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248 comments Add your comment
Disaffected Braves Fan
May 31st, 2012
8:53 am
It’s too early to relegate Venters to the minors. A couple of bad weeks doesn’t negate two years of exceptional work. He’s earned a chance to work through his problems, though it should be in lower leverage situations for the time being.
Jo
May 31st, 2012
8:54 am
Look how dumb sending Medlen down looks now. Who’s going to get the ball to Kimbrel? O’Vent is done. They both look awful
john
May 31st, 2012
8:58 am
I applaud the Wren and the Braves for making these moves (Medlen/Simmons) now instead of waiting. It was clear to me, that this team was flawed and would not be a playoff team as is. With the moves they still might not be a postseason team, but these moves at least will give them more of a chance. We’ll see.
No changes, patience and waiting on the existing group would have been the wrong move, as the Braves would have suffered a slow death, imo. Heyward is the next big decision. He has the athletic ability to be a star, but he’s still getting sawed off at the plate on inside pitches, and it doesn’t look like that hole has changed or will change. Where will J-Hey’s average sink to eventually?
bvillebaron
May 31st, 2012
9:01 am
I feel bad for Pastornicky, but some of his bad defense was also a result of bad decisions. Case in point is Sunday’s game against the Nats when the Braves had lost 6 straight and really needed a win. Beachy is nursing a 2-0 lead and after he walks the first batter in the 5th, the next guy hits a chopper over his head which Pastornicky fields a few feet in front of the second base bag. Instead of taking the sure out at first, the kids throws the ball behind his back from a very short distance to Uggla who obviously was not expecting it and drops it. The eventual result? 2 unearned runs in the innings.
RedFox
May 31st, 2012
9:03 am
Holy caps.
Hugo
May 31st, 2012
9:13 am
It looks like somebody is trying to win for a change. My only question is why not triple a first? I do think we are on our way to sending Chipper out a Champion………. If our pitching holds up.
Joshua Barlowe
May 31st, 2012
9:15 am
Good move to call up Simmons, but they sent down the wrong guy. Jack Wilson should’ve been cut if he wasn’t available to be optioned. He is worthless. I agree Pastor needs more work, but I honestly can see him being a future 2nd baseman for the club. He would be a much better utility infielder now than what Jack Wilson provides. Best of luck to Pastornicky.
Ted
May 31st, 2012
9:18 am
Bring Simmons up is a good move, but they should have released Wilson and kept Pastornicky as the backup. Wilson is supposed to be there for defense, and he’s been just horrible. His error last night in the 8th nearly lost the game for us. He’s not even batting his weight. Release him and make room for the kids, who can bat for a higher average and play just as good defense.
Whiskey River
May 31st, 2012
9:18 am
I asked on another blog,but got no answer. I have been out of the loop for about 6 weeks because I was shot. Last game I saw was Arizona. Can anyone fill me in please?
alanfalcon
May 31st, 2012
9:19 am
Hope this doesn’t turn into a Wren blunder, Tyler contributed alot at a position they were short in and I’m sure the Braves feel like Simmons will enhance the position, I for one unfortunately think that Uggla felt uncomfortable with Tyler there and didn’t do the kid justice with not being ready enough to field the 2nd base position- Tyler gets penalized !
JoeyBagOBravos
May 31st, 2012
9:22 am
Right on Jo…. the BIG issue right now is PITCHING, THEN PITCHING, THEN PITCHING. Switching from the Rev to Simmons will help defensively, but that’s not the problem.
How is it possible that almost all of the pitchers that were here last year (except Kimbrel and Beachy) are struggling this year? It’s like watching bizzaro Braves every game. They have to score 8-10 runs to win a game!!!!
Whiskey River
May 31st, 2012
9:31 am
Well since noone wants to help. I am out of here. Thanks for nothing.
Steve
May 31st, 2012
9:34 am
Tyler will invoke the Jared Saltalamachia rule. He’ll be traded to an AL team, make it back to the majors by the end of the year, and start putting up All Star numbers by this time next season.
