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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,420 comments Add your comment
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
June 1st, 2012
12:43 am
We lead the league in walks given up.
uga-brave
June 1st, 2012
12:47 am
hard to get it right every season when you are payroll challenged.
certain seasons you hit, certain seasons your starters roll, certain seasons your bullpen excells.
hard to make it work with challenges a 75 million payroll on the field.
even harder, when some of the guy you depended on flopped,
pretty sure smilin expected both jjj, and hanson to step up and be a two and a three.
uga-brave
June 1st, 2012
12:53 am
chat, we are still in this and venter’s my guy has blown.
his tilt aint the same.
i knew at some point the scouts would say lay off the the cutter because it goes down and in and aint a strike.
never knew the fastball might be so hittable.
uga-brave
June 1st, 2012
12:59 am
still believe in venters. i really do. just mechanics. kinda wish the braves might call up billy wags.
and ask wags what he thinks venters is doing wrong.
wags was venters biggest fan.
wags thought venters had the best stuff he had ever scene.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
June 1st, 2012
1:05 am
We have a really good lineup when in tact. Freeman has Chipper type potential with his bat. He’s a possible MVP one day.
I don’t know wha’s up with Venters, but he needs to get it together.
ChattTownBrian (CTB)
June 1st, 2012
1:08 am
Notice hitters are laying off a lot of Jonny’s sinkers they used to whiff at? Word has gotten out for sure. That and his slider is too wild. Fastball he’s elevating due to hitters patience on his 2 seamer.
uga-brave
June 1st, 2012
1:39 am
wow, salty. 10 dingers 10 doubles.
slugging .910.
be patient heyward haters sometimes it takes time.
not everyone is stanton.
uga-brave
June 1st, 2012
1:45 am
wren, got lucky with freeman.
the other two are almost cannon fodder.
DOB, said it in so many blogs. about how much he was suprised about starting rookies.
said no way in a row that they do that three years in a row. .
uga-brave
June 1st, 2012
1:49 am
dob, said it would be a suprise if they started a rookie in rigtht, first base, and shortsrop. three years in a row.
well they did it.
uga-brave
June 1st, 2012
2:06 am
last thing lay off heyward. tall guys always have holes in their swings.
the guy gets the strike zone. that is the hardest part. at least he understands what a strike is.
his upside is still way off the charts.
i would rather have him him .200 than diaz or georgie in right any day.
Waffle House or Bust
June 1st, 2012
2:30 am
Does anyone not remember last year Fredi put Constanza in to get a spark going? It did then Fredi went away from what was working like a moron. The blog was furious. He will do it again. He can’t seem to stick with what is working. Trust me. It’s going to happen again and you guys will be begging for his head once again.
Waffle House or Bust
June 1st, 2012
2:30 am
uga-brave – Are you taking Wards place tonight?
Couch Tater
June 1st, 2012
4:09 am
Tater, sorry, I just hadn’t been on the blog in over a few weeks. Sounded like rambling, I’m sure.
Oh, not at all, Efrim.
Just sounded like the shock of a man who just got married. You’ll be back to normal once you pick up your damn cleats, Braves jersey, the dashboard hula girl, Baseball America’s 1998 baseball draft guide, Rick Reichhardt autographed photos, Coffee cup, Braves cap signed by Caroline Wozniaki, Hershey Bar wrappers and Frisbee off the living room floor.
Seriously, Congrats.
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
6:27 am
DOWN ON THE FARM
SALEM rocks the HILLCATS 6-2
Local product JACKIE BRADLEY Jr. went 4-5 in the leadoff slot for the RED SOX last night. He owns a future ML bat. So if GUS SCHLOSSER, and the HILLCATS reliefers expect to be playing ML ball in the future, they’re going to have to figure a way to get BRADLEY out rather than letting him get on. Last night wasn’t even a start. BRADLEY ruled the house.
RHSP GUS SCHLOSSER [L 6-3, 4.04 ERA] 5.0 IP, 5 H,1 HR, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO. No sir, not even close.
LHRP CHASEN SHREVE [2.02 BA] 2.0 IP, 1 H, zeros, 1 BB, 2 SO.
