. He’s still developing a change-up to go with his outstanding fastball – typically it’s in the 94-96 mph range — and sharp curveball, and for now he seems best suited for the bullpen.
He began the season in high-Class A Lynchburg, after missing most of the second half last season with a partially torn elbow ligament that didn’t require surgery. That injury raised caution flags, but Vizcaino was back pitching by the end of the season.
He pitched an impressive inning at the Futures Game during All-Star weekend in Phoenix, where he told the Journal-Constitution that his elbow had been fine all season and was no longer an issue.
Vizcaino was the Yankees’ third-best prospect before being traded to the Braves in the December 2009 deal for Javier Vazquez. The Braves also got outfielder Melky Cabrera and lefty Michael Dunn in that deal; both Cabrera and Dunn were traded again after the 2010 season.
Vizcaino is the last of the Braves’ four top pitching prospects to reach the majors. Teheran and Delgado made spot starts this season, and Minor was temporarily in the rotation during 2010 and is currently filling in for injured starter Jair Jurrjens.
In 2007, Teheran, Vizcaino and Rangers signee Martin Perez were the top three international amateur pitching prospects. The Yankees signed Vizcaino for $800,000, and the Braves signed Teheran for $850,000.
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237 comments Add your comment
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
11:20 am
IT’S ABOUT DAMN TIME
NickB
August 10th, 2011
11:20 am
this news makes my happy place tickle!!!
Alex Jinks
August 10th, 2011
11:22 am
‘Merica!!!!! F Yeah!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWS-FoXbjVI
Braves in 11
August 10th, 2011
11:23 am
3rd!
Memphis
August 10th, 2011
11:24 am
FINALLY! I love the fact that we bring in another weapon out of the pen who can actually strike people out. Kimbrel,Venters,O, and now Vizcaino.
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
11:25 am
Now it’s time to get the rest of the Future Aces up. Yes, Lowe beat the Marlins the other night, but look at their lineup. With the exception of Sanchez and Stanton it was a Triple A lineup. Hanson is hurting and needs rest. Waiting until September may backfire…
Scott Proctor
August 10th, 2011
11:27 am
I’ll miss you guys and everyone on here, thanks for sticking with me the entire time. I’ll be back next year bigger and better
bruce mac
August 10th, 2011
11:27 am
He will probably need to go 3 tonight. Braves starters except Hudson are all 6 inning guys. Our bullpen is going to blow up by October. Wait and see.
Mel from SW Atlanta
August 10th, 2011
11:27 am
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Braves release Proctor, call up flamethrower Vizcaino | Raw Sports - Atlanta Braves
August 10th, 2011
11:28 am
[...] Atlanta Braves [...]
Braves in 11
August 10th, 2011
11:28 am
Bruce,
The irony of your statement there. Guess what buddy….Hudson is pitching tonight.
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
11:28 am
Let’s not forget Varvaro. He is a flamethrower too and averages almost 2 Ks per inning.
Leave Linebrink on the DL until September when rosters expand. Add Moylan to this mix and you have the best and deepest bullpen in baseball.
PMC
August 10th, 2011
11:29 am
Awesome, lets hope he gets his chance to make the Yankees pay for thier lack of faith.
Chop101
August 10th, 2011
11:30 am
Thank God!
bruce mac
August 10th, 2011
11:30 am
And he can’t go 8 everytime out either.
don
August 10th, 2011
11:31 am
A positive move. Whether Vizcaino is effective or not, it is time to give him a chance. He needs to expeerience the atmosphere of the major leagues. Proctor was not going to contribute. Nonetheless, I wish him the best.
jokurone
August 10th, 2011
11:32 am
we need to flush all those retreads and go with the young guns!!
bravos007
August 10th, 2011
11:32 am
wow best news of the season…i think proctor was starting to impact the health of our big 3….last straw
Braves in 11
August 10th, 2011
11:32 am
Lol the Yankees had no lack of faith in Vizcaino….they traded him for Vasquez who was coming off a dominant season and desperately needed pitching help and the pitching market was thin that offseason.
Proctopus
August 10th, 2011
11:33 am
BE GONE! AWESOME NEWS!
Heb11:1
August 10th, 2011
11:34 am
Best wishes to the youngster.
PJ
August 10th, 2011
11:34 am
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I got gout
August 10th, 2011
11:35 am
Im sorry but he wasn’t worth the project money we gave him. He was awful. I mean didn’t we all groan whenever Fredi brought him in? maybe he was just there to b a vet for younguns to talk to.
The Braves better start buying or promotin in the bullpen. O’Ventbrel cant do everything. And if we just waitin on Moylan…..I mean come on….we gotta get playoff ready now.
Great move.
tony
August 10th, 2011
11:36 am
so basically we got dan uggla, vizcaino and one year of melky cabrera for javier vazquez and omar infante.wren is a genuis.
michael
August 10th, 2011
11:39 am
lowe reminds me of clint walker….bad actor, bad pitcher
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
11:39 am
That’s what i’ve been saying, Tony. Everyone rips on Wren, but the guy really knows how to evaluate and get guys like Uggla, JJ, and Bourn for pennies on the dollar. Genius!
BravesfansinNC
August 10th, 2011
11:40 am
Great move by the Braves to release him.Now had the Braves would have release him long time ago.By now the braves would have been much closer to the Phillies in the standing then they are right now.Please Phillies sign Scott Proctor give the man a job.And make sure to let him pitch so the Braves can come much to you in the standing .Well the only positive thing that I will remember about Scott Proctor playing for the braves.In the game against the pirates in the B19 that Proctor had the game winning RBI for the Braves.Maybe he should change passion and become a batter.Because for someone who is a relief pitcher he can sure Hit
J-bone
August 10th, 2011
11:41 am
apparently Braves’ mgt is finally reading the ajc blogs.
the truth...
August 10th, 2011
11:41 am
Thankfully for the team Proctor is gone.
Sorry for him as a person and ballplayer because he worked and worked and just couldn’t make it happern. Some times our bodies don’t or won’t co-operate…the older I get the more I know that truth.
Great for Vizcaino
And you mean spirited bloggers, remember if he doesn’t live up to your “perfection” standing that he is a kid and working his a&& off to get here…living a dream, and not all dreams are without pain and hard work…………and a break or two as well.
Chris White
August 10th, 2011
11:42 am
welcome to the bigs kid… looking forward to watching you get these guys out.
honest_abe
August 10th, 2011
11:42 am
get emmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Peter
August 10th, 2011
11:42 am
Hallelujah!!
BooBoo
August 10th, 2011
11:42 am
It really does not matter how fast he throws. Proctor’s problem was not being able to throw the ball over the plate. Then, when he did, he slowed it down so it could be hit hard. Hopefully, this kid won’t be wild.
The Dude Abides
August 10th, 2011
11:48 am
There’s the bullpen arm we were scouring the market for, I expected Vizcaino to be called up soon. Now get Omar Infante off waivers when he comes off the DL.
Joey
August 10th, 2011
11:49 am
Vizcaino? Who’s he?
I’ll answer that. He’s the former #1 pitching prospect for the Yankees and was the 3rd piece of the Braves/Yankees trade that some Frank Wren bashers still refer to as the “Vazquez for Melky trade.”
The 2nd piece? Only Mike Dunn, who was sent to the Marlins in the Uggla trade.
Dumbass Frank Wrenn!
Reason
August 10th, 2011
11:49 am
Braves starters except Hudson are all 6 inning guys.