BravesFanInVirginiaBeach
May 31st, 2012
9:34 am
Andrelton Simmons will wear # 19 for those who were curious.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
9:35 am
I have been saying for a while now that the future for Pastornicky is not at SS. Anybody athletic enough to play SS can learn to play just about every other position. I believe he can be converted to play CF when Bourn leaves as a FA.
Disaffected Braves Fan
May 31st, 2012
9:35 am
Whiskey River,
We were really good for a while, then we were really awful for about 10 days, and now hopefully we’re good again.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
9:36 am
Yo Willie Nelson, maybe you should wait more then 13 minutes before bailing.
jt
May 31st, 2012
9:42 am
Oh Great, now we have another “Trainee” this outfit is STUPID from the Top Down. Jack Wilson should be sent to -A Ball is there is one. Give the Pastornicky kid a chance. What next another A ball pitcher? Oh wait that is what they want to do, bring Gearin or whatever his name is, up to replace Minor. GOOD GRIEF WREN!!!! Get a real job you may know how to do, you certainly don’t know much about Baseball.
jt
May 31st, 2012
9:46 am
I about gulped my beer can last night when Wilson muffed that EASY roller in the 8th inning. Looked like Dan Uggla there for a moment. And we got him in there for Defense?????
DawgDad
May 31st, 2012
9:47 am
If Simmons is as good defensively as advertised he’ll be a real plus. Pastornicky not making plays was running up pitch counts if not ERA’s, and any nice web-gem is a real morale-boost. I watched Ozzie Smith for more than a decade in St. Louis, and saw plenty of Dunston with his rocket arm. Will be interesting to see what this kid can do.
Uggla is making a better contribution offensively this year, but his range-rating has to be in the tank, too. It just didn’t make sense to bring him in behind an extremely young rotation when we already had an all-star and plus-defensive player at second. Pastornicky and Uggla together was just sad.
Whiskey River
May 31st, 2012
9:48 am
@Disaffected Braves Fan When we were at Arizona, we were on a good roll. What happened that we got so bad? It is really tough to be out of the loop for 6 weeks. Tell me all please.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
9:50 am
Dunsten did have a great arm. And I remember that great arm would often throw the ball 37 rows into the stands early in his career.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
9:56 am
Whiskey,
1) Chipper got hit in leg on a batted ball in St Petersburg and is on DL
2) Freeman got dry eye in Colorado and could not see for 2 weeks until special glasses were made
3) McCann had the flu and missed a week
4) Those 3 guys out of the lineup caused offensive output to swoon exposing season long pitching issues hidden by top scoring offense in NL
Cann22
May 31st, 2012
9:56 am
Veer—–”In justice. His defense wasnt that bad. Uggla messed him up at times and Paster got the blame. Total Injustice”
Your kidding right? You must not watch a lot of baseball. He is a “Major League” SS if that’s what you want to call him. You have to make the routine plays and you have to know how to play the position at that level. He couldn’t do either of those and not to mention everything he did was max effort. Nothing was ever smooth. I have seen High School SS better than him. By the way, Uggla never messed him up, he needs to know what to do playing at this level.
Wes
May 31st, 2012
9:59 am
Elvis Andrus would have looked nice at SS, but I digress…….
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
9:59 am
Oh and according to MANswers, the best place on your body to get shot and have highest chance of survival is the arm.
Whiskey River
May 31st, 2012
10:00 am
Thank you Heisenberg. Im still on DL myself so I might be a little slow responding.
Whiskey River
May 31st, 2012
10:02 am
I wasnt shot in arm.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
10:03 am
Let it go Wes, ya gotta let it go. We cannot change the past…we can only repeat it.
bravesgrl4life
May 31st, 2012
10:04 am
I think with a little more “seasoning”, Pastornicky is going to be a good player. But the Braves are trying to win the Division and the Series this year. You can’t do that without a decent to above-average defense at shortstop.