RHRP ANDY WILSON [2.89 ERA] 1.0 IP, perfection, 1 SO.
RHRP JUAN JAIME [4.05 ERA] 1.0 IP, 1 H, zeros, 3 SO.
Lead-off CF MYCAL JONES [.258 BA] 1-3, 1 R, 1 SO, 2 SB [4].
2B TOMMY LaSTELLA [.290 BA] 1-3, 1 BB, 2 SO.
DH ADAM MILLIGAN [.280 BA] 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR [2], 1 RBI [9], 1 SO.
3B ED SALCEDO [.254 BA] 1-4, 1 CS [6].
RF DAVE ROHM [.273 BA] 1-3, 1 BB, 2 SO.
Regular Season Links – 6/1/2012 - Goodsportsart Blog = Baseball news
June 1st, 2012
6:37 am
[...] Skid over, but now important work begins for Braves [...]
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
7:09 am
DOWN ON THE FARM
ROME
R-BRAVES win a 14 inning slug-fest [29 combined] 10-9 over the LEXINGTON LEGENDS last night. What is the LEXINGTON club ‘legendary’ for? Why, errors of course. Seven in one game will make you legendary, and lose you a game. R-BRAVES commit two trying to keep up, but fail miserably to keep up the error pace of the opposition. Some game if you love offense, disgusting defense, and free baseball.
RF WIL SKINNER [.281 BA] 4-6, 2 R, 1 2B [7], 1 RBI [17], 1 BB, 2 SO, 1 SB [4]. WIL has raised his BA from the moribund level to a very respectable average in a short three weeks.
1B ‘Billy BECK’ BECKWITH [.307 BA] 2-7, 2 R, 1 RBI [18], 2 SO.
LF ROBBY HEFFLINGER [.308 BA] 2-6, 2 R, 1 2B [3], 1 HR [1], 2 RBI [3], 1 BB, 1 SO. Placed in a position of responsibility [4-hole], Mr. HEFFLINGER responds with his best performance of the season.
2B SERGE MIRANDA [.213 BA] 2-6, 1 BB, 1 SO.
CF ABNER ABREU [.241 BA] 1-7, 1 2B [2], 2 RBI [2], GOLDEN SOMBRERO! Ole’
Lead-off SS ELMER REYES [.246 BA] 1-7, 1 BB, 1 SO, 1 SB [2].
3B KYLE KUBITZA [.244 BA] 1-6, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 SO.
DH BRANDON DRURY [.172 BA] 1-6, 1 2B [10], 1 SO, 1 CS [1], 1 Picked Off [3rd base].
C CORY BROWNSTEN [.156 BA] 0-2, 3 BB, 1 SB [1].
Whew! Offense, offense, offense.
RHS/RP RYAN WEBER [6.75 ERA] 5.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO. Ouch!
RHRP IAN MARSHALL [BS 3, 4.09 ERA] 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 4 SO. Despite the BS, our 40th rounder strikes out four of the five batters he faces. Grind it out IAN.
RHRP RYNE HARPER [BS 2, 4.50 ERA] 3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 HR, 2 R/ER, 1 BB, 5 SO.
RHRP JARRETT MILLER [W 2-0, 4.91 ERA] 4.0 IP, 2 H, zeros, 2 BB, 6 SO. An outstanding long-relief performance with the pitching staff’s collective backs against the wall. OUTSTANDING young man!!!!! This experience should convince you that you have a future in baseball.
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
7:33 am
Huge, I Mean HUGE “Statement Series” this Weekend…!
This Series needs to be Deemed “The Big Payback!”—James Brown
The Curly W’s Took us to the Woodshed Last Weekend. It was Brutal so I’m tasting a Big Payback for that assult last weekend….
Its Imperative that the Braves Improve their record against the teams inside the Dirty East for them to get into the Playoffs…
If I’m not mistaking? The Braves have stunk the joint up against teams in the The Dirty East since last years all star break…?
