Braves shortstop Pastornicky: “I’m ready to do this.”
Tyler Pastornicky told reporters in September that he couldn’t afford to think about possibly being the Braves’ shortstop as soon as the 2012 season, that he just needed to keep working and be ready when he got his chance.
It looks like we’re about to find out if he’s ready.
Barring anything unexpected in the next two months, it looks as if the Braves will go into the upcoming season with the speedy rookie as their regular shortstop and veteran Jack Wilson as his backup. The Braves didn’t try to retain slick-fielding, weak-hitting veteran Alex Gonzalez, who signed a free-agent contract with Milwaukee.
Pastornicky had a career-best season in 2011, hitting .314 with a .359 on-base percentage, seven homers and 27 stolen bases in 117 games last season at Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. He hit .365 in 27 games for Gwinnett before missing the final month with a sprained ankle.
He was added to Atlanta’s roster for the last game of the season but didn’t play in the loss to Philadelphia.
A native of Bradenton, Fla., Pastornicky turned 22 in December and could join Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman to give the Braves three lineup regulars 22 or younger. The last team to win a league championship with three regulars 22 or younger was the 1970 Cincinnati Reds.
This week, Pastornicky talked with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s David O’Brien about the the upcoming season and his possible role with the big-league Braves.
Q: When we asked you in September about possibly being the Braves’ shortstop in 2012, here’s what you said: “I’m just trying to get better. If it’s my time, it’s my time. If it’s not, I’ve just got to wait. I’m just trying to get better, and when they call my name I’m going to be ready.”
Well, does it feel like it’s your time and are you ready?
A: I’m definitely ready. I’ve still got a lot of hard work to do. Hopefully it works out that way, but I definitely feel like I’m ready to go. I’m confident. I think I’m ready to do this.
Q: At what point this winter did you start to really believe you might be the Braves’ shortstop in 2012? Has any team official told you it could go that way, or are you just hearing it from other people?
A: That’s another thing — I truly don’t look at all the media. I’ve got a lot of my friends who send me links and everything. I tell them, guys I don’t want to read it, but it’s just them being friends. I still have to come into camp and play hard. It’s definitely not set by any means. I have to come in and play hard. I haven’t been told anything like that [that he’ll be the starter]. I wouldn’t expect [to be told that before spring training]. I’ve got to go in and show them I’m ready. That’s my job to do.
Q: But how excited are you, and does the possibility drive you more during your offseason workouts?
A: Oh definitely. The opportunity is out there for me, so it’s something that motivates you a little more to get through your workouts, an incentive, having that in the back of your mind that it could possibly happen.
Q: How have you spent the offseason, as far as workouts? Done anything different than past years?
A: Yeah, I got right to it this year and didn’t take much time off. With the ankle injury I had about a month off during the season, so I felt like I was ready to go immediately [in the offseason]. My ankle was healed so I got going. I’ve added about 10, 11 pounds and I feel like I’ve gained some strength and speed. Physically I feel really well.”
Q: Talk a little bit about your plan of going to California to work out with Jack Wilson next month before camp starts. How did that come about?
A: At the end of last year when I got called up the last day of the season, I was talking to him, picking his brain, asking him some questions. He’s a great guy who’s had a great career. He mentioned something about coming out there to work out with him. I didn’t know how serious he was, but we stayed in touch and when he signed [with the Braves] he said ‘Come out, you’ve got a job to win.’ I said let’s do it; can’t turn that down. It just goes to show what type of guy he really is…. I’m going out there Feb. 15, then I’ll go straight to spring training from there.
Q: When were you completely healed from the sprained ankle that sidelined you for the final weeks of the Triple-A season?
A: When I got called up the last day I was pretty much healed, I was doing cuts and everything at that point. Then after the season I came home, saw my trainer and continued to do the rehab and after about another week it was 100 percent healed. It hasn’t restricted me one bit.
Q: Was it beneficial you to get the callup on the last day of the season with the Braves, even though you didn’t get to play in that season-ending loss to the Phillies?
A: Definitely. It was pretty cool getting called up the last day, being in that atmosphere, walking in and seeing the focus, seeing how everything went down. Guys can play a long time in the big leagues and not get to experience something like that. You could see it’s all about winning, not about whether you went 0-for-4 or hit a home run.
It’s tough [losing the season finale and missing the playoffs]. It was not easy being in there, but it was definitely a good experience to get to see that. It just shows you how much it really means to those guys, that it really doesn’t matter what they did in that game or how their season went — a lot of guys in there had a great year, but still they were crushed [after the loss]. It was a good experience for me to be able to see how much it really means to them.
Q: You mentioned in September wanting to regain some weight you’d lost last season and get a little stronger. You say you’ve able to do that this winter?
A: Oh yeah, I got with my trainer and told him what I wanted to be able to accomplish, and we laid out a good workout plan and also a nutrition plan. I got a nutritionist and I’ve been eating good. Lot of proteins, lot of carbs.
Q: What have Jack or other Braves told you about what to expect at spring training?
A: Just to come in and play hard, because everything that I’m going to do is going to be watched. I’m going to be under the microscope, and that’s good. I’m going to ask a lot of questions of guys who have done it before, older guys and guys like Jason [Heyward].
I’m confident, and I think that’s a good thing. I don’t think you can go in there and be timid. I’m going to respect the veterans and everything they’re about. But I’m going to go in and be confident. I do think it’s definitely best to go in those first couple of years and do more with your ears than your mouth.
Q: I would imagine that spending some time in big-league camp last year helps you now, to sort of know the lay of the land?
A: For sure. It was a good experience going through that, seeing how guys go through their daily routines, how they get themselves ready. It was beneficial from that aspect.
Q: How long were you in camp?
A: I was there until the first cuts and then got called up for a few [spring training] games.
Q: If you get the starting job, the Braves will have three players 22-or-younger among their regular lineup. Does the first-year success of the other two, Freddie Freeman last year and Jason Heyward in 2010, help you believe you can come in and contribute?
A: Definitely. Jason and Freddie both are extremely talented, but it shows you that young guys can go up there and have success if they play their game and go about their business the right way. It’s a confidence builder to see that from young guys when they go up there.”
Q: Do you have goals in mind for next season, specific statistical goals?
A: Not so much statistical goals. I want to go in camp ready to go, that’s something I’ve said since the end of last year, to go into camp and be able to play my best. Whatever happens [with the roster and lineup], I can’t control a lot of that stuff. I’m going to control what I can control and play hard.
Q: What were you most pleased about with your performance last season – any areas where you set goals and were able to meet them?
A: Yeah, the consistency thing was a big one for me last year. That was my main goal, to be more consistent. In previous years I felt like I had a good year, and then I’d look back at the stats after the season and see I hit .270 and think, oh man. I thought about it a lot and realized I could do better if there weren’t as many ups and downs, if it wasn’t such a rocky ride, if it was smoother. I definitely had a more consistent season [in 2011].
Q: What do you think will be the biggest keys for you to succeed at the big-league level, offensively and defensively?
A: I think just to play my game, not try to be something that I’m not. Play my game and do whatever I can to help the team win. Whatever that is, if that’s bunting, taking an extra base, whatever is asked of me that’s going to help me have a successful season.
Q: How good a base-stealer do you think you can be at the big-league level?
A: Pretty good. I’ve definitely picked the brains of some good base stealers. I think I’m pretty good on the bases, I’m pretty fast and my speed’s gotten better this offseason. I’ve worked on my jumps, and hopefully in camp I’ll get to talk to Michael Bourn and get some tips that he uses.