And lay off Uggla’s defense. He’s not that bad and more times than not gets the job done. Plus, his hustle in absolutely offensive situation is fabulous. Dan is a short-legged, heavy-torso kind of guy, so that kind of heart and hustle is very impressive.
crackbaby
May 31st, 2012
10:12 am
Good move by Wren and Freddie. You could tell that Tyler made Uggla uncomfortable in the middle infield. We could use a modern day Ozzie Smith at short – hopefully Simmons can hit better than the young Oz.
Uggla needs a solid SS. Dan’ play will improve when he knows the guy playing the 6 position will make all the plays.
J Miller
May 31st, 2012
10:14 am
I thought Wilson would’ve been gone before Tyler. He was awful in last night’s game & I haven’t really seen much of an overall contribution from him. But I am happy to see Constanza back in ATL!
Jack Dennis TN
May 31st, 2012
10:18 am
Blame it on Wren sitting on his azz last winter. Plain & simple.
Felix Millan
May 31st, 2012
10:18 am
So, .248 and poor defense is worse than .233 and poor defense? When Chipper comes off the D/L, does the .233 hitting Heyward go down? I doubt it.If I’m not mistaken. Simmons’ arb clock doesn’t start until next year, right. Timing is everything
Whiskey River
May 31st, 2012
10:25 am
I was looking at roster. Where did we get Durbin and Francisco and why?
zipperdo
May 31st, 2012
10:28 am
Enter your comments here
phoenix
May 31st, 2012
10:32 am
Jason Heyward, the “great” right fielder: so far in his career, he has 11 assists, 13 errors.
Jeff Francoeur has 102 assists. 34 errors.
Please wake me up the next time he A) makes a good throw to nail a runner at any base, or B) at least hits the cut-off man. Hopefully he’s now paying attention since Bryce Harper exposed him last week.
jerry
May 31st, 2012
10:34 am
With Simmons a defensive whiz, what the hell do they want with Jack Wilson? It seems like the Braves always want someone who can’t hit a lick, e.g., Belliard, Wilson, Greg Norton, et al.
JeanE
May 31st, 2012
10:38 am
I am sorry but Tyler but it needed to be done. When everyone is holding their breath everytime the ball goes to she SS, it’s not a good situation. They are not going to release Jack W, that’s crazy. He’s been exactly what he’s supposed to be but I know he and Tyler worked closely together so I’m sure it’s hard for him, too. Once David R is better, I’m sure JC will be sent back down and another arm for the bullpen called up, Gearrin? I wouldn’t be surprised if TP was traded either, for a chance to be the starting SS somewhere else. Great win last night, worried about Jonny and EOF. Go Braves, enjoy your much deserved off day.
Braves Fan
May 31st, 2012
10:43 am
I think the kid played well. Yeah, defense was a little suspect but he provided a decent bat for a rookie. I think he’ll be a major league starter somewhere in the future. I think the franchise is just much higher on Simmons so any glitch TP’s game was going to hurt him. If Simmons works out and the Braves stay in the race, look for TP to be a part of a deal that lands us a solid #2 or #3 veteran starting pitcher.
invictus mon
May 31st, 2012
10:56 am
I don’t know about you guys, but I never expected Pastornicky’s callup to be for the whole season. I thought it was a foregone conclusion that at least for a part of the season Tyler was going to be sent down to get some work. I’ve gotta say, Simmons looked GREAT in spring training. When the Braves showed up for spring training, the job was Tyler’s and Simmons was a non roster invitee who was fortunate to get to work out with big leaguers. The fact that there was serious discussion about a competition for the SS job tells me this guy is the real deal. He might have a bat more worthless than Wilson’s at the moment, but that’ll come around. Maybe the Braves have a different future at SS than they envisioned the last 3 years. And to fill 3B (which we can’t do with our existing staff), TRADE BATE! Get them both proven on the big league level, then see who commands the highest price and SHOP HIM! 1 of the two won’t be here in 2 years.