So are 98 percent of the guys in the big leagues now. Whats your point?
On Scott Proctor's Departure
August 10th, 2011
11:50 am
Unfortunate to see that it ended this way, because it appears Scott Proctor gave everything he had to work his way back. However, bullpen definitely needed a different look.
retired broke and .......
August 10th, 2011
11:50 am
hey jenks what’s the code to include a link………..
Michael Procton
August 10th, 2011
11:51 am
Well, tony, we actually only got a year of Uggla. We’re paying heavily for him after this year.
Scott from Fairburn
August 10th, 2011
11:52 am
Proctor and McClouth will look good in Royalls blue …
Reason
August 10th, 2011
11:52 am
apparently Braves’ mgt is finally reading the ajc blogs.
I seriously doubt that. They are baseball people not fans.
Most fans know nothing about the game
NickB
August 10th, 2011
11:54 am
Vizcaino appears to have the goods, good K/9 and low BB/9. I wouldn’t be suprised to see a few early shakes , but his minor league # say he should be at worst effective and at best, kimbrelesque dominant almost.
Linebrink
Moylan
Sherrill
Vizcaino
O’Flaherty
Venters
Kimbrel
that bullpen should be just unhittably nasty. Sherrill is the best LOOGY in the game according to his numbers, Linebrink as at least good against righties, Moylan is a great groundd baller for when you need a double play in a big spot. The rest are dominant style arms who can cut a swath through any lineup….. I like it, best bullpen in braves history maybe
The Dude Abides
August 10th, 2011
11:58 am
We’re gonna have a logjam next year when we get Medlen back.
Lewis Grizzard's Ghost
August 10th, 2011
11:58 am
Proctor just didn’t have it anymore … glad we have options
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
11:59 am
Actually, we got the rights to negotiate a long term deal with Uggla. That is the point.
Wren is a warlock. He gets these guys for damn near nothing. Even the McLouth deal was highway robbery at the time. It didn’t work out, but getting an All-Star, Gold Glove CF in his prime for a marginal pitcher and a throw-in prospect is insane.
Vain Jangling
August 10th, 2011
11:59 am
The future is now!
The Living Legend
August 10th, 2011
12:00 pm
Third best news of the year behind:
1. Braves have a leadoff and CF not named Nate or Jordan
2. Uggie is HOTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UGA 1999
August 10th, 2011
12:01 pm
TEHRAN IS NEXT…..SEE YA LOWE!
C'Mon Man
August 10th, 2011
12:02 pm
HAHA x2 Living Legend
daxxed
August 10th, 2011
12:03 pm
The Braves should have traded, Proctor, Minor and Hayward to the Astros for Pence and still did the Bourn deal….Just think about it..
Three Keys To Braves Pitching Success
August 10th, 2011
12:03 pm
Lowe’s Head, Hanson’s Shoulder, Jurrgens’ Knee .. Fix them all and Braves go a long way .. Hudson and Beachy have it together .. Beach has the demeanor of a young Greg Maddux ..
Jeff Bennett
August 10th, 2011
12:03 pm
good thats what you get
Matt
August 10th, 2011
12:04 pm
You know, I’m not happy the guy lost his job, but he was absolutely stinking up the bullpen. Maybe he’ll get the chance to catch on with another organization. It will interesting to see VIzcaino. Our bullpen has got the ability to bring some serious heat.
Weaseal
August 10th, 2011
12:06 pm
Maybe God does like Baseball …. I thought he only liked Notre Dame Football !!!
tmc
August 10th, 2011
12:06 pm
This is move that is about a month to late.
But thankfully it happened.
JoshTown
August 10th, 2011
12:07 pm
This team just gets younger and younger, I love it. Also, the absolute best of luck to Scott Proctor in the future. Just couldn’t turn it around unfortunately. Welcome to Atlanta, Arodys!
Charlotte Brave
August 10th, 2011
12:07 pm
I am not one to suggest a guy should be fired, but everytime I saw Proctor coming in from the bullpen I knew the game was going to get out of hand. He was bad for a long time.
alex
August 10th, 2011
12:08 pm
@the truth;agree with your sentiment about proctor, sad to see an injured vetern with so much youthful potential fail…We can all relate to that”it is hard to fail,but it is worse never to have tried to succeed”TR
The Living Legend
August 10th, 2011
12:08 pm
UGA 1999,
I will be shocked if Lowe goes any place, other than maybe the pen for a bit (and that is doubtful). Carried the team in September, and has big time postseason potential/experience.
Good Riddance
August 10th, 2011
12:09 pm
Good Riddance to Proctor and WELCOME ARODYS!!!!!!!!
Peter
August 10th, 2011
12:09 pm
Proctor did have one good game against Pittsburgh in the 19 inning game, but he has been horrible otherwise.
danny
August 10th, 2011
12:10 pm
as Jim Powell says “We hvae sit down, shut up and go home sitting in our bullpen” … what name should Vizcanio get…?
GaryinBham
August 10th, 2011
12:10 pm
Great move! You could see it coming when V. went to the bullpen at Gwinnett. Scott Proctor gave it his best, once a dynamic arm. That’s past now, let it go and don’t abuse the guy anymore. As for any other callups, we better wait and see how Tommy really is. We may need more troops yet.
Kip
August 10th, 2011
12:11 pm
And all these boys are a few years from peaking…..think when freeman, a healthy Heyward, are 23-25yrs old…..kimbrel gets some more experience, and all these kids pitching get their “grown man” strength. Phillies peaking now…….Good things to come for Atlanta!
Fred
August 10th, 2011
12:11 pm
retired broke and …….
August 10th, 2011
11:50 am
hey jenks what’s the code to include a link………..
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Either type or copy paste the link you want, including the http:// part and put it in your reply. Make sure there is a space before or after the address. Usually easier to just part in on it’s own line.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KQydlJ-qc
Peter
August 10th, 2011
12:12 pm
Have we been 20 games over .500 yet this year? If not, tonight is the first opportunity to get there.
LET’S GO BRAVES!!
Peter
August 10th, 2011
12:13 pm
danny
August 10th, 2011
12:10 pm
as Jim Powell says “We hvae sit down, shut up and go home sitting in our bullpen” … what name should Vizcanio get…?
Vizcaino is the cab fare
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
12:13 pm
Proctor is a good kid. He knew he wasn’t performing. He saw the writing on the wall. I wish him the best of luck. Someone will jump on him. He still throws upper 90s, its just too straight. In a less stressful situation he may be able to learn a 2 seamer and throw low 90s with movement. He would be more effective in short relief.
Good luck Proctologist!
ChrisfromSacramento
August 10th, 2011
12:14 pm
Lets hope he throws strikes!
Browncoat
August 10th, 2011
12:14 pm
My prayers have been answered. Bye Scott.
Old Jaxs Braves Fan
August 10th, 2011
12:16 pm
My question (as with others): Why did it take so long to figure out that poor Scott was about as much a professional major league pitcher as I (or otehrs) are Nuclear Physicists…
Gimpah
August 10th, 2011
12:19 pm
What’s the difference between Coxy & Fredi? Getting rid of Proctor.
Dr. Phil
August 10th, 2011
12:19 pm
Proctor certainly had a chance, but it is bad luck to gloat. Good by and good luck, Proctor.