Q: You came to the Braves from Toronto as part of the July 2010 shortstop trade that sent Yunel Escobar to the Blue Jays for Alex Gonzalez. Now it looks like you’ll be replacing Gonzalez in the lineup. Does it feel like things have moved quickly?
A: Yeah, it’s kind of cool. I was talking about it the other day with a couple of guys I was working out with, how it was the best thing that could have happened to me, to be able to come over here [to the Braves] and show what I can do. It has happened pretty fast, but I put myself in position for it to happen. A lot of it’s to do with the Braves organization, and a lot’s to do with myself, to be able to step up and have the year I had.
Q: You don’t seem overwhelmed by it. Has your dad [third baseman Cliff Pastornicky made it to the majors with Kansas City in 1983] helped you in that regard, helping you prepare mentally?
A: Absolutely. I think having that as backing behind you — from even before I signed, he was telling me what to expect, how to go into it. And ever since then he’s given me heads up, hints on how to go through it. He’s let me learn my lessons and take some bumps and bruises. But a lot of guy can get mixed up in the shuffle and I was able to get through it pretty quick.
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186 comments Add your comment
Venice Jim
January 25th, 2012
2:18 pm
Thanks, DOB!
flange1
January 25th, 2012
2:25 pm
As usual, great job DOB!
Michael Bryan
January 25th, 2012
2:27 pm
Go get’um, Tyler!
Jimmy
January 25th, 2012
2:31 pm
Good read DOB!
renegade#1
January 25th, 2012
2:35 pm
Hope P-nicky shows out. ROY how cool would that be?
BravesFanLostInOhio
January 25th, 2012
2:41 pm
Nice interview. Glad to see he is so excited to work hard!
AdirondackDave
January 25th, 2012
2:43 pm
The kid seems to have an excellent attitude to go along with his physical skills. I’ll be pulling for him.
PMC
January 25th, 2012
2:45 pm
Pastornicky came over in the Escobar trade right?
Rob
January 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
Thanks DOB, good read.
Rob
January 25th, 2012
2:51 pm
PMC – Yes, he did. Just like it says in the article.
Bob the Blogger
January 25th, 2012
2:51 pm
Yes, that was the nice thing about the trade – Toronto sent us Alex G.’s successor along with him in exchange for Escobar. Look’s like it might be working out real well for the Braves.
Chuck Simon's Barber Shop
January 25th, 2012
2:52 pm
Dave, good interview, best of luck to T-Pas. A bit off topic: A small group of hard core fans from the shop are planning to go to the team workouts Feb 27-29, before the spring sched starts. Info is scant from the organization on tickets for these times. Any info you can share? Thanks
charles
January 25th, 2012
3:00 pm
If he is going to talk to Heyward about playing hard and hitting then you might as well send him to the minors because he is done.
Rob
January 25th, 2012
3:04 pm
Charles – that is incredibly incorrect, insulting, and likely a little bit racist.
Bat Masterson
January 25th, 2012
3:04 pm
Good interview, David.
He seems like a sharp levelheaded kid.
Zach
January 25th, 2012
3:08 pm
DOB, you mean 2011 for tyler’s best season, right?
SRC
January 25th, 2012
3:10 pm
The whole “number of teams” or “last team” w/ 3 players under 23 to accomplish X isn’t really the best gauge, I don’t think. There are probably very few teams through history that had three starters less than age 23, simply because every year people get older.
charles
January 25th, 2012
3:11 pm
@ Rob Its not racist. Your just another Heyward lover. When are you guys realize that he is OVERRATED
Hughdaman
January 25th, 2012
3:11 pm
Wow! It only took 14 post before the race card was thrown out.
Rob
January 25th, 2012
3:12 pm
If by “lover” you mean I can see his potential and can see that potential backed up by statistics, then yes. I’m a lover of a guy who gets on base at an absurd rate, plays good defense with a plus arm, and has power potential. You are a “hater” who thinks he is lazy with no reason to back that up. I bet you’re a huge Costanza fan.
smyrnabob
January 25th, 2012
3:15 pm
Good luck Tyler. He will be replacing the number 8 bat, so hopefully his defense will be good enough to keep him around long enough to see how good his bat can become. Gonzo and Uggla actually had a nice double play pivot going last year.
WestGaBrave
January 25th, 2012
3:15 pm
Heyward said all the right things last year and sucked. I hope they all play close to their potential this year!
charles
January 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
if YOU think 246avg 14 hrs and running his mouth is statistics then i guess your right that he is a so called superstar.
alanfalcon
January 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Good luck, once again the Braves have a potential winner, just field your position and don’t worry about the bat, can’t be any worse than Gonzo in the box.
Tommy Dew
January 25th, 2012
3:32 pm
What a well spoken, grounded kid. Having a dad in the Majors is a big advantage. Kudos to Jack Wilson for being a mentor. I can’t wait for Spring Training.
1eyedJack
January 25th, 2012
3:44 pm
Everybody is going to have their career year this year. A fella can dream.
donte080
January 25th, 2012
3:44 pm
For a team in the playoff hunt, braves sure better be right about a 22 year old wet-behind-the ears kid to play the vital position of SS…To me, that’s a huge risk with not a viable Plan B option.
j
January 25th, 2012
3:49 pm
Best of luck to him! Please don’t ask Heyward anything. We don’t need bad attitudes rubbing off on him
Hey Charles, listen to 680 the fan and others who actually interview him. Your opinion may be really different.
Jamesh
January 25th, 2012
3:49 pm
@ Charles funny how because u think he’s overrated that it is fact.Reality is he’s only had 2 seasons u can’t call a 22 year old kid with so little experience as overrated. There is such a thing called growing pains and having to learn how to adjust to the league after it’s adjusted to you.Let the kid be around for awhile before you jump to conclusions with so little evidence.
Mike#1
January 25th, 2012
3:50 pm
People that criticize Braves players on a Braves blog should probably use proper grammar to avoid looking like a complete moron in addition to looking like a douchebag.
J T Ellenwood
January 25th, 2012
3:55 pm
Charles you need to give Heyward another chances don’t throw the towel in on Heyward yet.
Fastball
January 25th, 2012
3:58 pm
Don’t count on him being the shortstop.
Bud
January 25th, 2012
4:00 pm
What is the possiblilty of Pastornicky or Andrelton Simmons eventually being the centerfielder for the Braves. I read that Simmons is looking real good at shortstop as well, but is a year or two away. We need a speedy centerfielder. I am looking at the regulars for the 2014 team (maybe 2013) as; C, McCann; 1b, Freeman; 2b, Uggla; 3b, Terdoslavich; ss, Pastornicky; lf, Prado; cf, ???; rf, Hayward.
We need a centerrfielder (I think Bourn will be too expensive after this year). So, can Pastornicky or Simmons move to centerfield?
Michael B
January 25th, 2012
4:00 pm
I saw Pastornicky play a few games in the minors and came away impressed by his plate approach. He never walked a lot, but he saw alot of pitches (fouled off 7 in one at bat in one of his AAA games) and made solid contact. My gut feeling is he will hold his own and win the job outright in the spring. Not sure how long he will be able to hold off Andrelton Simmons though.
urban redneck
January 25th, 2012
4:00 pm
i like this kid a lot. i wonder what we will do with him in a year or so when andrelton simmons comes up………..
and, to the j-hey bashers, get ready to eat crow……….or get back on the heyward bandwagon like the true bouchedags they are, saying they never lost faith.
charles
January 25th, 2012
4:01 pm
There is such a thing as running your mouth on how good you are and not showing it on the field. I am not going to say anymore because DOB kicked off my good friend Honey Bee on another site about saying the same things about your precious Heyward.
Michael B
January 25th, 2012
4:02 pm
Bud-
Simmons is definitely athletic enough to make the transistion but if he’s going to be moved to another position it’s going to be pitcher. Not sure Pastornicky has the arm for CF.