20 out
May 31st, 2012
10:58 am
Having no PAs in Triple A is pointless. Guys jump from AA to the majors all the time.
Brave New World
May 31st, 2012
10:58 am
Simmons is clearly the better shortstop defensively. Pastornicky seems like he could be a good offensive player, but his OBP indicates that he has a bit to learn. Wonder if Pastornicky could be converted to the outfield (he does have speed)?
Brave New World
May 31st, 2012
11:02 am
phoenix May 31st, 2012 10:32 am Please wake me up
Probably better to let you sleep.
Flo-Rio-Duh
May 31st, 2012
11:03 am
With the Brave’s starting pitchers struggling they couldn’t afford errors. It’s that simple. The Braves need to find a couple of starting pitchers if they want to win their division. The offense is decent and the defense will b improved with Simmons. Find some pitchers.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
11:04 am
Groin (& hammy) pulls are tricky and need time to heal. Just ask Matt Kemp. Ross should be on DL to make room for bullpen help. Boscan can be sent back down when Ross is healthy.
Lemke's Knuckler
May 31st, 2012
11:06 am
Too bad Simmons won’t get too many chances to field a ball Friday night in his debut. Hope he doesn’t get whiplash watching all those long homers to left field. Minor better figure out a way to keep the ball in the yard or he’s going to be sent down to keep Pastornicky company.
JIm Tavegia
May 31st, 2012
11:09 am
Freddy has to blame somebody. The losing streak had to have been Pastornicky’ fault. The Sept. collapse was as well, but don’t tell any one. You see it was Freddy’s judgement that he WAS ready.
crackbaby
May 31st, 2012
11:14 am
This isn’t the end for Pastornicky. Although likeable, I don’t see him as an Allstar candidate in the near future. Braves are trying to win – If Simmons doesn’t work out, Tyler will be back.
Lemke's Knuckler
May 31st, 2012
11:15 am
A slick fielding shortstop is a pitcher’s best friend.
I hope Freddie tests out those glasses for catching a 98-mph heater from shortstop.
crackbaby
May 31st, 2012
11:16 am
LOL @Lemke…
Sitting in CF
May 31st, 2012
11:16 am
I said this yesterday before the trade. Rev just doesn’t seem to have good SS instincts. I think we will all be pleasantly surprised at how many more balls Simmons gets to. Maybe they should try him at 2nd. And what are you looking for in a utility infielder? What do the Braves need more-glove (ala Pac Man) or bat (ala Brooksie)? I think Pastornicky will be more of the latter somewhere down the road.
Lemke's Knuckler
May 31st, 2012
11:18 am
I’m excited about this. I love watching guys make impossible defensive plays.
The focus of the past 15 years has been on offensive production. Now that the league ERA’s are diving back down to pre-steroid era levels, I think you’ll start seeing the return on the defense-first shortstops like Ozzie Smith and Omar Vizquel, etc.
Tommy
May 31st, 2012
11:23 am
Good Morning everyone. Blog kinda slow today. Day off for team. I guess everyone else took day off.
Derek
May 31st, 2012
11:23 am
Well, it’s officially, we got nothing for Mark Teixeira (Stephen Marek (gone), Casey Kotchman (gone)) or Yunel Escobar (Alex Gonzalez (gone), Tyler Pastornicky (AAA for life), Tim Collins (gone)). Not to mention LAA drafted Trout with the supplemental pick they received when Teixeira left during free agency.
benchwarmer
May 31st, 2012
11:25 am
For Pastor it has been obvios that he has limited range and not the strongest arm. Going with it is his lack of feel for the position, seems to be out of position fairly often. I like the guy but probably should be a second baseman. Simmons has the feilding and even the great OZ wasn’t a real good hitter starting out. SS must be above average ideally. If you’re a great hitter then average will do.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
11:26 am
Lemke’s Knuckler, do not forget the return of the stolen base. And if you are truly looking for slick fielding no hit SS, bring back Mark Belanger.
don
May 31st, 2012
11:28 am
Good move. Simmons is no Elvis Andrus (some of you may remember Elvis) but he has good potential. It is not likely that the Braves can win consistently with Pastornicky at shortstop. Uggla at second is bad enough in the field. With Uggla and Pastornicky, the Braves had the worst combination in baseball.
crackbaby
May 31st, 2012
11:29 am
@Derek – OFF TOPIC!