JoeFan
August 10th, 2011
12:24 pm
Hanson and JJ injured, Lowe, who knows? That leaves the Braves with Beachy, Minor and Hudson to get them to the playoffs. I wouldn’t want to go the next 45 days depending on that group and possibly two others with limited or no MLB experience.
ryan c
August 10th, 2011
12:24 pm
Melky wasnt traded, was he? Even the Royals couldnt be that stupid.
Supes
August 10th, 2011
12:25 pm
Great decision by Wren and the Braves organization…Proctor – thanks but no thanks…he’ll fit right in with the Royals at some point. Otherwise known as Braves “midwest”
If Hanson needs to go on the DL we’ll see Teheran soon enough…good thing the Braves didn’t do the Pence deal with the “stros” and traded away some of these young arms who could very well help us get into the playoffs this season!
beebee
August 10th, 2011
12:25 pm
Peter, I think there have been other chances to get to 20 games over.
I may be wrong tho.
I wanna see the team reach a .600 winning percentage or better.
Of course what I want MORE is for them to make the playoffs, and not go in there barely making it.
bee
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
12:26 pm
There is a ripple effect to having guys like Proctologist continually fail. Kimbrel should’ve gotten the night off Monday. 6 run lead in the 8th. Martinez gives up what seems like a meaningless HR. Proctologist comes in in the 9th with a 5 run lead and proceeds to cock it up. Not only does he give up a 2 run bomb, he walks the next guy on a 55 ft. pitch. Kimbrel has to come in to put out the flames.
Kimbrel was supposed to get the night off last night, but that didn’t workout either. The Proctor meltdown in Monday forced the Braves to use their closer 4 times in 5 nights. Now the ripple effect has also affected Venters who has pitched 3 of the last 4 nights.
Who closes tonight? Hopefully we’ll bust out the whooping sticks and Huddy can go deep…
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
August 10th, 2011
12:26 pm
Good move, thought Arthur Rhodes was on the way when I heard Proctor got released. Viscaino will do well and provide some long re
Kyle
August 10th, 2011
12:27 pm
That is good news but there is still 2 or three more down there that are so bad I don’t even know their names (the only way I could remember Proctor was becaue of his Police Academy fame) that need to be shown the door too. I would rather have a guy up here from AAA that would put forth a real effort.
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
August 10th, 2011
12:29 pm
Davies just got released by the Royals, would not be suprised if the Bravos got him back and assigned him to Triple-A. I know the organization always liked him and thought he pitched in bad luck.
Kentavo
August 10th, 2011
12:29 pm
Does anyone know how to pronounce Arodys?
Kentavo
August 10th, 2011
12:30 pm
Just read that KC released Kyle Davies – snatch him up!
Just kidding (on the latter part).
2 hot scott
August 10th, 2011
12:31 pm
This should have realized about a month or two ago. When Chipper walked in and told him not to throw a fastball to Reynolds in the game versus Baltimore, the next pitch went about 400 feet. The look on Chipper’s face was priceless. The Braves have great arms in AAA, so why are they continuing with these reclamation projects. C’mon Frank, bring these guys up and see what they’ve got. I don’t care if these “old” veterans can throw 94 mph, their fastballs are straight as an arrow, so show the league something new, maybe then you won’t have O’Ventbrel’s arms falling off in September. Here’s a thought, call Wags and see if he’s ready to get off the couch, pay him double what you were going to pay Proctor for the rest of the season, and see if he’s interested. Just my 2 cents worth…
phil
August 10th, 2011
12:31 pm
A good move…
But…
What will everyone be saying when this kid comes in and can’t get anyone out, assuming that’s the case, which it often is with young guys? Of course Proctor couldn’t get ME out, so it would be a wash I guess.
Here’s hoping the kid does well….we need him to for sure.
lefty fielder
August 10th, 2011
12:31 pm
I heard that Proctor was joining Glauss in a new baseball league.
Glauss is playing third.
Peter
August 10th, 2011
12:32 pm
beebee-
What I want more than anything is the World Series trophy. Whether it is barely getting in the playoffs or cruising in, it doesn’t matter, as long as we get the ring.
Peter
August 10th, 2011
12:33 pm
Kentavo
August 10th, 2011
12:29 pm
Does anyone know how to pronounce Arodys?
Just like that.
Mike
August 10th, 2011
12:33 pm
if he’s throwing 100 plus, all he really needs to do is get it around the plate and mix it up with some sort of change up or slider. lights out.
Question for DOB
August 10th, 2011
12:33 pm
Could Alex Gonzalez numbers before the 2010 trade be explained by stealing signs?
http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/6837424/baseball-toronto-blue-jays-suspicion-again-stealing-signs-rogers-centre
phil
August 10th, 2011
12:33 pm
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
August 10th, 2011
12:29 pm
Davies just got released by the Royals, would not be suprised if the Bravos got him back and assigned him to Triple-A. I know the organization always liked him and thought he pitched in bad luck.
********************
It’s not bad luck when guys keep flopping with different organizations….he stinks. Why would we want to bring him back?
Is it just bad luck that Wayward can’t hit and apparently can’t manage to even just pinch run in a game? Of course not….
bucket
August 10th, 2011
12:34 pm
I hate that it didn’t work out for Proctor because apparently he was working hard to get back and he was popular in the clubhouse. Does anyone know how soon we can expect Moylan to be back and if Medlen is expected back this year?
Rick
August 10th, 2011
12:37 pm
“Melky wasnt traded, was he? Even the Royals couldnt be that stupid.”
No Braves just had him for a one year deal. The Royals got a great deal though for 1.25 mill, he’s having the best season of his career 304/338/461.
Kentavo
August 10th, 2011
12:38 pm
For the one millionth time: Medlen has been shut down for the year.
phil
August 10th, 2011
12:38 pm
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
12:26 pm
There is a ripple effect to having guys like Proctologist continually fail. Kimbrel should’ve gotten the night off Monday. 6 run lead in the 8th. Martinez gives up what seems like a meaningless HR. Proctologist comes in in the 9th with a 5 run lead and proceeds to cock it up. Not only does he give up a 2 run bomb, he walks the next guy on a 55 ft. pitch. Kimbrel has to come in to put out the flames.
Kimbrel was supposed to get the night off last night, but that didn’t workout either. The Proctor meltdown in Monday forced the Braves to use their closer 4 times in 5 nights. Now the ripple effect has also affected Venters who has pitched 3 of the last 4 nights.
Who closes tonight? Hopefully we’ll bust out the whooping sticks and Huddy can go deep…
***********************
It’s pretty simple, really…
Instead of constantly blaming FG, we can try scoring a bunch of runs now and then, the starters can go a little deeper and the vaunted relievers can get some rest.
And the Valvaros, or whatever his name is, can stop grooving fastballs right down the middle to fastball hitters and preserve a cushion once in awhile.
Otherwise, what is FG supposed to do? Give up and let us lose?
Ghostrider
August 10th, 2011
12:39 pm
There is a Baseball God…Glad to see him go…He was pathetic.
benchwarmer
August 10th, 2011
12:39 pm
Mel, how did you get the type to run off the page?
2 hot scott
August 10th, 2011
12:43 pm
As for Davies, when you give up 84 hits and 26 walks in 61 innings, you get released. He also gave up 206 hits and 80 walks last year, we don’t need another batting practice pitcher, we just got rid of one…
PDOG
August 10th, 2011
12:48 pm
Great move, I have been calling for this since the Futures game. Now it is time to get rid of Lugo.
