Braves SS prospect Simmons quiets some skeptics

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tiger297

October 27th, 2011
1:27 pm

didn’t just retweet him on his #grind (whatever that means)

Hugo Z Hackenbush

October 27th, 2011
1:28 pm

You’re following Heyward? I’m speechless.

tiger297

October 27th, 2011
1:30 pm

most out of place page header from me yet I think…am I slipping further into irrelevance or becoming more aware of the reality of my always existing irrelevance?

Soph

October 27th, 2011
1:34 pm

Happy birthday, teen teeeeeen!

raleighbravefan

October 27th, 2011
1:35 pm

richbrave – Again, thanks, my friend.

Macdaddy8

October 27th, 2011
1:47 pm

Wren spoke during the season about having a faster and more athletic team going forward. I haven’t heard alot of those comments this offseason, and was wonder if speed and athleticism will still be a huge factor in whomever Atlanta goes after this Winter.

McFann O O o Get Well Soon, Nolie!!

October 27th, 2011
1:47 pm

Oh wow, I didn’t realize today was Marteen’s b-day! Happy b-day, Marteen!!

RC

October 27th, 2011
1:49 pm

Wren spoke during the season about having a faster and more athletic team going forward. I haven’t heard alot of those comments this offseason, and was wonder if speed and athleticism will still be a huge factor in whomever Atlanta goes after this Winter.

I personally would settle for having a team that’s good at baseball going forward.

Soph

October 27th, 2011
1:52 pm

I’m so ashamed, I didn’t know either until I saw the BravesLove fb status dedicated to him. It’s the thought that counts though so live it up Marteeen.

richbrave

October 27th, 2011
1:57 pm

raleighbravefan:

LHSP SEAN GILMARTIN in A-ball [2-1, 2.53 ERA, 0.93 WHIP] 21.1 IP, 18 H, 2 BB-30 SO. BEACHY-type BB to SO numbers. 6′ 2″ 195, 21 years-old, DOB May 9, 2012. ‘Nuff said. Movin’ on up. Atlanta Express in 2014 at the latest, not including physical setbacks of course.

RHSP J.R. GRAHAM Rookie+ [5-2, 1.72 ERA, 1.12 WHIP] 57.2 IP-52 H, 13 BB-52 SO. 22 January 14, 2012, 6′0″ 185. Not physically imposing, and numbers not quite those of SEAN GILMARTIN plus a notch lower in the food chain in 2011, but he improved as the rookie short season progressed. He’ll be in ROME for sure to start the 2012 year, and if he finds traction there, I expect him to finish out the season in LYNCHBURG. If he continues to impress at each level, then barring injury, he should be in AAA waiting for the short trip to TURNER FIELD in three.

C/1B/DH EVAN ‘Big Jim’ GATTIS had as impressive a year as his imposing stature. At 6′5″ 235 he’s a mountain of a man that mashed the ball on an increasingly frequent basis in ROME last season. By the numbers – 338 AB – 106 H; 24 2B, 2 3B, 22 HR, 71 RBI, 25 BB- 53 SO; .322 BA, .386 OBP, .601 SLG, .986 OPS and definitely ready for the next level. Potential ML ready in three, BUT he’s already 25. Very short-shelf life. Trade candidate in my opinion.

There’s a dozen others I could mention including TOMMY LaSTELLA, but I’ve run out of time for the moment. If you want others I’ll go for a few tomorrow.

Ease

October 27th, 2011
1:57 pm

If only I was more respectful to Soph, she might have read my 11:40 post and avoided two hours of ashamedness.

N8

October 27th, 2011
1:59 pm

“I love it so far. Hope they can sustain it.” DOB

I don’t want to give anything away in case you aren’t caught up, or for anybody who is going to watch and hasn’t yet. But what I read yesterday leads me to believe that they can sustain it. But time will tell.

Soph

October 27th, 2011
2:02 pm

It’s even more shameful that the petrel knew before I did.

Snotboogie

October 27th, 2011
2:04 pm

It’s the thought that counts though so live it up Marteeen.

Marteen’s idea of living it up might be extra rounds of BP.