This blog is chock full of rear view mirror critics like you.
benchwarmer
May 31st, 2012
11:29 am
About Minor, Watching the man it is easy to see that he has the quaility stuff. Control is the main problem I think. When he gets that he may be very very good.
David O'Brien
May 31st, 2012
11:30 am
Simmons is no Elvis Andrus (some of you may remember Elvis) but he has good potential. — don
He has a better arm than Andrus.
crackbaby
May 31st, 2012
11:33 am
@benchwarmer – Agree w/ the range comment. Tyler’s range to his right was poor and made worse by imprecise throws.
He also failed to cover the bag on steals and pickoffs. Too many mistakes for the show.
don
May 31st, 2012
11:35 am
Derek, don’t worry that the Braves got nothing for “Big Tex”. Just look at what the Bravesw did for Texas when the boneheads traded for Teixeira in the first place. Andrus may well be the best all around shortstop in all of baseball and, if not, he will be soon. Harrison is a solid lefthanded starter for texas- a team light years ahead of the Braves. Feliz, though hurt, was ROY, an all-star, and has unlimited potential as a starter or as a closer. Saltalamacchia has matured into a fine all around catcher for Boston- another team somewhat ahead of the Braves. And, the fifth guy stolen by the Rangers from the Braves, Beau James, is pitching well as a reliever in the high minors and should be promoted soon.
And, keep in mind, all of these guys are still young.
So, Derek, the Teixeira first trade was a goldmine- for the Rangers.
Biff Loman
May 31st, 2012
11:37 am
having a competent SS behind them will help the braves pitchers quite a bit
braves pitchers lead the league in walks, some of which may be due to not being confident in the defense behind them
simmons will save pitches, hits, extra bases, and runs, greatly benefiting the pitchers
kdawg1017
May 31st, 2012
11:47 am
hello people!!!! they are not going to keep both 22 year old shortstops so one doesnt play they both need work simmons needs major league work and pastor needs more defensive work so send pastor down and get work
kdawg1017
May 31st, 2012
11:47 am
hello people!!!! they are not going to keep both 22 year old shortstops so one doesnt play they both need work simmons needs major league work and pastor needs more defensive work so send pastor down and get work
don
May 31st, 2012
11:52 am
“He has a better arm than Andrus”? Mr. O’Brien, is that the best you can do? Yunel Escobar (the ill-fated choice of the Braves over Andrus) probably has a better arm than Andrus but I doubt anyone would consider Escobar to be in the same class as Elvis.
I think I can
May 31st, 2012
11:54 am
Elvis Andrus Elvis Andrus Elvis Andrus Elvis Andrus Elvis Andrus I still am speechless that we traded him years ago with all those other Texas Braves – I mean Rangers.
Oh what a terrible TRADE!, I am still fuming!
jo killa
May 31st, 2012
12:02 pm
excited about simmons i still feel pastornicky can be a solid player though he just made some mental mistakes not down on the kid at all but very excited about simmons Go Braves!
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
12:06 pm
So Simmons has a better arm than Elvis Andrus and (hopefully) a better attitude than Yunel Escobar. All he needs is a better bat than Edgar Renteria 2006/2007. Well as Meatloaf famously once said “2 out of 3 aint bad”.
Bill
May 31st, 2012
12:08 pm
Its not a matter of Joe has a better arm than Jim. Joe is better than Ted. ITS A BUSINESS! You put up are you gone–thats the bottom line.
ps. unless you have a contract like Chipper, Uggla etc. Then you ride untll they can do something like they did with Lowe.