TheOnlyBravesFan
June 1st, 2012
7:38 am
Good morning all. From MLBTR:
Jair Jurrjens “is a guy that other clubs need to get back on,” says a scout who has seen Jurrjens pitch in Triple-A, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. The Braves dangled Jurrjens as trade bait during the offseason, though if he really was back on form, you would think Atlanta would want him to help its own struggling pitching rotation. Jurrjens has a 4.85 ERA and a 2.63 K/BB ratio in six minor league starts this season, pitching very well in four outings but getting rocked in two others.
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
7:43 am
Do or Die Time for Mike Minor…He is due for a good start…Especially against a Banged up Curly W’s Lineup…
Money Mike will Pitch 6 strong Innings tonight! You can take that Prediction to the Bank!
phil
June 1st, 2012
7:46 am
Oh yeah….Minor goes tonight.
Not likely to be pretty. Get Livan warmed up pre-game too.
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
7:59 am
Ok, here in 2 weeks we will be a 1/3 of the way through the season and still no progress with signing The Bourn Identity???
This one will hurt if we cant resign him especially with the Money coming off the books. Letting TEX go was a Kick in the Balls but letting Bourn Sellout would be a nail in the coffin for the fans who don’t go to games out of Protest of Cheap Ass Liberty Media
We need Bourn since the roid era is over and cheap 30 homer OF’s dont grow on tress like they did circa 2000
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
8:01 am
phil
“h yeah….Minor goes tonight.
Not likely to be pretty. Get Livan warmed up pre-game too.”
I’m seriously starting to hate losing to The Curly W’s…They have been Pests to us since 2005…And The Natty Ballpark has been a house of Horrors for the Braves since it opened….
ray k.
June 1st, 2012
8:04 am
Jo Jo Minor’s numbers over the past month are truly embarrassing.
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
8:06 am
Strasburg’s career numbers:
Against Atlanta: 1-2, 5.28 ERA
Against everyone else: 10-3, 2.27 ERA
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
8:29 am
@Brian From SC
Strasturd is like Johan The Great…
Dominates every other team in the NL but Struggles against Atlanta….
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
8:32 am
After giving up six or more runs if four straight starts, Minor has given up “just” four runs in each of his last two starts. That qualifies as improvement. But the Braves need much more.
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
8:33 am
Minor only got into the sixth inning in one start in the month of May. May June be a new start for him in 2012.
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
8:43 am
Is Minor just have a lot of trouble physically pitching out of the stretch? Or is it a mental thing? Check out these splits for 2012.
With the bases empty: .233 BA against, 40 strikeouts, 10 walks
With runners on base: .395 BA, 11 strikeouts, 11 walks (four intentional)
2 outs, RISP: .389, 2 strikeouts, 7 walks (four intentional)
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
8:54 am
Aroldis Chapman recently broke the all-time record for consecutive games pitched with no earned runs allowed and at least one strikeouts. His streak, which is current, is at 26 games. The previous record-holder was Craig Kimbrel, who had a streak of 24 starting in May 2010 and dipping into 2011.
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
9:00 am
Anybody else awake? I’ve been talking to myself for an hour.
Lew
June 1st, 2012
9:03 am
Yeah, I’m here – on one plane or another.
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
9:09 am
Brian From SC
I’m In Full Effect Mode, Coolin out to some Aerosmith at Work, Guzzling Coffee
What Do You think is the Braves Biggest Problem almost a 1/3rd a way through the 2012 Campaign
Same Question for D.O.B….
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
9:10 am
Aerosmith is one of my Favorite Rock Bands…They Rule!
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
9:11 am
No Love for Weezer, Henry Rollins Lenny Kravitz or Motorhead on here?
Fish Bisch
June 1st, 2012
9:12 am
Is it safe to come out today?
Jeff R
June 1st, 2012
9:13 am
Brian from SC, I’m waiting for Shaun to come on to tell me again how the obscure measurements prove that Heyward and Freeman are offensively comparable. I wonder if Wren shares Shaun’s opinion?
Jeff R
June 1st, 2012
9:16 am
Is Minor just have a lot of trouble physically pitching out of the stretch? Or is it a mental thing? Check out these splits for 2012.
Minor will likely be working that out at Gwinnett, huh?