Michael B
January 25th, 2012
4:04 pm
However, I could see Pastornicky into a Martin Prado type super utility guy.
Michael B
January 25th, 2012
4:05 pm
that should say I could see Pastornicky turning into a Martin Prado type super utility guy.
Ken Stallings
January 25th, 2012
4:09 pm
When I compare him to what both shortstops from last season could do, I think this is an easy choice to give him the reins and see what happens. Maybe the kid will be the next Rafael Furcal!
Ken Stallings
January 25th, 2012
4:13 pm
Good interview and insight into the kid’s makeup. He seems to have a good and well-grounded head on his shoulders!
Trainwreck
January 25th, 2012
4:17 pm
Hope he can keep up the run of successful Braves rookies… also hope Freeman plays better his sophomore year and Heyward comes back strong from his sophomore slump. Also hope I reach in my pocket and find $1,000,000
Trainwreck
January 25th, 2012
4:17 pm
Well… no money but still holding on to hope for the rest of the Braves!
MikeY
January 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
My problem w/ Heyward is that he hit .192 against LH pitching last year. I think we need a platoon partner for him in RF, and I do not think that is Diaz. In fact, the Braves as a whole were dead last in the majors vs. LH pitching. We need a RH bat that can handle the tough lefties.
And I hope Pastornicky can handle the job. I am more worried about his fielding than his hitting. He had 26 errors last year, in 117 games: Gonzalez has just 12 in 149 games. I hope Pastornicky improves.
AZBravoFan
January 25th, 2012
4:24 pm
Maybe we can have “Tyler’s Pastors” behind the 3rd base dugout ….
Bob in SF
January 25th, 2012
4:32 pm
How great is it to have a pro like Jack Wilson take you under his wing? That will be invaluable to Tyler not only this season but the rest of his career.
Obee
January 25th, 2012
4:34 pm
Oh come on! I was hoping for a lot more whining.
Michael B
January 25th, 2012
4:36 pm
That would be an interesting group. I can see Tyler’s Pastors being a bunch of guys in khakis and a dress shrit holding up bibles whenever he does well.
lanier
January 25th, 2012
4:43 pm
we need more DOB its almost Braves Time. crank up the computor and fire out more stuff. the season is right around the corner
wjones
January 25th, 2012
4:43 pm
Not saying it is a complete reason, but remember Gonzo had Freeman at first and Pastor…did not. Throw in better quality of major league fields and some hard work, and I bet we see the errors go down. As for offense, Pastor runs better, and one would think that he would do better than Gonzo’s .270 OBP, or you will see us make a stop-gap trade.
Skeezix
January 25th, 2012
4:58 pm
What’s with all the Heyward bashing? He is very young, had a great rookie year (all star) but a very so, so sophomore year. In MLB, the second year is often a lousy one. He is not lazy and has a great attitude. He has had some injuries. When he gets it figured out, with his potential and strength, he is going to be like a reincarnation of Fred McGriff–only hitting the ball further.
He does need to improve in RF—both his range and his throwing.
There is no doubt that the most exciting Braves moment in recent history was his first at bat two seasons ago. It was electric.
So come on guys, cut him some slack.
meh
January 25th, 2012
5:06 pm
Good luck to him. Pretty much anything would better than Gonzalez.
Orange Brave f/k/a Billy Jack's BBQ
January 25th, 2012
5:09 pm
nice interview and exciting to have another promising youngster to watch, BUT relying on him to produce is a gamble.
I also would not say that Jack Wilson has had a “great career” as TP states. Solid, average, but well short of great…..
wjones
January 25th, 2012
5:11 pm
Skeezix, Amen, Brother. You’d think that some on the board consider it unmanly to write a single positive phrase about a player, an executive, or the team.
bowman
January 25th, 2012
5:11 pm
Gonzalez was slick-fielding when he could get to the ball. With a range of five feet, that wasn’t too often.
Looking forward to the kid coming in and giving us some exciting defense and electrifying offense.
Terrance
January 25th, 2012
5:21 pm
All Tyler needs to do is play good defense and show good plate discipline. Batting in front of the pitcher can be beneficial to him because he get pitched around at times. He can then utilize his speed on the base paths and cause havoc. Good luck Tyler looking forward to your contributions to the team.
Winter of George
January 25th, 2012
5:24 pm
Not so fast my friend….. P-Nicky, you’ll get your chance, but you’ve got to earn it.
Winter of George
January 25th, 2012
5:28 pm
Dave O’B…..I want credit for giving the P-Nicky name!
Don in TN
January 25th, 2012
5:34 pm
I like the way this kid talks, hope he does well. Good luck to him!
charles
January 25th, 2012
5:42 pm
Talking and doing are two different things. Just another Heyward all talk no do.
David O'Brien
January 25th, 2012
5:56 pm
There is such a thing as running your mouth on how good you are and not showing it on the field. I am not going to say anymore because DOB kicked off my good friend Honey Bee on another site about saying the same things about your precious Heyward. — charles
No, I didn’t ban anyone named Honey Bee “on another site,” whatever that means.
Gulf Coast
January 25th, 2012
6:01 pm
Great article, DOB. Should have asked him good places to park near McKechnie Field!
David O'Brien
January 25th, 2012
6:02 pm
Gulf Coast: that was good. Glad to know that story still resonates. It wasn’t fun at the time, but quite amusing after the fact.
OklahomaBrave
January 25th, 2012
6:08 pm
Dob, I think Charles believes you also run Capitol ave. too. He should be banned for not knowing what he’s talking about and befriending stupid honey bee. Whenever you start a saber blog let me know. I’m sure you have the time (sarcasm).
Disgusted
January 25th, 2012
6:11 pm
We have no choice but to wish Pastornicky the best and for those who do not see minor league baseball much, this will be out first real look at him.
I like what I read. Will find out if I like what I will see.
As for Heyward, at least give him the benefit of the doubt for the time being. He had a very good rookie yr in ‘10.
If he is struggling after 200 or so AB, then we should worry.
You know ownership is going to provide zilch, so we have to get behind out young players, have no choice. The only help on the way is what we have in house.
john
January 25th, 2012
6:23 pm
Good to see that Tyler has a good head on his shoulders–very mature answers–looking forward to seeing what he can do–Good luck Tyler! Go Braves!
Brownie
January 25th, 2012
6:30 pm
Got to think that based on what we’re hearing, Andrelton Simmons is the future SS for the Braves – he’s just not ready yet. Pastornicky has a chance to show he can play – speed, glove, and whatever bat he can bring. If the bat is strong, then you might see him replace Chipper at 3rd in ‘13. although, I know people think Terdoslavich is destined for 3rd.
Nice to have some options coming up.
Braves are gonna be young, younger, youngest for the next few years.
bruce
January 25th, 2012
6:34 pm
Dave, this story is an energizer…. look forward to hearing the vets give you their initial impressions of Passty or Nicky during ST… T minus 24 til PCR!!!
milo
January 25th, 2012
7:02 pm
So basically they are paying Jack Wilson a million to tudor and look over Taylor? Not a bad job, Im glad Jack is ok with it.
ohhhhYEAH
January 25th, 2012
7:09 pm
Heyward had a very good rookie year…..UNTIL he got hurt, missed the all-star game, and slumped all the way down the stretch, including a horrible post-season showing. Then he picked right back up last season with another first AB home run, and then after about three weeks he went in the tank…for good it seemed. So to say he had a very good rookie year is wrong. He had a vrey good FIRST HALF of his rookie year. In fact, he had an amazing first-half of his rookie year, but it just didnt stick with him for the whole year. Not to mention, he has now been hurt and missed a decent amount of time in both of his first two seasons. That doesn’t bode well.
ohhhhYEAH
January 25th, 2012
7:11 pm
milo….Who the f is “Taylor”? I wasn’t aware we had anyone on the team by that name
Bravefaninok
January 25th, 2012
7:37 pm
MikeY
January 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
My problem w/ Heyward is that he hit .192 against LH pitching last year. I think we need a platoon partner for him in RF, and I do not think that is Diaz. In fact, the Braves as a whole were dead last in the majors vs. LH pitching. We need a RH bat that can handle the tough lefties.