David O'Brien

October 27th, 2011
2:09 pm

Braves catching prospect Christian Bethancourt was hit in hand by pitch in Arizona Fall League on Wed., X-rays negative and he’s day-to-day. Which means I may or may not see him play next few days when I’m out there.

Ease

October 27th, 2011
2:12 pm

Atta gurl! More like it!

Murph

October 27th, 2011
2:23 pm

But I don’t think you just hand the position to an unproven kid who’s still developing, not without a solid fallback plan in place.

You mean like the fallback plan the team had for JHey? :)

Given the options that are currently out there on the FA market, not what could possibly be available via trade, and the needs that the club currently has (offense, offense, offense), I don’t see a big advantage to giving the job to a guy like Barmes over a kid like Pastornicky.

Experience is one thing that the kid lacks, yes. I guess it comes down to whether you’d rather have experience plus mediocre bat or inexperienced plus solid bat out there.

If it were up to me, and I’m sure many of you are glad it’s not, I’d go into ST telling the kid that it’s his job to lose. Go sign a vet if you feel like you need the insurance, but see what he can do when given the opportunity.

Is a month or two at AAA really going to make much of a difference in his development?

cricket

October 27th, 2011
2:32 pm

DAP

October 27th, 2011
2:37 pm

efrim and lew, the thing about bibi jones and athletes matters because the inference was that her “services” helped recruit players to a certain agent. it doesnt look like thats true, but if it was it would be a huge ethical issue. thats why it matters.

by the way, i couldnt find uggla tied to it at all in serval articles i read, includeing the ones bravesfansince80s said it was in. pretty good chance he lied about it.

Ease

October 27th, 2011
2:43 pm

DAP,

She told the Boston radio station she had encounters with Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla and Phoenix Coyotes player Paul Bissonette (Bissonette has denied Jones’ claim).

DAP

October 27th, 2011
2:43 pm

i think the braves need ot get a veteran utility INF who can handle SS to start there until partornicky is ready. serval of those are free agents this year, including barmes, scutaro, santiago, carroll, ect.

cricket

October 27th, 2011
2:45 pm

DAP

October 27th, 2011
2:46 pm

ease, not that id ont trust you…got a link? cause ive been clicking around and cant find a thing mentioning uggla.

DAP

October 27th, 2011
2:46 pm

just in time. thanks cricket.

cricket

October 27th, 2011
2:47 pm

http://www.businessinsider.com/terry-bross-porn-agent-2011-10

However Bross only signed one major client in 2010, Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla — whom Jones said she slept with in a radio interview on Monday.

Uggla switched agents and signed with Bross on July 28, 2010, three weeks after a road trip to Phoenix to play the Diamondbacks.

ncscoots

October 27th, 2011
2:47 pm

If it were up to me, and I’m sure many of you are glad it’s not, I’d go into ST telling the kid that it’s his job to lose.

I’d rather just let him play in ST and make him change my mind about sending him down. Nobody expected Furcal to make the big club they year that he did so. Pastornicky might grab the opportunity and hold on, for all we know. If that happens, then you have a great utility guy on the bench in the vet SS you signed earlier. If it doesn’t, then you still have a good glove guy to start every day.

I’d rather do that and be pleasantly surprised, than bank on The Rev and be horribly disappointed.

DAP

October 27th, 2011
2:49 pm

However Bross only signed one major client in 2010, Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla — whom Jones said she slept with in a radio interview on Monday.

Uggla switched agents and signed with Bross on July 28, 2010, three weeks after a road trip to Phoenix to play the Diamondbacks.

that looks bad.

TennesseePaul

October 27th, 2011
2:55 pm

serval of those are free agents this year, including barmes, scutaro, santiago, carroll, ect.

I think the Sox hold an option on Scutaro and then he has an option. I don’t think he hits the market, though he’d be perfect… if he’d sign for one year. Doubtful though considering so many team could use a short stop, he’d certainly get a multi-year deal. Alas, I think this team will be aiming low on the SS market simply because they need a “stop gap.” A player willing to go in with the knowledge of being a potential backup/mentor to a rookie at some point and then hitting FA again a year older. That’s a tough spot for a player to willingly go into. And that’d rule out Rollins, Reyes, and Scutaro.