TOMY FOURNIER
August 10th, 2011
12:55 pm
IT IS TIME TO MR. HITTER COACH TALK TO MR. CONSTANZA…HE DO NOT SHOW ANY PATIEN AT THE HOME PLATE…AND THAT HIS HIS ROLE…IN CASE!!!!
Steve
August 10th, 2011
12:57 pm
Proctor….Proctor……I’m just surprised that it took them this long to get rid of him!!!!!
TA
August 10th, 2011
12:58 pm
Scott P. Still, has flashes of greatness. I hope the Braves let him pitch in the minors and regain his old form. It takes time to come back from two ops. Best of luck to Scott. He will surely pitch in the Majors next year!
bravesgrl4life
August 10th, 2011
12:59 pm
I hate it for Scott Proctor as a person, but man, will I be glad not to be scared when we go to the bullpen tonight.
Mark's for the Braves
August 10th, 2011
12:59 pm
LONG overdue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How much longer on Moylan-2 weeks? Need him back soon!!
Steve
August 10th, 2011
12:59 pm
Tomy Fournier…Gonna try and interpret what you just said….It is time for Mr. Hitting Coach to talk to Mr. Constanza. He does not show any patience at home plate. And that is his role just in case???
Steve
August 10th, 2011
1:01 pm
Sad when you are put into a 8-3 game and you almost blow it! I wish the best for the guy he has good stuff he just can’t locate it. MLB hitters can hit a down the pipe 95 mph heater!!!!
ATLfan15
August 10th, 2011
1:05 pm
@Steve: Proctor was the 2011 version of Farnsworth.
Get Rid Of Larry Parrish
August 10th, 2011
1:07 pm
Now it is time to get rid of Larry Parrish and get a real hitting coach and if Fredi objects, he can hit the pavement as well……..
aj
August 10th, 2011
1:08 pm
Watched the G-Braves in a doubleheader
last night in Scranton vs.Yankees. Hope
they don’t need another catcher because
there is no help there. Game one was lost
on a wild pitch which should have been
a passed ball. Castillo could have blocked
the ball with the winning run on third.
Nieves wasn’t much better in game two.
Looking for Brian McCann to return soon
and have Ross as your backup. You don’t
appreciate what you have till it is missing.
Great move for Vizcaino.
gcs
August 10th, 2011
1:09 pm
This is a terrible move. What are the Braves going to do if they get a 19 run lead and every other pitcher has been used? You are going to want Proctor if that happens!
.
DZ
August 10th, 2011
1:12 pm
@DOB
“…he never regained his best form after two elbow surgeries forced him to miss all of the 2009 with Florida and kept him in the minors for most of 2010.”
I have news for you: Proctor had a 6.05 ERA in 2008 – BEFORE his surgeries.
Homer
August 10th, 2011
1:14 pm
There are some really clueless people on this blog.
Shampoo
August 10th, 2011
1:17 pm
Releasing Proctor is quite a gamble.
braves fan forever
August 10th, 2011
1:18 pm
Medlen will be in the starting rotation next year after we get rid of Lowe.Davies has good stuff but needs a John Smoltz head shrink.It is all in his head.Medlen will not and should not pitch for the braves this year let his arm get good and rested for next season.Oh Lord thank you for answering my prayers (releasing Scott Proctor).
sAD sACK
August 10th, 2011
1:18 pm
Hardly…
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
August 10th, 2011
1:20 pm
Who do you replace Lugo with, unless you bring Diory back up. He’ll be here in September
coach13
August 10th, 2011
1:23 pm
Sit Hanson, Lowe, Venters, O’Flaherty, and Kimbrel for a couple of weeks if not more. Bring up the rest of the “top” pitching prospects and fill some gaps with AAA guys. If we still can’t beat out Arizona for the WC they should cancel next season. Go ahead and sit McCann till there is no question that oblique is healed.
Hanson and Lowe aren’t helping us anyways and the 3 in the pen could use a break desperately. We aren’t going to catch the Phils, never were.
Braves Fan Since "80
August 10th, 2011
1:25 pm
I like it!!!!!!!! In all fairness Proctor was below average at best but he allowed sometime for development…. it did not work.and Androys got valuable time.
What I like most is the slow transition from a Cox-like team slow prodding big bopper great starters and cross your finger bull pen….. Years back we would have said we have the 2nd best record in the NL and getting healthy and Ugly is uggla again
I know Cox played the hands he was dealt but I like the infusion of speed deep bull pen and vets Chipper and Hinskie…. Still hate our left handed team bat dominance but constanza and bourne’s speed, McCann’s ability only the Phillies and Red Sox should scare us…….. with chipper out of the lineup and Constanza still productive i could see he and bourne hitting one and two even with Freddie’s L/R rule…… bunt on base….steal bunt over runner on 1st and third 0 outs and potential to swipe second double steal or just a runner on third one out Give opposing picthers something to think about…..
Pinch hitting and spot duty for Heyward will help him and when his stroke returns we will be stronger than ever…. With that said I hope the new guy is truly an (Android)
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
August 10th, 2011
1:27 pm
I am of the belief that you have semi-redy arms in Triple A for just in case scenarios, Like Jair and Tommy injuries and DLowe struggles. While I think DLowe plays out his contract next year, the young arms will need a little more time to get seasoned. I think we may see Tehran and Arodys in the bullpen next year. Getting used to MLB hitters on a regular basis. Beachy to me is a middle reliever and probably shouldn’t be starting. Just my IMO. I would trade JJ if Chipper retires next year so you can get the RH bat for LF, but only if Chipper retires.
Rick
August 10th, 2011
1:29 pm
“Releasing Proctor is quite a gamble.”
*Rimshot* But seriously it’s not a gamble it’s a smart move they should have done weeks ago.
“Sit Hanson, Lowe, Venters, O’Flaherty, and Kimbrel for a couple of weeks if not more. Bring up the rest of the “top” pitching prospects and fill some gaps with AAA guys”
lol are you for real. Who would be left to pitch in the minors if they did that? There’s no guarantee they will succeed in the majors right away either. Thank god clowns like you aren’t managers.
David
August 10th, 2011
1:31 pm
It’s good to add another power arm to Kimbrell, Venters and Proctor. That’s 4 guys capable of hitting mid-90’s. I think Blane Boyer may be looking for a gig now too.
Rick
August 10th, 2011
1:31 pm
“Beachy to me is a middle reliever and probably shouldn’t be starting. Just my IMO.”
Why? He pitches for SOs and still usually goes 6+ innings. Pretty solid starter IMO. He could be a top of the rotation guy for many teams.
Lemke's Knuckler
August 10th, 2011
1:31 pm
“Beachy to me is a middle reliever and probably shouldn’t be starting.”
Yeah, rookies with a 3.4 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9.7 K/9 shouldn’t be starting.
Vizcaino
August 10th, 2011
1:35 pm
I used to stick needles in my eyeballs every time Proctor pitched, it was less painful !
So Long Proctor, We hardly knew ye!!
Steel Bells
August 10th, 2011
1:37 pm
“Vizcaino was the Yankees’ third-best prospect before being traded to the Braves in the December 2009 deal for Javier Vazquez. The Braves also got outfielder Melky Cabrera and lefty Michael Dunn in that trade; both were traded again after the 2010 season.”
Pretty good return for Javier Vazquez…turned into Arodys Vizcaino and Dan Uggla.
Blackberry Cobbler
August 10th, 2011
1:39 pm
Lowe is a train wreck and Hanson isn’t far behind.
Wren needs to get another starter.