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
9:16 am
All-time leaderboard for K/9 rate, with at least 100 innings pitched:
1. Craig Kimbrel*, 15.20
2. Kenley Jansen*, 14.95
3. David Robertson*, 12.23
4. Rob Dibble, 12.17
5. Ernesto Frieri*, 12.12
6. Brad Lidge*, 11.92
7. Billy Wagner, 11.92
8. John Rocker, 11.70
9. Carlos Marmol*, 11.68
10. John Axford*, 11.46
11. Sergio Santos*, 11.40
12. Jonathan Broxton*, 11.26
13. Stephen Strasburg*, 11.16
14. Francisco Rodriguez*, 11.08
15. Matt Mantei, 11.05
*Denotes active
Strasburg is the highest starter on the list. Next highest is Randy Johnson, 22nd with 10.61 K/9.
MDBravesFan
June 1st, 2012
9:18 am
What was the poem in 40s re Braves, Spahn and Sain and pray for rain? Well, looks like our prayers may be answered. Overcast now and heavy rain expected starting around 5pm. So we may not see Minor in this series except in long relief (heaven forbid), which would go a long way to helping us exact some revenge against the curly W’s. I have tkts for Sunday’s game though – really excited to see Simmons (and hopefully not Minor – although catching a HR ball for my little guy would be nice).
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
9:19 am
Oh Yeah! Happy 10 Year Anniversary D.O.B.
Nuff Respect!
Wasn’t it 10 years ago This June that you started covering the Braves?
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
9:19 am
I could be very general and say the biggest problem is pitching. I think defensive improvement will help with that, so I’ll say the biggest problem, more specifically, is too many walks. The only teams worse than the Braves in the NL in K/BB ratio are the Rockies, Cubs, and Padres. They are the owners of the three worst records in the NL.
CrαZy
June 1st, 2012
9:21 am
“First we’ll use Spahn, then we’ll use Sain,
Then an off day, followed by rain.
Back will come Spahn, followed by Sain,
And followed, we hope, by two days of rain.”.
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
9:22 am
Brian:
Good call on SIMMONS up, PASTORNICKY down.
Any ideas on positioning for the REV if or when he returns to ATLANTA? I think another year of AAA experience at the plate will benefit PASTORNICKY’s bat, but I’m not sure he’s cut out to be a SS long-term. Maybe CF.
SIMMONS will struggle mightily at the plate in ATLANTA for quite awhile off past experience. He usually takes time to adjust to the pitching going up a level a year. He’s skippimg a level and only had about 30% of a season in AA where he’s been solid, but hasn’t yet found his legs at the plate.
After a shakedown period with the glove however, I think he’ll bring much improved defense for the middle infield. Of course especially starting out, every error he makes will bring out the game-day mules braying lustilly here about his abilities.
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
9:23 am
Only 6 pitchers all-time with at least 100 IP have a K/9 rate of at least 10 and a BB/9 rate of less than 3:
Billy Wagner, 11.92, 2.99
Stephen Strasburg, 11.16, 2.16
Sergio Romo, 10.93, 2.01
Takashi Saito, 10.74, 2.84
Jonathan Papelbon, 10.66, 2.38
Pedro Martinez, 10.04, 2.42
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
9:25 am
richbrave, from what I’ve read, all along the scouting consensus was that Pastornicky’s ceiling was major league utility man. I don’t think he’ll get another shot at a full-time shortstop gig. Eventually, he’ll settle in as a Chris Woodward-type player. He’s got a chance to better than Chris, I believe, but he’ll fill that role.
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
9:25 am
Brian from SC
“I could be very general and say the biggest problem is pitching. I think defensive improvement will help with that, so I’ll say the biggest problem, more specifically, is too many walks”
That Post was On Point… Our Young Pitchers Get Burned by the Bases on Balls…Not to mention it really Burns the Ass when we Give up Grand Slams to Hitters with little or no power
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
9:27 am
CraZy:
Did you parley with our young stud? After a forgettable game night before last, he pummeled the rock last night. Thank goodness. Maybe he’s shaking off his malaise, and applying those principles at the plate the BRAVES have been teaching him. One can only hope.