Go Braves..still moves needed. Oh, McDowell should be next.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
12:09 pm
I want you (to field and throw),
I need you (to play hard every day),
But the aint no way I can expect you to hit for now,
So don’t be sad,
’cause 2 out of 3 aint bad
jj
May 31st, 2012
12:12 pm
hope he can bunt.
Bog Mac
May 31st, 2012
12:16 pm
Ok pu$$ynicky was terrible And 248 is awful and only 1 sb are you kidding me ? This kid can field watch his spring highlights. Also anybody who thinks this is a sinking ship can go away .
jj
May 31st, 2012
12:22 pm
Rev will be back in ML before long..with another team is my guess. Like the Tigers who are now look for infield help.
jj
May 31st, 2012
12:22 pm
looking.
Largo
May 31st, 2012
12:26 pm
Don’t worry too much about Simmons hitting. Mark Belanger was one of the great Oriole SSs of the sixties and seventies. In eighteen years he hit in the 230s with a total of 20 home runs. But, he also had eight gold gloves.
Vance
May 31st, 2012
12:28 pm
Shouldn’t have traded Andrus and Escobar way back when—that way Simmons would have more time to develop—Braves always rush people to the big leagues, look what happened to Heyward and Minor. Both moved up too quickly. Wren and Freddi don’t have a clue.
Bog Mac
May 31st, 2012
12:29 pm
Mcann never played in aaa and was rushed looked what happened and freeman the same way he was 21
Tommy
May 31st, 2012
12:31 pm
@Heisenberg Just a word buddy. I saw your comments to Whisky River. I know him. Be careful what you say. HE IS A COP.
steve
May 31st, 2012
12:32 pm
I was hoping Pastornicky would get better as he seems like a great guy but he does not have the arm or range of a major league shortstop , should move to 2nd base , hoping Simmons turns into a decent enough hitter as he is exceptional defensively.
Bog Mac
May 31st, 2012
12:33 pm
Only players hurting us from the texeria trade are harrison and Andrus. We have kimbrel but don’t get me wrong I would take Feliz in that pen with kimbrel also . Salty was blocked . But if Simmons succeeds then doesn’t seem as bad
Ken Stallings
May 31st, 2012
12:34 pm
In this era of baseball, you don’t perform well with a shortstop in the mold of Rafael Belliard!
Pasternicky helped solidfy the Braves lineup and having at guy hitting in the eight hole who batted near .250 even after a slump. But, to watch the kid, he was hitting in key situations and putting a lot of RBI’s on the board despite hitting ahead of the pitcher. When one analyzes his offensive efforts, you have to factor in the pitcher behind him. He was pitched around so often, and yet with runners on base, Pasternicky knew he couldn’t just take borderline pitches and get a walk, especially with two outs early in the game.
The kid made some excellent swings on tough pitches and got RBI producing hits.
Pasternicky’s defense is a work in progress, but I don’t think a light hitting Rafael Belliard prototype is the answer. Now the Braves will have a seven-hitter lineup and we’re going to see runs going down.
jj
May 31st, 2012
12:36 pm
nationals=19 year old harper..the kid can rack..Vance is that to early?
Bog Mac
May 31st, 2012
12:39 pm
A ss with offense is only a bonus Ozzie smith never hit but could field . Simmons gets on base a lot with his walks wich will work in the 8 hole ken.
Braves Fan in N.Y,
May 31st, 2012
12:45 pm
I agree with Jo.
Wilson is brutal. He blew a double play and made a boot last night. And he is hitting .170. Fredi’s affection for Wilson reminds me of Cox’s man crush on Lockhart.
Hope this doesn’t affect Pastor in the head. He’s a good kid with lots of potential.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
12:48 pm
Tommy pal,
1. If Mr River was so offended, he can speak up for himself and I would offer apologies
2. If you were reading my comments, you will see I provided an answer to his inquiry
3. This is the USA not Syria. Citizens have rights and being a cop does not give one free will to exact revenge when one’s feelings are hurt. Although I doubt Mr River is the type of officer who would do that.