I think we also still need a big bat. Can’t count on Chipper, Heyward is another train wreck, and you can’t depend on Uggla and Freeman to keep this up.
Let's Go
August 10th, 2011
1:46 pm
Maybe Vizcaino will pitch tonight and then Javy Vazquez can see why the Braves were more then happy to trade him to the Yankees last year.
Good Luck Scott, you can’t say the Braves didn’t give you every opportunity to make it back.
ChrisfromSacramento
August 10th, 2011
1:49 pm
Beat it Proctor. It is business and personal. You failed us all! Now release or trade that overrated bumb Hurtward
Brooklyn Braves Brawler
August 10th, 2011
1:49 pm
Beachy has good command and lots of movement of his pitches but throws way too many, and will only be 6 inning pitcher most nights. Plus i don’t know that there is a spot for him in the rotation down the line. Between the kids in AAA, medlen, JJ, Hanson, and Huddy there is really no room for Beachy. He’s a capable starter, just more of a fit in the bullpen given our future numbers in the rotation.
VaBravesfan
August 10th, 2011
1:49 pm
I saw Vizcaino start two games for Lynchburg early in the season. Sometimes he looked like a man among boys and sometimes he had no idea where the ball was going when he turned it loose. He is going to be a good one, though.
alex
August 10th, 2011
1:51 pm
@DZ, so my nobel prize laureate,why do you think he needed the elbow surgery, cause and effect….Sheeesh
So Cal Brave
August 10th, 2011
1:56 pm
WOW… By reading all the comments here you’d think that Proctor lost 10 games for us. Thanks for the 3 shutout innings against Pittsburg and good luck to you sir! Hopefully with a little more work you can return to form, but we couldn’t afford to gamble on your success while in a pennant/wild card chase.
ChrisfromSacramento
August 10th, 2011
1:58 pm
People who think Beachy should be in the pen are as lost as Hurtwards swing, behind Huddy he us our best starter. D Lowe has pen experience if anyone should go it is him.
Furthermore, Hanson is about to be Millwood at best. Velocity is down 5-7 mph. Sad I like Tommy, but it does not look good. Shoulder problems are the death of pitchers
Larry
August 10th, 2011
1:58 pm
I agree that Ross deserves as much as more of the blame as Varvaro. I mean calling for three consecutive fastballs to a fastball hitter was pretty freaking dumb, don’t you think? What should the rookie do in that situation, shake him off? No, he did what he was told and, if you look at the replay, he put the ball right where Ross wanted it–low and inside!
Michael
August 10th, 2011
1:58 pm
What’s with all the foreigners? Not enough US citizens available to do these pitching jobs?
Enos Striker
August 10th, 2011
2:00 pm
So why do Braves keep Teheran in minors ? If he’s better than Vizcaino ? Some things just don’t make any sense…
Brett Favre was once a Falcon
August 10th, 2011
2:00 pm
Maybe we should have kept Proctor for his bat. After all, he did beat the Pirates in the 19th inning with a ground ball. He got an RBI, too. Even if the ump did miss the call.
Enos Striker
August 10th, 2011
2:02 pm
Ross is lazy. He dropped like 14 balls right in his mitt last night. He’s used to playing once every week not every day. He could probably start for some other team if not for being lazy.
Enos Striker
August 10th, 2011
2:04 pm
Chris : Shoulder problems are the death of pitchers
And possibly catchers too. McCann ?
Enos Striker
August 10th, 2011
2:05 pm
Remember Boscan had to fill in for Ross after he played 4 games in a row ? Catchers like Bench,Fisk,G.Carter,Piazza played like 155 games a year. Today’s players are truly wussies.
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
2:07 pm
@Phil
It’s pretty simple, really…
Instead of constantly blaming FG, we can try scoring a bunch of runs now and then, the starters can go a little deeper and the vaunted relievers can get some rest.
And the Valvaros, or whatever his name is, can stop grooving fastballs right down the middle to fastball hitters and preserve a cushion once in awhile.
Otherwise, what is FG supposed to do? Give up and let us lose?
***************
I didn’t mean to imply that this is Fredi’s fault. Fredi made the right move in both instances under the circumstances. The problem is that Proctor has been bad all year and caused a ripple effect. Varvaro challenging a .220 hitter is fine by me. The guy got lucky. You can’t risk walking the bases loaded in that situation which is a real possibility if he gets cute with an offspeed pitch.
Getting rid of Proctor will benefit the the entire staff, particularly the bullpen. I am not a Fredi basher. I support any manager that can lead this team to the 4th best record in baseball in August.
Enos Striker
August 10th, 2011
2:07 pm
Maybe Tejeran can replace Hanson ? It looks like Minor replaced Jair.
David the Shepherd
August 10th, 2011
2:10 pm
It’s about time he was let go. Let’s see what Vizcaino can do.
alex
August 10th, 2011
2:12 pm
@enos, it’s about global warming and the more difficult conditions, just kidding but the games are much longer…
Hanson
August 10th, 2011
2:15 pm
We NEED Hanson in the playoffs…rest his shoulder two weeks, bring him back
Stinger2
August 10th, 2011
2:18 pm
The know nothing boggers are having a field day on this one. As the season moves on, it seems that you wanta be managers and GM`s get worse and worse with your analysis and suggestions about how to manage the Braves. I bet when Fredi and Wren need a few laughs they do visit DOB`s blogs.
phil
August 10th, 2011
2:20 pm
Larry
August 10th, 2011
1:58 pm
I agree that Ross deserves as much as more of the blame as Varvaro. I mean calling for three consecutive fastballs to a fastball hitter was pretty freaking dumb, don’t you think? What should the rookie do in that situation, shake him off? No, he did what he was told and, if you look at the replay, he put the ball right where Ross wanted it–low and inside!
*********************
The sooner Ross returns to the bench, the better….He’s old and is starting to look it, toiling out there, day after day, in the heat. He can hardly block a pitch, his bat speed ain’t the best and his average is falling back towards his mean of about .200 rapidly…
His pathetic whining last night about the bat barely touching him was enough for me….throw the guy out and quit the complaining!
I like Ross a lot….just as a backup….
So Brian? Get yourself well, try doing some running to get your fat butt in some kind of respectable shape and get back out on the field…..
baseball fan
August 10th, 2011
2:22 pm
Now, if we can get Wayward Heyward back to normal in RF, keep the rookie Jose Constanza in left field, put Prado on SS and give Alex Gonzales some bench time, now that’s a true winning caliber line-up.
phil
August 10th, 2011
2:26 pm
Well Stinger2, apparently you have some pretty compehensive answers….
Go ahead…
Tom
August 10th, 2011
2:26 pm
Give Proctor his due, 34 yrs old, two recent elbow surgeries, actually he did ok under these mentioned conditions. He will probably get an opportunity elsewhere, players that throw 94-96 consistently, maybe ATL West(KC)? But he does need a better 2nd and 3rd pitch! It is exciting to think of a 20 yr old with a 100mph fastball on our team now. Fast pitchers and fast running players, EXCITING!!!
W-L
August 10th, 2011
2:27 pm
What happened to Nate? Did we go ahead and release him as well? I know he’s on the DL, but haven’t heard any updates. He will not have much of a role when he gets off. Maybe Gwinnett.
phil
August 10th, 2011
2:29 pm
baseball fan
August 10th, 2011
2:22 pm
Now, if we can get Wayward Heyward back to normal in RF, keep the rookie Jose Constanza in left field, put Prado on SS and give Alex Gonzales some bench time, now that’s a true winning caliber line-up.