And I hope Pastornicky can handle the job. I am more worried about his fielding than his hitting. He had 26 errors last year, in 117 games: Gonzalez has just 12 in 149 games. I hope Pastornicky improves.
Jeter had like 35 errors his last year in the minors and he turned out alright.
hawesg
January 25th, 2012
9:19 pm
I thought Pastornicky was the new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts.
Bill
January 25th, 2012
9:23 pm
The kid sounds ready to go..good luck, now get it done.
Great interview DOB.
onlyonce
January 25th, 2012
9:41 pm
@ charles
Don’t worry about Robs comments, to some people anything you say, except praise, about a black person makes you a raciest, even if you didn’t know that person was black.
bustersonly
January 25th, 2012
9:47 pm
Heyward has a hole in his swing, or bat, and all the pitchers now know where it is and will continue to pitch to that sopt until J-Hey adjusts, it he can that is, hope Rob doesn’t call me a raceist.
rayk
January 25th, 2012
10:13 pm
excellent interview !
I wouldn’t describe Wilson’s career as “great” though.
he has to be the SS so he’ll learn as he goes. how much better he hits than Gonzalez is debatable, but he is much cheaper – and that is the main criteria nowadays.
that OF still looks pretty feeble though. by July when we’re in 3rd or 4th and 15 games out, maybe we can trade Bourn.
Kat
January 25th, 2012
10:15 pm
I met Tyler last summer when they played at Syracuse. None of the fans knew who he was and everyone was waiting for Teheran instead. Tyler was very nice – I wish him good luck this season.
Mitchell
January 26th, 2012
3:02 am
I saw a video of him on the Braves website. He seems really excited to give it his best shot.
Best of luck to him and us.
Let’s hope he doesn’t end up like:
Jordan Schafer
Yunel Escobar
Kelly Johnson
Jeff Francoeur, etc.
Or like Jason Heyward or Nate McLouth, Dan Uggla, Alex Gonzalez or any Brave prospect, trade or free agent acquisition who comes to Atlanta with great or even just slightly average expectations and falls flat.
Preston Hannatized.
January 26th, 2012
7:23 am
The Braves couldn’t even afford $3M for Cody Ross (the Red Sox could). Ross would have been a far more significant 4th OF and RH bat than Matt Diaz, no?
Bill M.
January 26th, 2012
8:03 am
The Braves deny any talk of selling. You will see some action when the Dodger’s are sold. Can’t wait until we get an owner who cares. The Braves are only a couple of players away from being really good.
Jeff
January 26th, 2012
8:06 am
I think it’s pretty funny how race will get brought up in EVERY single article or discussion where a black athlete is involved. This interview, which was done nicely DOB, and all of the comments should be focused on the athletes talents and their futures. We have 3 extremely talented 22ish players on our team this year. Yes, there is a learning curve for rookies and young players, but I trust our GM and coaches to get these kids ready for “The Show”. Best of luck to these kids and to our team in 2012. Go Braves
curt
January 26th, 2012
8:20 am
Interesting interview with Terry McGuirk and very disheartening if you are a fan. While I think that having a young team and building from within is a good idea, organizations can’t have every single piece that makes a winning team. There are times when you have to go outside and it is clear that the Braves are hamstrung by a budget. Yes,excessive overspending is not the way go go but as fans, all we see is teams within the division with budgets TWICE the Braves’ and these teams have sought out the best talent they can find to produce a winning team.
McGuirk is blaming everyone but himself and Liberty for the problem. He blames the fans for not filling the seats because if we did, the budget would be larger. He blames Time Warner for signing a television contract that at the time he probably concurred with.
Whatever happened to build it and they will come?
I think the Braves will be competitive this year but I seriously doubt they will make the playoffs and I think McGuirk is fine with this.
And, as the Braves continue to drift lower in the division, the fans will stay away which will result in future budget cuts will result in less of a team which in the end will put the Braves in the same catagory as the likes of Kansas City or Pittsburgh.
Its time for new ownership of this team…NOW
Cecil34
January 26th, 2012
8:21 am
Has anyone read the interview Tim Tucker did with Terry McGuirk?
I noticed comments cannot be made on that article – if they could, it would probably blow up AJC’s site.
Braves’ fans need to read this.
If there ever was a black and white statement by Liberty Media that they are in it just for the investment and whatever capital they can gain, this is it.
Despite Terry’s spin, It is obvious that:
1 – Liberty Media intends to keep costs (including payroll) down so as to at least break even so that the worth of the franchise increases (even from inflation of dollars) no matter what kind of product is put on the field – this is for profitability for future sale;
2- The Braves strategy is to let the rest of the division come to their level by sitting back and allowing the opposition to make foolish free agent acquisitions, not by competing with the opposition for them (this strategy is not totally unreasonable for the long term, but for the short term, the Braves could get burned by this);
3- as more of a cost saving measure to ensure (1) above, go with products of our minor league system so as not to exceed payroll constraints (Pastornicky?) whether they are totally ready or not;
4- Based upon TV deals that are long term deals, there will be no heroic influx of cash that is going to ever elevate payroll to more competitive levels, so do not expect any spending sprees of any kind in any area of operations (which could further decline attendance);
To this observer, it paints a very negative portrait of being owned by a corporation with no ties to Atlanta and no connection with the Southeast area at all. This does not bode well for this franchise, and I will have to say that Mcguirk and Liberty have made the decision that they are choosing simple bottom-line profitability over any championship trophies.
I would have to say this is a most revealing article that I am glad I have had the opportunity to read – it has added perspective to what is occuring with the Braves franchise.
Beware!
Really?
January 26th, 2012
8:24 am
@Mitchell
Really? Uggla included in that list? Really? If it wasn’t for him in mid season we wouldn’t have even been in the race and, moreover, his defense was far far better than we had heard or expected.
Mako
January 26th, 2012
8:58 am
Hope the kid has a great season…..that said, I’d be happy just to see some of the expensive “talent” remember how to hit the ball and stay healthy for more than 1/2 a season…enough said!
BravesFanSince80's
January 26th, 2012
9:08 am
@really?, bet you’ll change your tune about Ugly Dan’s fielding after a season next to a rookie with average defensive skills. he sucks at defense. period.
Chris
January 26th, 2012
9:14 am
There is a reason for farm systems. Some people act as if there is only free agency and trades. Obviously, no one would possibly know the production of a rookie, but i think Pastornicky will be just fine.
You lie
January 26th, 2012
9:20 am
@Cecil you obviously are either lying or have just gravely mistaken. The article you claim from Braves
Front office discussing exact payroll and divulging other details that fans would consider valuable insight can not exist cause DOB said that the Braves don’t disclose such things. Liar. Anyway, what you guys think of that new Wallflowers video?
Braves With Many ? Marks
January 26th, 2012
9:43 am
Chipper Jones – How many games, how many injuries ?
Martin Prado – A .300 hitter or a .260 hitter (we know with no power either way).
Tyler Pastornicky – Rookie. Jack Wilson hitter or a Jimmy Rollins hitter ? We need Jimmy Rollins hitter.