Rawdog
May 31st, 2012
1:05 pm
Pastornicky is a loser by birth, or by choice. He will figure that out as he rides the bus around the southeast to each minor league city. How many times have we heard, “oh so and so is great defensively, but can’t hit to save his life”? I’d rather have a shortstop that hits than one who dazzles with the glove. Our eighth spot hitter is an automatic out every time up. BTW hope Minor has his one-way plane ticket to Gwinnett from Washington cuz he will be on the same bus soon.
Tommy
May 31st, 2012
1:08 pm
Well said Heisenberg. My Bad. Sorry I mentioned.it.
Tommy
May 31st, 2012
1:11 pm
I would like to say this Heidenberg. You are right. He is a very nice guy. He was shot and almost died. I thought he might be a little hateful but maybe not. Sorry I mentioned it.
Powder Blue
May 31st, 2012
1:16 pm
This needed to happen. Heyward should be sent down, too.
Heisenberg
May 31st, 2012
1:21 pm
No problem Tommy. Best wishes to your friends recovery. A Braves winning streak would surely help.
James Toolin
May 31st, 2012
1:23 pm
All right Simmons! Give it a shoot at the Big Leagues! I’m jumping out of my skin to see amazing double plays and extreamly tough short stop plays that make opposing batters frustrated.
phoenix
May 31st, 2012
1:26 pm
May 31st, 2012
1:22 pm
For the past couple of years, some of the “baseball experts” and scouts within the Braves organization have been telling anyone who’ll listen that Pastornicky was the next great Braves SS….all while he was booting the ball consistently in the minors.
Are any of these “experts” held accountable for misfires like this?
GaryinBham
May 31st, 2012
1:33 pm
I think the moves are solid. Pastornicky is a good kid, he’ll be a decent player, and he still has an upside. You people need to quit using every exaggeration you know. The kid is not the worst ever, he’s not been as good as hoped, and isn’t doing the job, but good heavens look at some of the people the Braves have had through the years. I think it is a bad idea to keep them both up. Jack Wilson is a good guy, generally solid defensively and would probably hit better if he played regularly. I say be glad we have him. When he makes a mistake he rarely makes another. Experience is valuable. Tyler needs to be able to work out of the pressure cooker. If last year’s all star pitcher can do it, so can he. Hang in there, kid.
The best part of these moves is that they gave a jolt to the team. The young pitchers have to notch up a little, Freddie’s back, Mac is back, and like probably most of us thought, we were better than an eight game slide. Get Chipper going and the pitchers on course again, and we can compete.
Bob the Blogger
May 31st, 2012
1:37 pm
I can see Pastornicky being a solid infield utility guy who can pinch hit and pinch run. He could learn to play 2nd and 3rd and be a valuable major leaguer. But he needs to work hard at AAA to do it.
I saw Simmons in spring training for several games and he was absolutely as advertised defensively. On offense, he hit well at times, and looked very much overmatched at times. My concern is that two months of AA ball is not enough, but as many have pointed out before, Furcal made the jump from single A. Let’s just pull for Simmons and see what he can do.
bfred
May 31st, 2012
1:49 pm
Pastor is getting the AAA spot because there he will get reps and personal coaching attention. Putting him on the bench on the big league club will do nothing to improve his situation, so if I were him I’d view this move as a long-term vote of confidence.
Tommy
May 31st, 2012
1:55 pm
Im going to sign off for a little while. Got to go see my buddy AJ(Whiskey River). Back later. Thanks everyone. GoBraves!!!!
bigcalidawg
May 31st, 2012
2:17 pm
Simmons fields like Ozzie Smith and throws like Shawon Dunston.
I can’t wait till we call up Dorado,too. That kid is greased lightenin’
Moeman
May 31st, 2012
2:20 pm
Bog Mac
“Ozzie smith never hit” WOW you should do research before making such uneducated statements.