*******************
Well….
1. We can’t get Wayward back to “normal” apparently….
2. Prado doesn’t have the range to play short…
3. Gonzo’s glove out there is, in fact, too valuable to ride the pine, even if he can’t normally hit a basketball off a tee.
Aside from those 3 things, your post was on the money!
phil
August 10th, 2011
2:32 pm
W-L
August 10th, 2011
2:27 pm
What happened to Nate? Did we go ahead and release him as well? I know he’s on the DL, but haven’t heard any updates. He will not have much of a role when he gets off. Maybe Gwinnett.
*******************
He had a sports hernia, repaired last week in Philly. Out 6 weeks at least. Hopefully out forever for us unless willing to ride the pine.
IlliniBrave
August 10th, 2011
2:33 pm
I feel like I just woke up from a bad dream. Thank God the nightmare is over.
Rick
August 10th, 2011
2:35 pm
“So why do Braves keep Teheran in minors ? If he’s better than Vizcaino ?”
Because Vizcaino was in the bullpen in the minors. Why take Teheran, who’s currently a starter, and switch him to relief too? Doesn’t make much sense.
“His pathetic whining last night about the bat barely touching him was enough for me….throw the guy out and quit the complaining!”
Who cares if it barely touched him? It’s interference by the rules and the runners should have had to gone back. I don’t know why you’re complaining that he was asking for the right call.
Freddie t
August 10th, 2011
2:42 pm
I would have traded Vizcaino or whoever to get Hunter Pense. They Phillies were great before they got him, now Pense has become their best player and he’s just entering his prime.
joe kill
August 10th, 2011
2:43 pm
so happy great for arodys hes a flamethrower the yankees will be pissed when they see this kid light up the radar gun
bravos007
August 10th, 2011
2:48 pm
if play-offs were today, who’s our top three?
i say:
Hudson
Beachy
Minor or Lowe
Luke Jackson
August 10th, 2011
2:50 pm
Spelling and grammer check DOB….
phil
August 10th, 2011
2:50 pm
August 10th, 2011
2:35 pm
“So why do Braves keep Teheran in minors ? If he’s better than Vizcaino ?”
********************
Someone asked this question? Remember when the teacher would say there’s no such thing as a stupid question?
The teacher lied….
phil
August 10th, 2011
2:52 pm
Will Wayward be in the lineup tonight?
I say yes!
Will he ground out to second at least twice?
I say yes!
will he manage one hit?
I say…..maybe.
Will he screw up at least one play in the field and not hustle down the line at least once when he should?
I say yes!
Rick
August 10th, 2011
2:52 pm
“I would have traded Vizcaino or whoever to get Hunter Pense. They Phillies were great before they got him, now Pense has become their best player and he’s just entering his prime.”
Has Michael Bourn not been a great acquisition for the Braves though? I thought he was better suited for us and the Braves had to give less up.
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
3:01 pm
“I would have traded Vizcaino or whoever to get Hunter Pense. They Phillies were great before they got him, now Pense has become their best player and he’s just entering his prime.”
I will take what Bourn and Constanza have done over what Pence has done for the Phillies. They are not our concern until the playoffs.
Legend of Len Barker
August 10th, 2011
3:03 pm
Is available.
Will only cost you Brett Butler, Brook Jacoby, Rick Behenna and $150,000.
NickB
August 10th, 2011
3:04 pm
@phil
your ignorant comments about Heyward would be ridiculous if they weren’t so pathetic.
last 7 games he played in .971 OPS (yeah, Fredi benched him as he was starting to hit it good again) also, he’s a top 10 in baseball RF’er with the glove….. ALL the defensive stats say this (except for fielding % which is worthless, more worthless than any other stat outside of maybe pitchers wins…)
But you keep up the good work hating on one of our best young players. Good lord , sir you are a class A jerk
jayvee
August 10th, 2011
3:11 pm
Agree that Proctor was the weakest link on the team, but still feel bad for him. You know he was giving it everything he could….just didn’t have it anymore.
It will be interesting to see what else happens. Will Lowe get shelved at some point? Can Hanson return to form? Can JJ? Will Teheran and Delgato also figure in the pennant race?
Stay tuned, fans, for “As The Braves Turn.”
Tom
August 10th, 2011
3:17 pm
NickB – Are you JasonH’s agent or member of immediate family? It seems as though you would rather see Jason play and we lose, than Constanza play and us win. Why? Jason needs to be at Gwinnett getting AB’s and working through his troubles and yes, I think Jason is a terrific young man. But this is a business not little-league where everyone gets to play! Just curious I guess but have you ever played the game at the HS, college, or professional level? Constanza brings a lot more to the RF position at this time, get over it. Actually, Frenchy did too!! JasonH is not an established major-leaguer at this time, no matter what your opinion may be!!
FlyOnTheWall
August 10th, 2011
3:25 pm
Georgie rocks but he appeared to be swinging for the fences last night in his 1st few ABs… someone needs to remind him why he is there….just slap the ball into left and take a base man…not fly out to center.
Larry
August 10th, 2011
3:26 pm
Jason Heyward batted a whopping .125 against the Giants last October, and is hitting .222 with a whopping 30 RBI’s as an everyday Right Fielder for the first four months of the season and pushes this great average up to a whopping .224 with RISP!
He didn’t produce in the postseason, he isn’t hitting for a decent average, he’s not driving in runs and he hasn’t hit with men in scoring position…that’s all the stats I need to know!
Play Constanza or Hinske until Heyward EARNS his way back into the starting lineup!
iceBRAVEcometh11
August 10th, 2011
3:27 pm
Let us stay wildcard hard and a championship will follow.
Damon Dingle Barryhill
August 10th, 2011
3:27 pm
This is ridiculous. Proctor had such “good stuff” –
bill
August 10th, 2011
3:28 pm
uh oh the neigh sayers will really gang up on Heyward now
welikebaseball2
August 10th, 2011
3:31 pm
Well, it didn’t take long for the Heyward bashers to turn another blog NOT about Heyward into a Heyward bashing session. He’s been benched. Are you not happy/satisfied? Wow. So predictable.
@NickB: phil can’t help himself/herself. He’s/she’s obsessed with Heyward. He/she feels clever calling him Wayward. He/she feels they’re offending a certain group with the shots. He/she obviously has limited baseball knowledge. Though he/she is part of the “bench Heyward” bandwagon, he/she was probably cheering as loudly as anyone else for Heyward last year.
Tom
August 10th, 2011
3:32 pm
Flyon the Wall – I hope that HR Constanza hit does not go to his head, hit the grounders, take the singles and steal bases putting pressure on the opposing pitchers. He can be very successful if he does that!
reckingball
August 10th, 2011
3:37 pm
NickB @3:04………His comments can be considered both, ridiculous and pathetic.
reckingball
August 10th, 2011
3:38 pm
Haywood will be starting tonight.
Pascual Perez
August 10th, 2011
3:40 pm
I can take Proctor’s spot! I am thinking about making a comeback at 54! I have GPS now in my car and will not have any problem finding Turner Field!
wjones
August 10th, 2011
3:41 pm
“TOMY FOURNIER
August 10th, 2011
12:55 pm
IT IS TIME TO MR. HITTER COACH TALK TO MR. CONSTANZA…HE DO NOT SHOW ANY PATIEN AT THE HOME PLATE…AND THAT HIS HIS ROLE…IN CASE!!!!”