I’d rather do that and be pleasantly surprised, than bank on The Rev and be horribly disappointed.

This is starting to sound similar like RF. And I’d do it this way because I loves me a deep bench.

TennesseePaul

October 27th, 2011
2:56 pm

that looks bad.

It looks like a baseball player chasing a filthy, filthy slut. But is that really news?

Murph

October 27th, 2011
2:58 pm

including barmes, scutaro, santiago, carroll, ect.

Can’t hit, going to get his option picked up, can’t hit, can’t hit, etc…

Don’t get me wrong, I do see value in signing a veteran. I just don’t think the veteran that they sign, given the quality of veterans available, should go into ST thinking they are the starting SS.

The only thing any of the above candidates has on Pastornicky is experience. While that’s valuable, no doubt about it, I put more of a premium on ability.

RC

October 27th, 2011
3:03 pm

Trade for a SS. Stephen Drew maybe?

James

October 27th, 2011
3:03 pm

I was a loyal Publix shopper and this morning BiBi Jones came by my house and I now get my Bacon at Sweetbay.

Efrim

October 27th, 2011
3:04 pm

I thought Bethancourt had worse numbers than .289/.304/.385 (410 plate appearances) this year between Rome and Lynchburg. Can anyone tell me what the average big league catcher hit in the NL this year? Also, how do I easily get to those numbers? I know there is a way through B-R or Fangraphs…there has to be.

DS1

October 27th, 2011
3:04 pm

When I think of handing the SS job to Pastornicky, thoughts of Marte, Betemit, Komminsk, etc comes to mind.

Let’s not rush the kid.

DS1

October 27th, 2011
3:05 pm

RC

Drew has a large contract. Besides, if Pastornicky IS all that, then we don’t need a long term solution.

Efrim

October 27th, 2011
3:07 pm

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Matt Kemp’s agent Dave Stewart indicated that his client will not give the Dodgers a hometown discount as part of a contract extension.

That’s your next 200 million dollar contract if he has a similar 2012 as he did in ‘11. Or at least 180 million…

Ease

October 27th, 2011
3:08 pm

OK, that interview implicating Uggla was with Toucher and Rich. For those in ATL, you may know these guys from 99X. Rich was a king for the gag, so I now question the thing. Very skeptical…

RC

October 27th, 2011
3:09 pm

DS1,

Drew’s contract is for 2012 only, for $7.5 million. There is a mutual option for $10 million for 2013, but I doubt that both player and team would be on the same page of exercising it. $7.5 million is a lot, but it’s not crazy high, and it is for only one year.

raleighbravefan

October 27th, 2011
3:09 pm

10Paul – Cost (amoung other things) already ruled out Reyes and Rollins.

CrαZy

October 27th, 2011
3:12 pm

Got home just in time today to see the Braves lose the 1991 WS for the 500th time. I think I’ll start drinking now!!

TennesseePaul

October 27th, 2011
3:14 pm

Efrim,
.245/.313/.389/.703 across the major leagues,
.250/.320/.388/.708 in the NL and
.238/.305/.391/.696 in the AL

Murph

October 27th, 2011
3:15 pm

Was Marte rushed? He only played 20 games in Atlanta and then got shipped off to Cleveland where he only played in 50 the next year… he was just one of those really good minor league players who couldn’t handle the bigs.

TennesseePaul

October 27th, 2011
3:16 pm

I know there is a way through B-R

Leagues > All Major Leagues (Batting) > 2011 > Batting [+] (League Splits)

Efrim

October 27th, 2011
3:17 pm

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:17 pm

Hello everyone! I bet Pastornicky wins the job! I would like a rookie in there playing SS.

TennesseePaul

October 27th, 2011
3:18 pm

Was Marte rushed? He only played 20 games in Atlanta and then got shipped off to Cleveland where he only played in 50 the next year

He was a Tyler Flowers, though with more press. He was highly ranked, played 20 games and the team dealt while his stock was high. Andy Marte is why the Braves have Jair Jurrjens.

Andy Marte > BoSox for Renteria+Cash : Renteria > Detroit for Jurrjens et al.

ncscoots

October 27th, 2011
3:18 pm

This is starting to sound similar like RF.