Jason Heyward – The next Hank Aaaron or the next Michael Tucker. I say the latter. Prove me wrong Heyward !
DawgDad
January 26th, 2012
10:22 am
Pastornicky is an all-in draw on an inside straight, not the type of move playoff contenders make.
This is born out of GM mistakes – Chipper’s contract, Uggla’s contract, and especially Lowe’s contract.
I don’t have a problem with the team having a budget, at $94 million it seems quite reasonable. The issue at the moment is the team is caught between the old budget management and the new with those big contracts still hanging over them. You take half of Chipper’s salary plus the $10 million the Braves are paying Lowe to not be here and they have themselves a legitimate left fielder and veteran shortstop for Pastornicky to compete with. Wilson is a good glove man off the bench, but if he has to play every day it will be ugly. Whoever plays shortstop is going to have to play at a near-gold-glove level, like Gonzalez did, or the Braves infield will ruin some very good young pitching.
don
January 26th, 2012
10:33 am
Andrus is better. Oh, wait, the Braves gave the all-star shortstop to the AL champion Rangers. Simmons will never be an Andrus but he is better all around longterm than Pastornicky.
BravesfaninWis
January 26th, 2012
10:35 am
He better hope for his sake he is ready. I won’t hold my breath though. I hope he does well, but his defense leaves a lot to be desired. We shall see.
David O'Brien
January 26th, 2012
10:40 am
Front office discussing exact payroll and divulging other details that fans would consider valuable insight can not exist cause DOB said that the Braves don’t disclose such things. Liar. Anyway, what you guys think of that new Wallflowers video? — You Lie
From Tim’s excellent article: He said the Braves have “a little over $90 million right now” committed toward 2012 salaries and will reach the previously undisclosed $94 million budget, up slightly from last year, with acquisitions before or during the season.
You Lie, perhaps you should read more closely and watch fewer Wallflowers videos. (They’re rather mediocre anyway.)
Lemke's Knuckler
January 26th, 2012
10:42 am
Nice interview. He seems like he has a good head on his shoulders. And how about Jack Wilson. He sounds like a future coach in the making, already taking the initiative to helps the next generation of ballplayers in the twilight of his playing career. That takes a lot of class and I’m glad the Braves brought him back. And I think Jack Wilson is one of the best defensive shortstops of the past decade, not a bad guy to learn from at all.
Lemke's Knuckler
January 26th, 2012
10:43 am
Let’s just hope Pastornicky and Wilson don’t start talking hitting.
DawgDad
January 26th, 2012
10:44 am
I’ll add this: When the Braves signed Uggla they needed a right-handed power bat for the middle of the order. They knew Uggla’s defense is a liability, but overall tolerable IF he hits and IF he hits lefties. Available left fielders were either too expensive in salary or prospects. It’s apparent they decided it was less disruptive to have Chipper’s backup rotate in from the outfield vs. second base (Prado), and theoretically easier to find complementary pieces to play left when Prado is at third.
Problem is, they’ve whiffed on all counts up to this point. Uggla did not hit lefties, and wasn’t consistent enough to anchor the lineup. His defense was steady, but it steadily reminded everyone Prado was an all-star, and he’s a load on the payroll. Prado did not hit enough to warrant playing left field every day, and they never got acceptable production from the backfill players. Now they’ve got the added burdens of relying on a completely untested shortstop and overcoming the epic collapse. Ugggg-ly.
Braves With Many ? Marks
January 26th, 2012
11:08 am
Its sad to start a season with so many things that needs to fall into place to compete. We watch the Tigers sign Prince Fielder,the Marlins sign 3 stars,the Phillies sign a closer (their only previous weakness) while the Braves cut Lowe but pay most of his salary. Yeah, Braves fans really should be excited about 2012…Liberty Media, please sell the team to an owner willing to spend money on the team.
Braves With Many ? Marks
January 26th, 2012
11:10 am
Don’t worry, .247 career Greg Walker will be teaching Pastornicky hitting. Maybe Jack Wilson SHOULD be talkling hitting with him after all….
BravesFanSince80's
January 26th, 2012
11:37 am
Dawgdad, right on man…nobody should be complaining about the Prince of fatness signing, that will wash out as one of the dumbest contracts ever, Detroit will be regretting that move within three years let alone nine! flip-side is we should be happy he’s not a G-nat:) the rookie shortstop is at best an unknown quantitiy right now, but he can hit, he’s proven that thus far, seems adequate at SS for now, though his dad being a 3B doesn’t bode well for his staying there for any length of time (genetics?). Hopefully after the Dodgers get ironed out, some groups will come out of the woodworks making offers for our Braves. A competitive season (doubtful on the contending part, just too many ifs and buts) should help the speed of acquiring new owners. My biggest fear is that we see a pretty similar offensive year and that might scare away potential new owners thinking it will be too much of a house-clearing endevour once they take over…
charles
January 26th, 2012
12:08 pm
Good afternoon everyone. First of all I would like to apolize to DOB for thinking that he ran Capital Avenue. I talked to Honey Bee last night and she is O.K with it. She just doesnt know what she did.I really cant comment on what boyfriend said
Braves With Many ? Marks
January 26th, 2012
12:14 pm
Fat or skinny, Prince Fielder was # 4 in MVP voting last year. Babe Ruth was fat and could hit too.
DawgDad
January 26th, 2012
1:24 pm
Just to show I’m not all negativity, here are the apparent keys for the Braves to make the playoffs:
1. Top-end starting pitching stays healthy. This means Hudson, Hanson, and JJ, because talented though they may be the rest of the pack is not going to carry the Braves to the playoffs in 2012.
2. Pasternicky-Wilson play solid above-average defense and hit Hinske’s weight or better. You just can’t win without a reliable defensive shortstop unless you overwhelm teams offensively like the Brewers did (and that is VERY rare in MLB history).
3. Uggla hits .265 or better consistently throughout the year and terrorizes left handers. If he doesn’t, the Braves aren’t going anywhere regardless of what anybody else does, because any left hander with a pulse and three or more fingers will mow them down.
4. McCann is healthy and the McCann/Ross tandem provides the expected offense. It’s a huge benefit when these guys are firing on all cylinders, but it’s a huge risk when your best hitter is your everyday catcher and he can’t play other positions.
5. Heyward re-emerges, at least in terms of OBP, and Freeman avoids sophomore slump. Left to me, I’d bat Heyward lead-off and hit Bourn second until Heyward proves (1) he can’t get on base enough, or (2) he’s matured into the power hitter we expect. This would eliminate perhaps 30-35 double plays and let Heyward relax and do his thing in terms of pitch-selection. If he hits it gets him plate appearances and avoids his left-handed bat imbalancing the lineup farther down.
6. Chipper starts and finishes 80% of the games, playing at least as well as he did last year.
7. Bourn avoids catastrophe. Who replaces him? Young? Heyward? The only reason this isn’t higher up the list is Ankiel or McLouth will likely be available for the taking if needed.
8. A viable right-hand hitting fourth outfielder emerges (Diaz?). Why is this so difficult?
You lie
January 26th, 2012
1:46 pm
Weird. Tim Tucker asked questions and got answers. Huh. Well who cares? Anyone eaten any good over priced burgers anywhere weird enough and far enough off the beaten path to make me sound intelligent and different?
charles
January 26th, 2012
1:46 pm
Thats a great list Dawg Dad. Only problem is none of them will happen.