Please keep the hitting coach away from a man hitting .400! If you hit .400 without any walks, it’s still a .400 obp. And it’s not like the hitting coach was ever a walking machine, either.
rally
August 10th, 2011
3:42 pm
Proctor has just raised the Unemployment numbers from 9.2 to 9.5% How is this Hope and Change for the Braves we shoulda kept him…….LMAO.
reckingball
August 10th, 2011
3:42 pm
Rick @2:35………He’s complaining, because he loves to complain.
Steve
August 10th, 2011
3:43 pm
The best thing for Heyward right now would be to get some regular at bats at AAA. He needs to find that swing and confidence that he had last year. Georgie C gives us the best option to win right now. He has both the speed and glove!!!!
Bob Silverman
August 10th, 2011
3:44 pm
You’ll never be able to fix Lowe’s head and Hanson’s shoulder. Not in this lifetime..
Steve
August 10th, 2011
3:44 pm
rally@3:42 that is wrong but too funny!!!!!!!
nathanbuford
August 10th, 2011
3:46 pm
greatest news i have heard in years. proctologist was horrible and i do not feel sorry for him losing job. he only did job once and that was a missed call by plate umpire. this kid has to be upgrade and will be very interesting to see what happes. good riddance Procto, welcome Aroydis. GO BRAVES
STH
August 10th, 2011
3:46 pm
I have been for not seeing Proctor blow anymore leads. When he first came up he looked great, and he was doing even better in the minors this year. I can not help but wonder if we couldnt find some kind of prospect someone would give to have Proctor who still hits 95 on the gun. I am sure there is something I do not know if he were released. Wish him well, I know he didnt throw a game on purpose, and he has showed character with all he has been through to get back to the bigs. I am so excited! I dont hate Lowe, but I am anxious to see his replacement up here in Teheran! I still like Lowe in the pen idea. We have to pay him either way and it seems that is where we could get the most from him. Ok I will stop now…
DZ
August 10th, 2011
3:48 pm
@alex Rocket scientist know-it-all,
Proctor also had a 6+ ERA in 2006 and 5.40 in 2005. He has a history of ineffectiveness.
Dirty Dawg
August 10th, 2011
3:50 pm
What is it about us and determining the ideal playing weight for players? We allowed Francoeur to ‘bulk-up’ – more like balloon up – and he not only couldn’t get the bat around he couldn’t cover right field, and Cabrera never was the player he had been with the Yankees that one season he came here – never forget that ‘throw’ he attempted to make from CF where the ball slipped out of his hand and rolled to a stop just far enough away from him that the hitter got an ‘inside the parker’…now both are at KC, dropped pounds and are playing their best ball ever. Oh well, sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear…well you know.
Tom
August 10th, 2011
3:59 pm
DirtyDawg – Good post, would not be surprised to hear KC sign Proctor! Just a comment about JasonH soph slump, some fans forget that Frenchy hit .300, 29 HRS, and had 100 RBI’s his soph year with us! He also threw out a bunch of base-runners trying to get that extra base on us!! Just thinkin!!
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
4:00 pm
@reckingball – Who the hell is Haywood and when did the Braves pick him up?
wjones
August 10th, 2011
4:04 pm
“W-L
August 10th, 2011
2:27 pm
What happened to Nate? Did we go ahead and release him as well? I know he’s on the DL, but haven’t heard any updates. He will not have much of a role when he gets off. Maybe Gwinnett.”
While he wasn’t looking one day, he was knocked out, taken to the hospital. They then performed surgery on his groin. He is out for at least six weeks. Which should pretty much do it for the year.
Larry A
August 10th, 2011
4:06 pm
Phew, a sigh of relief – no pun intended
chatt matt
August 10th, 2011
4:07 pm
Putting Proctor in the game was like throwing diesel on a wildfire.
JeanE
August 10th, 2011
4:09 pm
I’m sorry it didn’t work out with Proctor, he seems like a very nice guy who gave alot of effort, just not the results the Braves needed from him. Good luck to him. Another young gun, huh? I can’t keep track of all these new people!
chatt matt
August 10th, 2011
4:12 pm
When is B-Mac coming off the DL?
jerry
August 10th, 2011
4:13 pm
I’m sure Proctor did the best he could with a bad arm. Best of luck to him.
waterboy
August 10th, 2011
4:13 pm
Not surprised at all. Typical move from the Braves organization. It doesn’t matter though. They are still 8.5 games back with no chance of catching Philly!
welikebaseball2
August 10th, 2011
4:14 pm
@Tom: Actually, Francoeur hit .260 with 132 strikeouts his sophomore season. Just thinkin!!
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
4:18 pm
@waterboy – We’ll catch you in the playoffs and take our chances. Good luck.
chatt matt
August 10th, 2011
4:19 pm
I heard a rumor Nate Mclouth got picked up by one of the teams going to Williamsport,Pa they might let him pinch hit.
FlyOnTheWall
August 10th, 2011
4:20 pm
Poor Uggs…JHey is hitting after him again…he needs to thank our wonderful manager again!
welikebaseball2
August 10th, 2011
4:26 pm
FlyOnTheWall: Don’t feel too bad for Uggs. Feel happy for him in that he hit well below .200 for the bulk of the season & never lost his starting job. If he doesn’t get anything to hit tonight, let’s see if he can show some patience & take some walks.
DawgDad
August 10th, 2011
4:31 pm
Willie McCovey burst onto the MLB scene with a flourish in the summer of 1959 at age 21. He didn’t play a full year at the major league level but his talents were apparent and his accomplishments were stellar. In 1960 at age 22 he hit .238 with 13 homers in 260 at bats with 45 walks.
Whether or not Jason Heyward can be mentioned in the same breath as Willie McCovey remains to be seen. I remain very hopeful.
BravesfaninWis
August 10th, 2011
4:34 pm
About f’n time. Long overdue. It should have happened much sooner before he cost the Braves some wins this season.
lawrence
August 10th, 2011
4:37 pm
Joe Torre deserves some credit for ruining Proctor’s arm. 83 games in both 2006 & 2007. Total of 188 innings.
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
4:40 pm
If that’s the case, lawrence, we won’t have Kimbrel, Venters and O’Flaherty as long as we think…
Rafael
August 10th, 2011
4:44 pm
I PRAISE Frank Wren for releasing Scott Proctor and promoting Vizcaino. I’m so happy I WILL NOT say anything negative about Vizcaino no matter what his performance. Proctor DID NOT belong in the Major Leagues and the Braves gave him EVERY chance imaginable.
I will think I died and gone to Heaven if they release JULIO LUGO. The last hit Lugo got was in the Clinton Administration. Why do the Braves employ Brooks “Gold Glove” Conrad when they keep on using Lugo as a pinch hitter??????????!!!!!!!
Thank you again Mr. Wren for releasing that BUM Scott Proctor. It is really appreciated by Braves nation. You have my vote for GM of the year by acquiring Michael “Apollo” Bourn and dumping Proctor.
Larry
August 10th, 2011
4:45 pm
waterboy,
Give us $86 million more payroll like the Phillies to work with and we just might have made up that 8.5 games!
We could have signed Lee, Crawford and Gonzalez and still had 40-50 mil to work with!