CrαZy
June 1st, 2012
9:27 am
Rich
I’d like to see Gwinnett use him at 2B, SS and some OF. He seems like a athletic enough guy to become a Utility player. He could become an Omar Infante type player.
Lew
June 1st, 2012
9:28 am
THawkin – Yeah, I like Motorhead and their protegees, Girl School.
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
9:29 am
Crazy…the Infante comparision would be a more welcome one here. I hope he does get to that level as a player.
CrαZy
June 1st, 2012
9:30 am
The Heff just can’t seem to get out of A ball…
In your opinion how much longer does a player like Robbie get before the Braves move on?
Lew
June 1st, 2012
9:30 am
Braves biggest problem? Consistency and a very mediocre bench.
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
9:33 am
The Braves have given up too many home runs (1.0 HR/9). But if you take out Jurrjens, who is not on the roster, and Minor, who may not be much longer, the rest of the team has given up 0.81 HR/9, which is better than league average.
CrαZy
June 1st, 2012
9:34 am
a very mediocre bench.
Also not very flexible. It would be nice to have 1 or 2 players that could play multiple positions.
Like we had when Prado and Infante were both on the bench a few years ago.
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
9:36 am
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
9:25 am
Brian from SC
“I could be very general and say the biggest problem is pitching. I think defensive improvement will help with that, so I’ll say the biggest problem, more specifically, is too many walks”
“…….That Post was On Point… Our Young Pitchers Get Burned by the Bases on Balls…Not to mention it really Burns the Ass when we Give up Grand Slams to Hitters with little or no power…..”
OJT. That goes with the territory with a young staff. It’s like AA ball except it’s in ATLANTA. But the alternative is to employ hired guns like HAMELS, HALLIDAY, GONZALEZ, JACKSON and jack up the payroll significantly. We’re just experiencing growing pains with a young staff, and one vet trying mightily to wring the best out of the end of a great career with a seriously repaired back. It’s to be expected.
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
9:37 am
Lew
“Braves biggest problem? Consistency and a very mediocre bench.”
On Paper heading into the season I thought our Bench was an Asset and still think so
Matt Chernoff Said it best. Guys like SKE, Matty-D, Juan F. are Good in sample sizes off the bench. They are not every day players…
And we both know pinch hitting can go up and down year by year…A lot of luck is involved in pinch hitting
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
9:38 am
Hinske’s struggles have really made what was projected to be a good bench look mediocre. I still think a bench with usual production from Ski, Diaz, and Ross is an asset. They are vets with proven track records.
Disgusted
June 1st, 2012
9:39 am
Imgine if the Braves forgone Kawacomic and Salcedo and anted up the $$$$$$ to sign Aro;ldys Chapman??????
They could have had him for what, $30 or so million. Would have been a better investment in Int talent.
That Salcedo kid looks like another farm system bust, but he is not the first one.
BTW??? What could Heyward and Venterbumb bring in return if they were shopped around now???? I would put them out there to get feelers from other teams. ‘I’d throw in Minor too.
Other teams would prolly try to lowball, but its a thought just to see what is out there. Doubt either one of the three probable busts get moved.
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
9:39 am
CrαZy
“a very mediocre bench.
Also not very flexible. It would be nice to have 1 or 2 players that could play multiple positions.
Like we had when Prado and Infante were both on the bench a few years ago.”
Good Point…
Wren will be looking for another Utility guy at the trade deadline, Bank on It! Successful teams in the playoffs have good UT guys…
Is Mike Mordecai around? He was Money on that 1995 Braves Squad
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
9:39 am
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
9:29 am
“…..Crazy…the Infante comparision [HEFFLINGER] would be a more welcome one here. I hope he does get to that level as a player……”
Me too. I’m thinking PASTORNICKY might get back that way too if he masters a spot in the OF while in GWINNETT.
Lew
June 1st, 2012
9:43 am
THawkin – I don’t know about that. Diaz is only decent vs. LHP. Hinske has his hot streaks, but if you look at his record as a Brave, that effectiveness seems to end by the time July comes along – he’s drowned in ineffectiveness the second half of the past two seasons.