BravesFanSince80's
January 26th, 2012
1:51 pm
Dawgdad, the only flaw I see in any of that (I agree with it all save this) is hitting Heyward in the leadoff spot. I know why you’re saying they should do it and I agree with why you think it’s a good idea, but it would probably put him at a greater risk for injury because of his expectations to move over bases during at-bats will be higher at leadoff. I don’t think all the pro-Heyward bloggers (I like Heyward’s up-side by the way, it’s some intangibles, etc. that bother me) are aware that he has yet to play a full season in professional baseball without missing time due to injuries, which is disturbing at his age, which I think was in large part the motivation for the comments during the season made by Chipper. He’s just big enough of a person not to come right out and say that. Heyward should hit most of the year in the 7th spot to try and take a little pressure off of him and get him loosened up because if he develops you eventually want him hitting 3rd or 5th…
Stinger2
January 26th, 2012
2:36 pm
Now McQuirk say the payrool can be 94 million. I don`t know enough do do all the math about how much is already tied up. However, it seem that the Braves may have (or had enough $$$) to do something to get a power hitting outfielder. Maybe it not too late. But they really need to do something (have done nothing so far) to improve the
lineup. Getting rid of Gonzalez for Pastornicky is a risk.
I hope it works out for the better.
BravesFanSince80's
January 26th, 2012
2:39 pm
payrool? I don’t know enough do do…? -Stinger2
LMAO!
charles
January 26th, 2012
3:09 pm
If McQuirk wants to win, it doesnt matter how much money he spends. First thing he does is fire Wren. Then he fires Gonzales.As for players he keeps Hudson, Freeman,and Bourne. The rest of the deadbeats he releases. Just start over.
BravesFanSince80's
January 26th, 2012
3:17 pm
@Charles, I can’t believe after that statement, anybody here has EVER called me negative. I agree that FW and FG need to go, but I would keep several more players as well as the measly three you did. I agree any “dead weight” we can realistically cut ties with (Diaz, etc.) should be done post haste, but there are several good ballplayers on this team. Ross is probably the best back-up catcher in the game, absolutely NO reason to get rid of him. Pastornicky needs a chance to prove himself before we lump him in the likes of Ugly Dan or the Sey-It-Aint-So Kid…
cvan32802
January 26th, 2012
3:24 pm
I liked the tone of the interview and his work ethic and certainly hope that Tyler’s fielding stats in the minors for 2011 were due to his injury. Otherwise, Wilson will be the SS at the end of spring training. Pretty discouraging about the TV deals affecting future payrolls by favoring those teams that can secure such deals. Just another excuse for future mediocrity.
BravesFanSince80's
January 26th, 2012
3:28 pm
not really sure why the team would have committed to a 25 yr tv deal anyway? given how quickly market values can change?
Skeezix
January 26th, 2012
3:42 pm
Well, I can see the mood hasn’t lifted much on this blog over the last 24 hours.
Swede
January 26th, 2012
3:57 pm
You are sooo right, Skeezix…
Bob
January 26th, 2012
4:09 pm
You guys talking racist and all that crap have issues. Let’s forget color and talk baseball. As for the comment on Heyward being lazy and not working hard I guess a man is entitled to his opinion, I just know he seemed to be injured a lot last year. Stories like this one on Pastornicky make me look even more forward to baseball seaon and pulling for the Braves. It would seem it maybe too soon to call him up to the majors from what he’s done at the lower level but it’s up to him to prove he’s ready. Hopefully he’ll give a good run and at least make it through Spring training. One step at a time I guess.
DawgDad
January 26th, 2012
4:10 pm
“Heyward should hit most of the year in the 7th spot to try and take a little pressure off of him ”
Keep in mind Cox got a lot out of the kid in the #2 hole – he was on the threshhold of being an all-star as a rookie primarily on the basis of him just getting on base. The way the Braves are currently constructed they HAVE to find a way to get some meaningful offensive production out of Heyward, regardless of where he bats. I really like the kid’s ability; he’s a five-tool player if he can get it cranked up and stay in the lineup, and by the all-star break he could emerge as the best player on the team. If he hits he’ll own this town.
charles
January 26th, 2012
4:23 pm
If he hits Ha Ha. The only thing that he is going to do is run his mouth.
mpimentel
January 26th, 2012
4:25 pm
hey DOB what do you think about a nickname for our ss pastornicky…..what about PASTKY…I kinda like it…
DOB the brave’s CEO said that they have some room in th payroll for the upcoming season…have you heard any rumors?
TB
January 26th, 2012
4:26 pm
As a fan, I know how frustrating it is when one of our players doesn’t do well like Heyward. But he & Freeman & Tyler aren’t even the same age as Chipper when he got the call & he’s almost guaranteed to be a first vote HOFer. Give them time. McCann worked out very well, while Francoer did not. We’ll know after this season if they should pull the plug on Heyward. I hope he proves to be very successful. I also hope Terry McGuirk lays to rest some of the fans bellyaching about not making a trade or getting a free agent. I am totally in agreement with him because Pujols, Prince, the Cuban kid & Yu Darvish aren’t anywhere near worth the amount of money these teams are throwing at them. And any team who gives a pitcher a contract for more than 3 years is out of it’s mind as the Braves have found out on several ocassions.
Ken Stallings
January 26th, 2012
4:31 pm
Pasternicky will hit eight of seventh. I think Heyward needs to move up in the lineup to hit second. He has the speed once on base to advance to third on a single a lot better than Prado.
My desired lineup would be:
1. Bourne
2. Heyward
3. Jones
4. McCann
5. Uggla
6. Freeman
7. Prado
8. Pasternicky
Pasternicky has speed also, but I think hitting second in his rookie season and having to play shortstop is asking a bit much from the kid.
mpimentel
January 26th, 2012
4:45 pm
what abou this line up…
1.- bourn (speed, I hope his OBP increse)
2.- prado (good contact hitter)
3.- freeman (sorry chip it’s time to move on and he have more power than you)
4.- uggla (a right hand power hitter)
5.- mccann (a left hand power hitter)
6.- chipper (gives mccann the protection he needs, and take out pressure of him)
7.- heyward ( we hope he rebound)
8.- PASTKY
from 1st to 5th you have a left-rigth-left-rigth-left order and the backside wont be unprotected because of the chipper’s presence…and when he get injured, the fron of the lineup won’t be affected…
charles
January 26th, 2012
4:45 pm
Other then Pastornicky this is the same team as last year. So what makes everyone so excited. Braves finish 4th.
mpimentel
January 26th, 2012
4:54 pm
ok I got news from the dominican winter league….
if mauro gomez from braves’s AAA is the 4th man in the lineup for the leading team in season’s final series…he is crunching the ball …and way better defensive player as I thought…constanza is playing injured…
I saw ronny paulino playing …that big guy have power for sure…he could be a power threat from the beanch and he is a right hand batter, he can be a lottery ticket but imagine if we win it?
Braves20
January 26th, 2012
4:55 pm
Decent lineups above. Imagine how it would look with a 29-year-old shortstop with a .290 career batting average. Oh wait, Frankie traded him away.
mpimentel
January 26th, 2012
4:58 pm
chrales get lost….I like how my team looks…and we won’t have the same corp…have you saw our bullpen …we have 3 young guns arms over there (arodys, randall, julio) , take a look’em one of theam could be the next pedro martinez…
charles
January 26th, 2012
5:12 pm
Bullpen doesnt score runs. No hitters. No runs. You lose. Wren trades some of his precious pitching for hitters then you got a chance. They didnt hit last year and it didnt get any better.
Ajt
January 26th, 2012
5:37 pm
Hey DOB, just curious if you have any thoughts as to why Terry M. came out with all this information now. You’ve always had to make an educated guess about the payroll, and it seems out of the Braves character to release the particulars of the TV deal. Is it possible he’s trying to somehow influence Liberty you think?