WTF
August 10th, 2011
4:54 pm
seriously? it took them this long to release proctor? what a joke. it sure would’ve been nice to have used those awful innings proctor was used in to give our younger relievers some much needed mlb experience in case the tremendous workload on our bullpen comes back to bite us. but, hey, at least they got to… well at least the team benefitted from… ok, i got nothing. there’s no way at all to justify re-signing proctor in the offseason, much less letting hold down a spot in the ‘pen until freaking AUGUST.
Pachoo
August 10th, 2011
5:07 pm
Vizcaino is not the youngest of the big four, Teheran is. Viz was born 11/3/1990 while Teheran was born
1/27/1991. Teheran is stupid young to be in AAA, and was the youngest player in AAA at the start of the year by a huge gap (over a year younger than the next youngest player in the league).
Greg O.
August 10th, 2011
5:12 pm
I was at the first two days of Gwinnett’s series at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Monday and yesterday. In trying to get an autograph from Vizcaino, who was sitting in the top row of the lower level, immediately in front of the section where I walked into the stadium, he completely ignored me from three feet away from him. After several more people approached him he signed for everybody. I mention this not to egg on the “you live in your mother’s basement,” comments that are sure to follow, but to point out that he seems to have a cold-blooded stopper type of demeanor. He just ignored his surroundings (including a couple other examples very much like the one previously stated). I have to imagine being able to block everything out as a late-innings reliever would be a positive quality. Take the good and the bad of this, because in all honesty, his demeanor reminded me in a few ways of Rafael Soriano. For what it’s worth, a somewhat milder attitude was taken on by Julio Teheran and to a much lesser degree, Randall Delgado.
David O'Brien
August 10th, 2011
5:13 pm
Spelling and grammer check DOB….– Luke Jackson
That’s what you’re here for, Luke. I had to get downstairs to get the news.
Rowsdower
August 10th, 2011
5:16 pm
You spelled the most important part correctly, Dave:
Braves release Proctor, call up flamethrower Vizcaino
The rest is just icing.
Heathcliff Slocum
August 10th, 2011
5:31 pm
Solid move.You have to like how this team has taken shape. One more missing piece before the post season – getting a right handed bat for the bench. Conrad, while good, is a bigger threat from the left side.
Tom
August 10th, 2011
5:31 pm
Welikebaseball2 – You are partially right and I am partially wrong. Frenchy in his 1st season with ATL had .300 BA, soph season was .260BA, 132SO’s, 29 HRS, 103 RBI’s, and multiple runners throw out on bases. Pretty decent stats to me. Hope your point was not to compare to JasonH, you would lose that argument! Saw on SportsCenter couple nights ago where he threw runner out at plate from RF, up to his old habits I guess? Stats courtesy of KC website! He’s not great, but a very solid OF guy!!!! If Jason plays tonite, please no ground balls to 2nd base position!!! Thanks!!!
really
August 10th, 2011
5:35 pm
How about a “grammer” check for Mr. Jackson? It’s grammAr, idiot. Grammer is your Mom’s Mom.
Bob
August 10th, 2011
5:39 pm
Larry…if the Phillies are spending $86M more a year, then they’re going to be really p@ssed when they lose in the first round. Sorta like us the past eight years. I like our chances.
mojo
August 10th, 2011
5:40 pm
Hooray!!!!! Cynthia Tucker and Scott Proctor gone in the same day. Except for the 500+ point drop in the market, this has been a great day. Hooray!!!!!
Bob
August 10th, 2011
5:46 pm
And whatever happened to Terrance Moore. Is he at UGA’s Journalism school, too?
Skeezix
August 10th, 2011
5:55 pm
Great news! It was past time to cut Proctor.
Rico Carty
August 10th, 2011
5:56 pm
Bring back ROCKER, baby! Get some excitement going…….
DHD
August 10th, 2011
6:38 pm
I can’t wait to see him pitch. We have a bunch of nasty young pitchers. THANK YOU Frank Wren for hanging on to them.
ncgary
August 10th, 2011
6:42 pm
as Jim Powell says “We hvae sit down, shut up and go home sitting in our bullpen” … what name should Vizcanio get…?
rinse and repeat
Jimbo Jones
August 10th, 2011
7:01 pm
Glad to see Heyward back in the lineup. If I had the players on the starting lineup to choose from, this would be my lineup:
Bourn
Constanza
Prado
Uggla
Heyward
Hinske
Gonzalez
Hudson
nolieee
August 10th, 2011
8:03 pm
the last kid we brought up who hit 100m was pretty much a total bust. takes more than that, though so far Vizcaino seems to have more than just a fastball
rico43
August 10th, 2011
10:34 pm
BBA said he has the best curve in the Braves farm system.
Arkie
August 11th, 2011
7:37 am
Vizcaino is a work in progress. As he matures,learns hitter weaknesses, develops his off speed pitches, etc, he (hopefully) will become a dominant pitcher. Limit his innings until he learns that every pitch does not have to be 98 miles per hour. Don’t let him ruin his arm. He has GOD given talent no one can teach. (fastball speed) While I am not a McDowell fan, let him progress, slowly. “to be the best he can be”.
space monkey
August 11th, 2011
8:47 am
What a wonderful day. Without Proctor we might actually still be in striking range of the Phils. Now he won’t prevent us from winning the WC.
vermont 39
August 11th, 2011
9:00 am
Go BRAVES!!!
Constanza is raking and we have a new style of baseball in Hot’lanta
Mike
August 11th, 2011
9:00 am
Vizcaino is a remarkable story. I wonder how many players play in A, AA, AAA and majors all in the same season. And he looks like, once he gets over the sheer terror of being on the big club, he can do something THIS year. Rocky start didn’t concern me one bit. Fredi G. handled that just right. I remember the first time I jumped off the high dive. I was scared to death. And finally, good wishes to Scott Proctor. People on here sometimes forget, these are human beings, not robots. We all get old….I’d hate for someone to be down at my office screaming for me to get fired. But posters here do it all the time.
Tom B.
August 11th, 2011
9:04 am
so, how soon will Heyward be gone?
coach13
August 11th, 2011
12:46 pm
Rick- Lowe, Hanson, and JJ aren’t helping the team right now either because of fatigue, age, or nagging injury. You will need these 3 guys to be ready in the playoffs and continuing to pitch in hopes that they will “figure it out” could be a much bigger gamble than asking Tehran and Delgado to come up and start a couple of games. They would only be missing a couple of starts.
The Braves pen has the most IP in all of baseball and I don’t believe it’s a close race. We won’t win a game (assuming we hold off Ariz) if O’Flaherty, Venters, and Kimbrel don’t have any gas yet.
The offense is starting to pick up the slack. Now is the time to rest the arms.
Not sure what is so crazy about resting 3 starting pitchers who aren’t helping and 3 over used bullpen guys who are essential to our success in a push to the playoffs and further.
bill gillis
August 11th, 2011
1:43 pm
looks like the braves are tring to get back to world series bringing up all these young kids to help out i like these moves
Doyle Johnson
August 11th, 2011
6:59 pm
Lets go Braves. Proctors was release?, what a relief!!!!!
Powder Blue
August 11th, 2011
11:32 pm
Good riddance, Assman.
jt
August 12th, 2011
8:23 am
Now if we get rid of J-Hey or whatever they call him. What bunch of bull, the media wanted so bad for him to be the next chipper, but alas, he is just another hype!!!
What was he 0=fer how many????
jt
August 12th, 2011
8:24 am
Anybody out there remember how many games Proctor lost in the last inning??
Vesaversa
August 12th, 2011
9:55 am
The Braves would have fared better if they had traded lowe for Pence