Well, yeah, except for the fact that Pastornicky isn’t in the same zipcode as Heyward, as a ballplayer. You know, except for that. :-)

Efrim

October 27th, 2011
3:19 pm

.245/.313/.389/.703 across the major leagues,
.250/.320/.388/.708 in the NL and
.238/.305/.391/.696 in the AL

Leagues > All Major Leagues (Batting) > 2011 > Batting [+] (League Splits)

Thanks, TenneseePaul.

James

October 27th, 2011
3:19 pm

I have never seen a player given a job yet with the Braves. I have seen players earn a job with great minor league numbers or great spring training performances and hold onto those jobs with nice careers and I have seen them fail after the same, but never have I seen any of them just handed a job out of a hat so to speak

If Pastonicky is the opening day SS it will be because his AA and AAA numbers were good and he earned it in ST

RC

October 27th, 2011
3:21 pm

The funny thing about Marte is that if you look back at his minor league numbers, they really weren’t all that good. At least not compared to the hype he received.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=marte-001and

TennesseePaul

October 27th, 2011
3:24 pm

He might have been joking, since he’s clearly not a fan of the concepts associated with the book
…sites his quote on over reliance on a single stat…
Let’s put aside the fact that the point of Moneyball was not “OBP=Good”
–Dave Cameron (The Dangers of On-Base Percentage)

Not a very good start to this article.

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:24 pm

From what I hear. Wren is looking at Prado in LF,and Diaz backing him up,and it sounds like he wants to go with Heyward in RF,but he wants a stronger Corner guy, that can play RF,and LF in case Heyward can’t cut it.

Efrim

October 27th, 2011
3:25 pm

TennesseePaul

October 27th, 2011
3:26 pm

except for the fact that Pastornicky isn’t in the same zipcode as Heyward, as a ballplayer. You know, except for that.

Except a comparison of Pastornicky and Heyward wasn’t what I was referring to. Nay, I was musing about the need to get some one in there in case the youngster flops. And in the event he doesn’t, the depth of the team is excellent.

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:27 pm

Think about who would make a strong RF,and LF corner guy. That’s what I think Wren will look for. That’s from what I’ve been reading lately.

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:28 pm

Wren,and theBraves feel Pastornicky is close,and almost ready…….

TennesseePaul

October 27th, 2011
3:28 pm

but never have I seen any of them just handed a job out of a hat so to speak

See Freeman, Freddie circa 2011 and Heyward, Jason circa 2010. Those jobs were handed to the kids. They couldn’t lose them because there was no one there to lose them to.

RC

October 27th, 2011
3:29 pm

He was a Tyler Flowers, though with more press. He was highly ranked, played 20 games and the team dealt while his stock was high. Andy Marte is why the Braves have Jair Jurrjens.

Andy Marte > BoSox for Renteria+Cash : Renteria > Detroit for Jurrjens et al.

Does this mean we can also blame him for Nate McLouth?

Andy Marte > BoSox for Renteria+Cash : Renteria > Detroit for Jurrjens & Gorkys Hernandez : Hernandez & Charlie Morton & Jeff Locke > Nate McLouth

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:29 pm

People think the oranization don’t know what they are talking about? I think your going to see Pastronicky soon…….

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:31 pm

I have faith inPastornicky…….

TennesseePaul

October 27th, 2011
3:31 pm

Made it…

There will be no stopping you now. ( :

TennesseePaul

October 27th, 2011
3:32 pm

Does this mean we can also blame him for Nate McLouth?

He can only hold a third of the blame. And, considering the slash line has three aggregates AVG/OBP/SLG, we could optimistically assign McLouths solid OBP to Marte and lay the rest at the feet of Morton and Locke.

Efrim

October 27th, 2011
3:35 pm

Not a very good start to this article.

Anything that is anti-Tony La Russa is good to me… :)

Can’t stand the guy. And the bullpen phone garbage is just adds more fuel to the fire. I hope the Rangers crush them tonight.

Efrim

October 27th, 2011
3:36 pm

And I don’t even like rooting for tha Ameican League team – yet I’ve had to do it four years in a row. Haven’t rooted for the NL in the series since the Rockies in ‘07.