Francisco? I’m not convinced he’s as bad as everyone thinks he is. He’s not a plus defender, but isn’t terrible, either, has a very strong arm and has awesome power, though he’ll never be a high OBP Dude. At worst, if they needed to leave Martin in LF next year, I’d be comfortable with Juan as the L:H hitting part of a 3B platoon and MAYBE giving him a chance at full time. Not saying he’d be great, but might turn out better than most think he would.
Disgusted
June 1st, 2012
9:44 am
This one will hurt if we cant resign him especially with the Money coming off the books. Letting TEX go was a Kick in the Balls but letting Bourn Sellout would be a nail in the coffin for the fans who don’t go to games out of Protest of Cheap Ass Liberty Media
@Tomahawkin—If they do let Bourn walk I might be one of those that stop going to games all together except maybe one or two a yr. I cannot stay totally away.
There is $$$$$ comming off the books thif off season and there is ZERO excuse to muck on on Bourn.
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
9:47 am
CraZY:
Speaking of young studs. My grandson bombed a two-run shot in the top of the 13thagainst POTOMAC FALLS to carry POWHATAN to the REGION II finals this afternoon.
He hasn’t had the season at the plate he did last year, but a .614 BA, and .779 OBP as a lead-off hitter is a career year on any level. I told him he was on the map, the hitting around his wasn’t as good, and the play in a much tougher conference, combined with B-B core bats would take its toll, and it did. He still is on the pros radar however. I imagine last night helped.
MiaBchBravesFan
June 1st, 2012
9:50 am
I agree. There is very little to wow people out there in the FA market next winter. In the absence of a power bat playing LF next season, the next best thing is to focus on re-signing Bourn.
Just can’t avoid Boras clients forever. Of course, the Adam Jones’ contract will only amp up matters. Damn Liberty Media.
Lew
June 1st, 2012
9:50 am
Not quite as hard line as Disgusted, but agree that signing Bourn this winter should be the Braves’ big move. Prado could stay in LF and they could get a RH hitting 3b to platoon with Francsico. Then use what is left to lock up Prado, McCann (yeah, they shoudl) and fill out the bench with some talent.
I;m not at all conmfident that Heyward turns it around in any appreciable manner, but I still don’t see the Braves making a change there and I’d like to see something done to strengthen the pitching staff, though likely not a big move.
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
9:51 am
98
Disgusted
June 1st, 2012
9:52 am
I took a peak at Edward Salcedo’s stats and this BUMB has committed 98 errors in less than 3 seasons and is not even out of A ball.
Has some power numbers but also shows a low BA and OBP. He is not getting much better. And he is going on 21 in July.
Safe to say that he is not going to be hanging his uni at the Ted anytime soon if ever. He clealy cannot play in the field at all.
47 errors last season—47. How do U keep putting a clutz like that out there.
I hope he saved the 1.6 million bonus he signed for, cause the way he is going he will not earn his keeps in MLB.
The guy has to be a total clutz and then some.
MiaBchBravesFan
June 1st, 2012
9:52 am
Congrats, RichBrave!!! My buttons would be bursting too. A bomb in the 13th – pretty cool.
Only in sandlot ball for me.
Lew
June 1st, 2012
9:52 am
richbrave – Almost finished his portrait. Should have it in the mail on Tuesday when I have the car for a Dr. appt. and running errands.
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
9:54 am
MiaBchBravesFan:
Long time no convo. How ya’ been my man?
Duke
June 1st, 2012
9:54 am
Disgusted,
As you stated, he is 21 freaking years old. Give the kid a break. It’s just like all of these other people on the blog giving Heyward a hard time. 21 and 22 are still very, very, very young. Give them time dude.
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
9:56 am
LEW: You don’t know how much it will mean to this old geezer. Thanks will never be enough. Undying gratitude will prevail. It goes to TYLER ALLEN when my eyes are finally closed.
Disgusted
June 1st, 2012
9:56 am
@Lew–If the Braves do not sign Bourn, what are the other options out there that would be good ones?
The FA market is not great at CF (mostly corner OF) and I do not think another team is going to trade you their starting CF unless you pay a steep steep price. And what do the Braves have to trade that would be a match for what the other team wants?