Martin Smith
January 26th, 2012
6:31 pm
Dave,
Thank you for your comparison of Braves player payroll and attendance since 1997. You omitted a very important dimension which is inversely correlated to attendance. The Braves have steadily increased the component prices of attending a game in Atlanta from year to year. The Braves organization realized much more revenue in 2011 on an attendance base of 2.3 million persons than
what they obtained in 2003 from a similar level of attendance. Braves games used to be affordable fro a family of 4 or 6 to attend. A middle class family only has so much discretionary income that they will devote to going to a baseball game. Increased ticket/food/gift shop/parking prices are reflected in lower overall attendance.
Chronic Tonic
January 26th, 2012
7:46 pm
What about “Little Nicky” ?
BravesFanSince80's
January 26th, 2012
8:54 pm
even if BOTH Prado and Heyward have good years this year, it makes WAY more sense to have Prado hitting second. if he is hitting, he’s a much better contact, hit behind the runner, situational hitter probably than Heyward will ever be. Heyward projects more realistically as a five spot hitter, if he develops his OBP and BA he could hit third eventually, but that’s a long-shot I think. You want Prado hitting second if the offense is firing, Bourn wants a healthy, hitting Martin Prado right behind him, if that happens, Bourn may have his “career year” this year. Hey I made a positive prediction! Everybody take note:)
DetroitBraves
January 26th, 2012
9:03 pm
@Cecil34, I read the article and it was somewhat depressing. For those familiar with Rob Neyer, he also read it and had a well-written, but also depressing spin on it at his site. Also, Keith Law mentioned today that the Braves will likely be in the top half of organization rankings for the last time this year due to some bad drafts of late. The bad drafts are directly related to refusing to go over slot. Their lofty ranking lately is mostly due to signing Latin American talent, a talent well that looks to dry up under the new CBA given their attitude towards MLB suggested amateur compensation. And all the while, this organization has not had a good track record for assessing talent on the ML open market (trying to get Orlando Cabrera to forego retirement? Really?). This must be what it was like to be a Royals fan for most of the last 20 years.
AussieBrave
January 26th, 2012
9:03 pm
Totally agree with positive comments about Heyward. I hope he wins the batting title – will at least make for interesting reading on the blod when suddenly everyone was his biggest fan.
charles
January 26th, 2012
10:02 pm
@braves fan Since 80s I noticed the positive idea. What happened? I respect your opinion but sorry i disagree. Got to go work Talk to you tomorrow.
BravesFanSince80's
January 26th, 2012
10:24 pm
charles, you disagree that if Prado is hitting second behind Bourn and has a more typical Prado year, hits around .300 with a good OBP and looks like the professional, all star player he was two years ago, that would then enable Bourn to step his game up to a level he hasn’t before? more power to you I guess, if I were Bourn in that scenario, I’d be pretty happy…
longshot151
January 27th, 2012
3:05 am
ohhhhYEAH 7:11 pm Taylor Phillips ???
Brave New World
January 27th, 2012
8:36 am
Good luck Tyler! GO BRAVES!
TB
January 27th, 2012
10:00 am
I’d like to see this line-up
1. Bourne
2. Chipper
3. Freeman
4. McCann
5. Uggla
6. Prado
7. Heyward
8. Pasternicky
joe
January 27th, 2012
10:23 am
No Rob charles is a DUSH BAG.
wjones
January 27th, 2012
10:47 am
“charles
January 26th, 2012
4:45 pm
Other then Pastornicky this is the same team as last year. So what makes everyone so excited. Braves finish 4th.”
If this is the “same team”, as you say, why do they finish fourth? They finished 2nd last year, so wouldn’t they finish second again? Oh, I get it. You’re one of those negative idiots who gauges all of the players on “his team” by their worst years, and the players on the other teams by their best years. Must be miserable for you to wake up every day, if that attitude carries over to everything else in your life.
JoeBrave
January 27th, 2012
10:48 am
No! This kid is not ready.no Jj Oom Bop nor Hudson will be up to snuff!
Obee
January 27th, 2012
10:50 am
What in the world is a dush bag?
wjones
January 27th, 2012
11:00 am
“Obee
January 27th, 2012
10:50 am
What in the world is a dush bag?”
Looks we have a new entry to the “blog list of phrases”.
sportsmandh
January 27th, 2012
11:02 am
From what I’ve seen of Pastornicky, he has a very solid swing with a good approach at the plate. I think he will be a very solid doubles hitter.
charles
January 27th, 2012
11:21 am
Good morning guys. First of all@wjones. Everyone else improved in your divison and Braves did not.Also why settle for second, So here it is, Phillies, Marlins, Nationals, Braves, Mets.
charles
January 27th, 2012
11:27 am
@BravesFanSince80,s. I feel that Prado swings at first pitch too much. Bourne Chipper Mccann,Uggla,Freeman, Heyward, Prado, Pastor. I think that would be a good lineup.
wjones
January 27th, 2012
12:52 pm
Charles, same player does not mean same results. So take it one at a time:
McCann—You may think last year was a new level for him. I don’t think so; I think he came back too soon from his injury, so I see improvement there.
Freeman–This is a wild card. Pitchers have had a year to adjust to him. But also Freddie’s history is that it takes him about half a season to adjust to a new level, and he has already been here. So I’m content to say he will put similar numbers up, but better is a distinct possibility.
Uggla—do you think .235 is his new level? I don’t. Think he was pressing too hard early on, trying to take on too much late. I see definite likelihood of improvement.
Pastornicky—let’s put it this way. If he can’t beat Gonzo’s .270 obp, then they will make a move. Definite likelihood of improvement.
Chipper–another year older, not as much riding on this year, didn’t have to work as hard in the off-season. I don’t see the ridiculous statements about him falling apart, as he was an all-star last year. But I would bet on his production falling, and see him playing somewhere between 120-125 games. It is what it is, guys. Not many 40-year old third basemen in the history of baseball.
Prado–Last year was a low-water mark in his career. Did the league catch up, or did his staph infection wipe him out, and did he also come back too early? I think he comes back full strength, with a year of experience in left field, his hard work ethic and versatility, and definitely improves on last year’s numbers.
Bourn–who in their right mind doesn’t think that Bourn in Center Field won’t be better than the Nate/Shafer/Bourn combo last year? Surest bet so far.
Heyward–OK, some of you are totally convinced that Heyward is worthless because he got hurt and had a bad year. Writing him off at age 22. Come on! No sense of history at all? Willie McCovey came up and won Rookie of the Year at age 21. Next year, he hit .238. They didn’t even need him, already had Cepeda. He followed that up with three more solid years, then at age 26 hit .220. Two years later they traded Cepeda, and Willie went on to become a Hall of Famer. Don’t know about you, but I’d take Willie’s career for Heyward. Pretty much same body type, injury issues. I’m betting on a rebound this year.
So that’s a good chance of improvement from at least 4, possibly up to 7 positions. So if we just similar production from the bench and the pitching staff we will improve. For the starting pitching to improve, Hudson, Hanson, and Jurrjens will need to pitch at the same level, and hopefully more, so we honestly will need to watch their progress as to health, but there was not concern with their performance last year as much as their health. Then Beachy and Minor will have to pitch more with similar numbers, which would make us better because their rate numbers were infinitely better than Lowe’s. As for the bullpen, it is very likely that at least one of our “big three” will see a drop in performance, or get sidelined. It would be hard to improve on those numbers for any of them. But what will likely help them, and the team, is the return of Medlen, who is the Martin of the pitching staff. He can come in and give your 2 or three innings if your starter gets knocked out. He can come in and get out of a jam in the 5th or 6th, and because he is a good hitter, can be left in many times. He can be a 7th or 8th inning guy, which gives one of our big 3 the night off. He can come in for extra inning games, and pitch a lot of innings, and not have to be pinch hit for. We missed him so much last year. Then you have Cristian Martinez, Anthony Barbaro, a “stitched-up” Peter Moylan later in the summer, and I’d take all of those over the older pitchers we gave so many innings to last year. And let’s face it, the law of averages tells us that we won’t have nearly as many extra inning games as last year, especially if our offense has the improvement that is likely.