Efrim

October 27th, 2011
3:39 pm

Why in the world would the Yankees want to get even older and offer Carlos Beltran a three year deal? Just doesn’t make any sense.

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:40 pm

Just maybe The Braves don’t have to do much?Just maybe Heyward has a monster year next year under Walker as hitting coach? If we have the players than the Braves shouldn’t have to do too much at all,but Just as Wren says……So we sit back,and wait…….

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:41 pm

I hope the Cards lose now. I’m tired of their whinning…….

James

October 27th, 2011
3:41 pm

Tennessee Paul

Did you miss this part about being handed jobs? I think you did. They not handed the jobs, they earned the jobs.

I have never seen a player given a job yet with the Braves. “”"”"”"”"”I have seen players earn a job with great minor league numbers or great spring training performances”"”"”"”"”"”" which both Freeman and Heyward both did and there is always someone to lose a job to…. Called trades
and hold onto those jobs with nice careers and I have seen them fail after the same, but never have I seen any of them just handed a job out of a hat so to speak

Efrim

October 27th, 2011
3:42 pm

ESPN.com Rumor Central stuff:


Braves prospect news

The Atlanta Braves have a few shortstop prospects in their system, including Tyler Patsornicky, Andrelton Simmons and Matt Lipoka. The club, however, moved Lipka to center field for fall instructs and the experiment worked well enough that he’ll play the position full-time next season, tweets David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Costitution.

Lipka’s best physical attributes are his speed and arm strength, so if he learns to take good routes and gets good instinctual jumps on fly balls, the No. 35 pick in the 2010 draft should be the Braves next regular center fielder.

Simmons, a second-round pick in 2010, has shown more ability at the plate than many skeptics expected, O’Brien writes. His hands and arm strength suggest a good shot to stick at shortstop, though he’s probably two or three years away from the majors, if not more.

Pastornicky, who ended the season in Triple-A, could be big league starting shortstop out of spring training. Alex Gonzlez’s contract is up, as is Jack Wilson’s, and it doesn’t seem like the Braves are interested in spending on either Jose Reyes or Jimmy Rollins via free agency.

- Jason A. Churchill

TennesseePaul

October 27th, 2011
3:46 pm

Can’t stand the guy. And the bullpen phone garbage is just adds more fuel to the fire.

I could care less about him. His place in the Hall and in baseball history is already made. I do love Albert Pujols and want to see him hit 15 HR over the next two games shattering all previous records of all kinds. And I love the NL. Won’t be sad if the Rangers win as they are not Boston or New York. But I would prefer St. Louis get a bit more closer to the Yanks in titles.

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:46 pm

DS1

October 27th, 2011
3:48 pm

RC

Hey, I like Drew as a SS, but will the Braves pay 3 times what they paid Gonzo last year with Pastornicky supposedly being close.

Murph

I didn’t say that Marte had been rushed. I was just stating the names of some past prospects that we thought were can’t miss prospects. Just saying that at this point, Pastornicky is not a sure thing.

We need a Plan A.

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:50 pm

The way it sounds, is Pastornikcy is to the Braves front office. They sound confident.

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:52 pm

I really don’t see the braves spending money on a SS this year. I see LF,and RF corner guy that they are looking at.I hate to say this to you guy’s. I’m banking that Pastornicky is it at SS. Which I will welcome ………

Murph

October 27th, 2011
3:52 pm

If Pastornicky is good enough for Ward and Jason A. Churchill, he’s good enough for me.

DS1

October 27th, 2011
3:54 pm

Well heck, that settles it then. It’s Pastornicky at SS for 2012.

Now lets move on to who we get as our middle infield backup?

Or next corner outfielder to back up Heyward and Prado?

TnBrian

October 27th, 2011
3:55 pm

Just goes to show some people’s thinking – if a position was well handled (SS) it gets overlooked. Gonzalez doesn’t need to hit, imo. He beats teams with his glove. We don’t have many strikeout pitchers except for Beachy and Hanson and it isn’t like either are big K guys anyways. Defense is important for this team, none more than SS. I like Alex there again at his price.