All good questons, and as for Heyward, I do think the realistic option for now is to keep working with him through the yr and hope the light comes on and if it does not—then address the issue in the off season.
There is no quick solution for now.
What is in the system for now concerns me–Terdoslavich and Salcedo, I look at how they just cannot cut it in the field and how many guys can you hide in LF? I wish the kids well, but you can;t put clutzes out there.
Duke
June 1st, 2012
9:57 am
Disgusted,
I also agree that we should TRY and sign Bourn this offseason, but at what costs are we willing to pay a 30 year old center fielder who uses his legs as his main asset? Sure, 30-33 he should be great, but what about after that? He will undoubtedly want at least 5 years.
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
9:57 am
@Disgusted
“@Tomahawkin—If they do let Bourn walk I might be one of those that stop going to games all together except maybe one or two a yr. I cannot stay totally away.”
Co-Sign! I often times spend my time and money on better things to do… as opposed to throwing money at Owners who dont give a Flying F abt the fans other than hustling them
Tomahawkin
June 1st, 2012
9:58 am
richbrave
“MiaBchBravesFan:
Long time no convo. How ya’ been my man?”
Word! I haven’t seen MiaBchBravesFan on here in a Gripp!
Lew
June 1st, 2012
9:59 am
richbrave – you deserve it for all you add to the blog with your minor league reports. That’s what the purpoe of the Wurlitzers was always meant to be – thanks for significant blog contributions.
After yours is done and I finish Murph’s, maybe I’ll award another one or two. It just takes so much longer to do them anymore that I can’t get them finished fast enough to do it more than I do.
I feel really bad that you and Murph have had to wait this long.
DAP
June 1st, 2012
10:00 am
chatttownbrian We lead the league in walks given up.
yeah, but its the defense’s fault our pitching has been bad, right coach?
Disgusted
June 1st, 2012
10:00 am
Duke—In a guy’s third season of A ball, you would expect improvement if you are projecting him to be a prospect that is really going to help your team out.
Salcedo is not making any progress t all—-and Heyward, look, we were sold in the idea we were getting a Mercedes and it looks like we are getting a used Honda. Not good.
At least Heyward can take a W and play the OF.
I don;t know if Salcedo and Terdosalvich can play a position in the NL. They do not look like they are good enough.
How long do U wait??? Till they are 50?
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
10:01 am
DUKE:
Yeah, true re: SALCEDO, but he has been in the BRAVES system for two+ years now, and isn’t tearing up A+ pitching to date. He does need to step it up a notch fairly soon both at the plate and in the field.
CrαZy
June 1st, 2012
10:02 am
47 errors last season—47. How do U keep putting a clutz like that out there.
I don’t know maybe because sitting the bench wouldn’t help him get better? Though I could be wrong!!!!
Disgusted
June 1st, 2012
10:03 am
@Duke–I think we have to put out best foot forward in keeping Buurn, now if some one kicks in Carl Crawford $$$$$ than of course you can’t do that;
On the other hand, lose him and what are your options? Marlon Byrd??? Lorenzo Cain????
The off season is a way away, but rest assured that most of the fans my self included will REJECT a mediocre replacement.
CrαZy
June 1st, 2012
10:03 am
And thats what the minor leagues are for learning and developing!!!!
raleighbravefan
June 1st, 2012
10:05 am
Lew – Agree with the realatively weak bench, other than Ross.
I think inconsistancy of entire pitching staff, except for Beachy and maybe Hudson and Kimbrell is a real problem. I hope the moves being made, and better middle defense will help.
Hitting inconsistancies could be considered a problem. I view inconsistancy as an inheretant problem with hitting in general. I’ll take this over consistantly bad, like much of last year.
Sopheee
June 1st, 2012
10:05 am
Oh joy. In the morning too?
Brian from SC
June 1st, 2012
10:06 am
Don’t know much about Salcedo, and his defense does appear to be frightening. But he is still the 2nd-youngest player on the Lynchburg team (Lipka the youngest). He has been the youngest or second-youngest his whole way through the system so far. So he does have time. There doesn’t appear to be much progress, except for the fact that he did move up to high A this year, so better competition.