So you may choose to take the worst possible view of things, but I don’t think that is at all logical.
charles
January 27th, 2012
1:15 pm
@Wjones. There you go again using injuries as an excuse, Every team had injuries but they adjusted. You also have a lot of ifs in there. Ifs dont win championships. Good luck with a manager that doesnt know how to manage and all the egos with no production.
wjones
January 27th, 2012
2:48 pm
“charles
January 27th, 2012
1:15 pm
@Wjones. There you go again using injuries as an excuse, Every team had injuries but they adjusted. You also have a lot of ifs in there. Ifs dont win championships. Good luck with a manager that doesnt know how to manage and all the egos with no production.”
Hate to break it to you, but injuries happen, and they affect performance. So you basically think that Howard’s injury won’t affect the Phils? You seem to be taking the Braves performance personally for some reason, as if they intentionally played poorly just to piss you off, and can’t accept the fact that performances vary from season to season, based on many factors, injury being a big factor.
charles
January 27th, 2012
3:01 pm
@wjones Good luck with your losers that might not have egos. No Howard injury will not hurt them because they have talent to replace him. Thats what Im talking about.Braves have no talent when these guys supposedly have injuries just because they are having a bad year and it hurts their egos.They did not piss me off. I am just tired of them running their mouths and not backing it up. If you want to listen to their mouths more power to you. I want to see some production.
wjones
January 27th, 2012
3:22 pm
Charles, I’m struggling with how to respond to you, because I’m not sure if you’re serious or not. If not, you’re in the midst of playing a trick on me, and I’m falling for it. If you’re REALLY SERIOUS, then I’m not sure a rational discussion can take place.
McCann, at the time of his injury, was one of the front-runners for MVP, and the Braves were on a good roll, IIRC the second best record in the league at the time. Yes, Prado wasn’t having his usual good numbers when he came down with the staph infection, but I don’t know how you can reasonably fake a hole in your leg. That would leave Heyward and Chipper. As for Chipper, I can’t think of a 40-year-old third baseman who played at an all-star clip in history, and there certainly hasn’t been one who has been able to play 150 games a year. Unless MLB decides to let players go back on steroids, you won’t see it, either. So I choose to believe that Chipper gets injured from time to time. As for Heyward, I figure this is the thrust of your argument/dismay/annoyance, etc. Heyward is young, has been hurt a lot, and you don’t believe he has injuries, believe it is an ego problem or whatever. Can’t help you there. All I can say, and maybe this is as close as I will ever come to agreeing with you, is that Heyward is going to have to overcome the nagging injuries that have bugged him, like they have many others through the years, or else learn to compensate, in order to keep himself in the lineup consistently. I don’t think the injuries are fake, but I do know that players have to balance between playing with pain and getting injuries taken care of. Either extreme will adversely affect their careers.
But I guess, taking your posts in, I just don’t see the world as simply as you do. But, thanks for the good luck wishes. I hope the Braves do well, and I do choose to look at the possibilities for success as opposed to always looking at what can possibly go wrong.
charles
January 27th, 2012
3:59 pm
@wjones Man I am not trying to trick you, but what I am telling you that this is a very good Braves team. I am tired of excuse after excuse for their downfall. They start running their mouths of how good they are.PROVE IT. When I dont know. I love our braves just like you do. I want them to stop using excuses and show us. As far as Heyward is concerned, I have met him thru a mutual friend.He is a great kid but doesnt show his talent on the field because he is too cocky. I wish all the braves luckbut i am tired of listening to mouths and getting no production.
BravesFanSince80's
January 27th, 2012
4:36 pm
no way Charles, if Prado hits, he stays in the 2 hole. You don’t WANT a 40 yr old anything hitting second if it can be avoided.
Bourn
Prado
Freeman
Uggla
McCann
Chipper
Heyward
Pastornicky
Pitcher
BravesFanSince80's
January 27th, 2012
4:37 pm
I have Freeman hitting third IF he can handle it all year, that would help take a little pressure off McCann so that hopefully he won’t fade out at the end as bad…
charles
January 27th, 2012
4:45 pm
@BravesFanSince80s I can go along with your theory and your lineup but if it dont work maybe try Pastor in that spot.
wjones
January 27th, 2012
5:46 pm
Whoever was tweeting about Pierre getting an offer from the Braves, you can forget it; the Phillies just signed him.
wjones
January 27th, 2012
5:51 pm
Charles, if Heyward is indeed this cocky, maybe last year was a good experience for him, even if it hurt the Braves. Nothing like a reality check. I think part of Frenchy’s comeback last year was part ‘comeuppance”. Can’t really understand cockiness now, unless you are a Yankee or Phillie. Back when we were winning divisions every year, maybe, but gotta walk before you talk.
I do like what I’m hearing from Jack Wilson. I know he’s seen better days on the field, but maybe will help with Pastornicky, getting his head right, and being a good influence. He also is a good bat handler, and we need a couple guys like that. Not a whole team of them, mind you, but some folks who know how to do the fundemental things when they need to be done.
charles
January 27th, 2012
11:03 pm
@wjones Sorry it took so long to get backto you, but I double dated with my friend Honey Bee and her boyfriend(a brave). I do agree with what you are saying about Heyward, but i dont think it is going to change. I hope I am wrong.
charles
January 27th, 2012
11:06 pm
@BravesFasnSince80s I dont really know who to put in that two hole,but Prado is not the answer.
..An inmate at a correctional facility
January 28th, 2012
2:25 pm
Pastornicky’s career will be no better than Pete Orr. Braves management is selling Braves fans a sale of goods when it comes to this kid.
Same thing with Heyward. After April-May of 2010….what has Heyward really done…with the exception of play a terrible right field (dude cant properly go back on balls to save his life), roll grounder after grounder to second base (MLB pitchers figured out that you can get Heyward out by busting fastball after fastball inside the plate) and stay hurt? Also, where’s all the stolen bases that were to come from him being a “5 tool player”?
Freddie Freeman…looks like the real deal. Dude’s defense is really good…plus he has shown an ability to make what is commonly called “adjustments” at the plate.
Gonzo timmons
January 29th, 2012
7:11 pm
Braves Gamble handing Starting Job to Tyler Pastornicky http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ycn-10899197
Forever Buzz » Braves gamble on rookie shortstop Tyler Pastornicky
January 30th, 2012
9:53 am
[...] leaguer will face any more pressure in spring training than Tyler Pastornicky. The Atlanta Braves are handing the untested rookie the starting job at shortstop on a team that missed the playoffs by only one game last [...]
TuxOnMadisonAve AFKA DogsBrekky
January 30th, 2012
5:29 pm
Like the PastorSnickers – I am ready to d0 this 3lbs of pork bellie, gut, head and feet… it’s a bewdiful thing
Hope y’all celebrated Australia day last week
TuxOnMadisonAve AFKA DogsBrekky
January 30th, 2012
5:32 pm
The Inmate – Heyward was in the top 3 rated players in mlb during the 1st month of 2011 (WAR), then he got injured…. check out the stats 7 hr multi rbi etc etc.. he actually lead hr at one point late in April
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11:36 am
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3:46 pm
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February 9th, 2012
9:41 pm
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8:27 am
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