Ward

October 27th, 2011
3:56 pm

I’m curious to see who will be the Corner guy in LF,and RF.They may not pick up Hinski’s contract.

Jeff R

October 27th, 2011
3:56 pm

Small chance of rain tonight in St. Louis. However, overcast, chilly, and damp… GREAT baseball weather. I can’t wait for the MLB to expand the playoffs, pushing the World Series into November. Won’t that be special!

Lew

October 27th, 2011
3:58 pm

Ease- Wasn’t trying to be funny. My wife was on a two week business trip that took her down to Miami. I had to pick her up at the airport.

We’re back.

CrαZy

October 27th, 2011
3:58 pm

If my chocies are Agon and the Pastor then I’d just asume go with the Pastor! Who would be option number 2 if he falls on his face? Would we keep Jack or find another backup SS?

Murph

October 27th, 2011
3:58 pm

TnBrian, I also liked Gonzo… but as some have mentioned, he’s likely to get a multi-year deal which the Braves could have a hard time matching.

If the team could sign him to a one year deal, great. Chances of that happening at his age, though? I wouldn’t bet on it.

RC

October 27th, 2011
4:00 pm

RC

Hey, I like Drew as a SS, but will the Braves pay 3 times what they paid Gonzo last year with Pastornicky supposedly being close.

Probably not. But I still don’t see how Pastornicky being close really matters in this case. Drew is a one-year stopgap if you get him, then he becomes a free agent.

Ward

October 27th, 2011
4:00 pm

I read that Wren, could be looking for a bench guy too,but not sure on that yet?

RC

October 27th, 2011
4:04 pm

Trivia time: There are two MLB franchises with with the Atlanta Braves have not made a trade since the 1990’s. Can you name them?

raleighbravefan

October 27th, 2011
4:08 pm

Lew – Sounds like your better…err…other half got a weather shock upon arrival.

Ward

October 27th, 2011
4:08 pm

One other thing is bull-pen help,because of the over use of the big Three.

ncscoots

October 27th, 2011
4:10 pm

Can you name them?

I’m going with Baltimore and, oh, somebody else. :-)

TnBrian

October 27th, 2011
4:10 pm

Murph, yeah Gonzo for a year, maybe two, until Pastornicky is really ready for such a demanding position in the bigs. No multi year deals.

Lew

October 27th, 2011
4:11 pm

raleighbraves – Well, kind of, maybe, a little bit. She had gone from Miami up to Portland Maine. She got her shock over the weekend.

There’s snow up on the mountains over at Killington. Too bad the Killington Resort collapsed in the hurricane flooding. Hope they’ve about got it re-built.

TnBrian

October 27th, 2011
4:12 pm

RC, Twins and Giants?

Ward

October 27th, 2011
4:12 pm

Well, I’ll talk later,and be on tonight,and peace…..Go!!!! Rangers!!!!!!

CB

October 27th, 2011
4:12 pm

RC,I will go with Boston and Dodgers.

ncscoots

October 27th, 2011
4:16 pm

However, overcast, chilly, and damp… GREAT baseball weather

We’ll get some of that front this weekend, in NC. First cold snap of the year, which always makes me get a little urge to head west to the mountains.

And that reminds me (finally) to ask O’Brien if he’s ever ridden the Cherohala Skyway. Have you, David? It’s a biker’s dream, that road.

CB

October 27th, 2011
4:19 pm

Past the peak on the leaves,scoots. Should have gone last week like we did. :-)

raleighbravefan

October 27th, 2011
4:20 pm

Lew – I was thinking Miami to VT. Didn’t know about interim side trip.

Efrim

October 27th, 2011
4:20 pm

There are two MLB franchises with with the Atlanta Braves have not made a trade since the 1990’s. Can you name them?

Teams I’m thinking of: Orioles, Indians, Giants, Expos/Nationals…..

Murph

October 27th, 2011
4:22 pm

Tampa Bay and Washington

TnBrian

October 27th, 2011
4:22 pm

RC, hurry man! What’s the answer? I’m impatient with this stuff

raleighbravefan

October 27th, 2011
4:22 pm

The high here will drop about 30 deg from today to weekend. We may even see the first frost of the season. Ave first frost is about this time of year.

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