Disgusted
June 1st, 2012
10:06 am
@CraZy–I sort of get they are trying to keep playing him to get something as a return on an investment but this kid needs to step it up, in A ball of all places.
I wish him well, why would not everyone wish him well but come on kid–when are you gonna get better.
We all want these guys to succeed. And Terdo—–man, if he ain;t ready bext yr what do we do about third? He has to step it up NOW NOW NOW!!!!!
CrαZy
June 1st, 2012
10:07 am
Alex Gonzalez made 37 errors in 1997 in AA. He didn’t turn out a superstar, but most would call him an above avg. fielder!
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
10:07 am
Disgusted:
JOEY T. might make a decent 1B. I’m not sure he could adequately man another slot in the line-up. But he’s got to figure out AAA pitching first. Off this first 30% of a AAA season, he’s going to be quite awhile figuring out ML pitching. He’s really struggling at the plate. Hopefully, SIMMONS won’t have as rough a time in ATLANTA, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he did.
Duke
June 1st, 2012
10:07 am
Disgusted, so you’re saying that Heyward will never be an All-star again? This is his first full season being healthy so far. Maybe you and some others on here were sold on Heyward being a MVP candidate in his first two years at the age of 22, but the more realistic people on this blog probably anticipated it taking the kid a little while. Not everyone can come into the league at this age and dominate. I just hope our fans don’t give up on the kid.
CrαZy
June 1st, 2012
10:08 am
I sort of get they are trying to keep playing him to get something as a return on an investment
I don’t I think they keep playing him because it’s part of the process with a VERY young kid.
Duke
June 1st, 2012
10:09 am
And how long do I wait? I usually give prospects or players until 26. If they haven’t figured it out by then they probably never will.
richbrave
June 1st, 2012
10:10 am
LEW:
No worries on that end.
Murph
June 1st, 2012
10:10 am
Do or Die Time for Mike Minor…He is due for a good start…
Like I said before Minor’s last start, the guy is due-due.
I’m not much for predictions, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Freeman is going to uncork on Washington pitching tonight. If anyone has the short, fast swing to take a Strasburg fastball deep, it’s him.
Now the question is… can Freddie drive in more runs than Minor allows? It’ll be tough… he’ll need at least 6 RBI to keep the team in it. Not out of Freddie’s reach, but it’ll be tough.
CraZy, I gotta believe….
CrαZy
June 1st, 2012
10:11 am
1993 Derek Jeter had 56 errors in A ball. Clearly they should’ve moved him to another position at that point!!
Disgusted
June 1st, 2012
10:11 am
Learning and developing is what the minors are for but when do you start demanding signifigant progress and accountability.
Of the prospects on the Hot Seat, its on Terdo because we need a replacement for Chipper to be ready in ST of 2013 at the latest.
Salcedo looks like he will camp t in A ball for a while, if he is not moving up in two yrs, guess that is why you have a draft every year–to develop and get new guys to replace the ones that can;t.
We need a good draft this yr. Got to get some gems in the late rounds. The first round is not the end all and be all.
Look how much better that second round pick Stanton was than Heyward? We need to draft a Stanton in THIS draft and he be ready by ‘16 at the latest. .
Lee in S GA
June 1st, 2012
10:12 am
Tomahawkin
No Love for Weezer, Henry Rollins Lenny Kravitz or Motorhead on here?
——————————————————-
I like Weezer. Not many of my friends do though.
Lew
June 1st, 2012
10:13 am
richbrave – Well, thanks for your patience.
raleighbravefan
June 1st, 2012
10:13 am
Lew – Give yourself a Wurlitzer! You deserve it, my friend.
Powderfinger
June 1st, 2012
10:14 am
“What could Heyward and Venterbumb bring in return if they were shopped around now????”
Are you kidding me? After all Venters has done for us, you resort to assigning him a crappy nickname because he’s struggling so far this season? Heaven forbid we support him and see if he can be coached-up, because it’s probable that there’s a mechanical flaw or physical problem. What a front-runner…