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© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,475 comments Add your comment
TennesseePaul
June 25th, 2012
10:30 am
what are your thoughts on these last 70 plate appearances for the kid? Gotta feel good about it, despite the small sample and all
It’s pleasing to see. But, like I said after his first 10 games or so this season when he was hitting .375/.444/.656/1.101 and reasonable expectations where that he was back and easily a once in a 5 generation talent, I need him to do this over the whole season. He’s still got 90 games to go. He’s put together a nice June. Now, just put together a nice July, August, September and October.
CB
June 25th, 2012
10:31 am
You can call him Skipper or Leroy but Heyward should still be hitting 3rd.
TheOnlyBravesFan
June 25th, 2012
10:31 am
This may sound crazy, but I still think Polished can be a solid #3 starter.
I agree with that. It’ll take time, which is why he needs to be run out there. I don’t think know if this year with Beachy down is the time to do it though, unless we’re giving up on the playoffs, or JJ and Delgado will be solid down the stretch.
How long til we see a move for a starter?
Don’t know. Don’t think it will be long, FW will be getting busy soon, either with trades or callups.
Efrim
June 25th, 2012
10:32 am
Well apparently, Huddy’s ankle is still hurting, if one more guy goes down with an injury…I think the Braves do deal for a starter.
I read that too. Sort of came outta nowhere like Beachy’s elbow discomfort. Sounds like he will be able to push through it until the offseason when he’ll have surgery.
CB
June 25th, 2012
10:33 am
Ease, who is the SC Kid? He’s tough.
ncscoots
June 25th, 2012
10:34 am
Now, just put together a nice July, August, September and October.
Yes, he’s shown the bad (May) and the good (June). A couple-three months in the middle would be highly entertaining.
Efrim
June 25th, 2012
10:34 am
It’s pleasing to see. But, like I said after his first 10 games or so this season when he was hitting .375/.444/.656/1.101 and reasonable expectations where that he was back and easily a once in a 5 generation talent, I need him to do this over the whole season.
Agreed. Need to see a full season. 70 plate appearances is nice, but as you said, there are 90 games to go.
Lew
June 25th, 2012
10:34 am
How’s Heyward been the past 70 PA? Certainly not disappointing anymore.
TheOnlyBravesFan
June 25th, 2012
10:34 am
I don’t think there is a decent starter out there
And especially not at the Braves price….
Well apparently, Huddy’s ankle is still hurting, if one more guy goes down with an injury…I think the Braves do deal for a starter.
Would this make the Braves less likely to pick up his option and maybe go for a 1-2 year deal, about 6 mil per w/ incentives?
Arkansas Transplant
June 25th, 2012
10:35 am
I think right now, I’d just like to see us try to acquire Saunders if he’s available just cause the asking price may be low allowing us to look at other areas. As DOB as stated before, Willingham would be a nice addition both for depth and production.
Efrim
June 25th, 2012
10:35 am
Still can’t really believe Shaun acted like he had never called Heyward a once in a generation talent….I was amazed.
ncscoots
June 25th, 2012
10:36 am
Well, I had to go look after saying that. Heyward for May and June: .280/.355/.543
Yes, a couple-three months in the middle might be a little OK.
Ease
June 25th, 2012
10:37 am
CB, he is a guy I played ball with a couple of years ago…
TheOnlyBravesFan
June 25th, 2012
10:39 am
I think right now, I’d just like to see us try to acquire Saunders if he’s available just cause the asking price may be low allowing us to look at other areas. As DOB as stated before, Willingham would be a nice addition both for depth and production.
Saunders is hurt right now, on the DL which is why we’ll face phenom Trevor Bauer on Thursday. Think Saunders had shoulder tightness on Saturday and couldn’t get loose…
CB
June 25th, 2012
10:40 am
Cool, Ease. I know he is in your sights, go get him.
Ease
June 25th, 2012
10:40 am
Sure hope that Saunders is available…He fits right in…
The Arizona Diamondbacks have placed left-handed starter Joe Saunders on the disabled list, as he has been suffering from a strained left shoulder. Those types of injuries are tricky, as the D’Backs found out when they scratched his start on Friday after believing he was unable to get loose when the real problem lied in his throwing shoulder.
Arkansas Transplant
June 25th, 2012
10:41 am
TheOnlyBravesFan, was not aware of that.. thanks. But I do think he could fill a need at a reasonable price and without having to commit past this season.
Venice Jim
June 25th, 2012
10:42 am
Think Saunders had shoulder tightness on Saturday and couldn’t get loose
Wouldn’t have happened if Leo was his coach…
Arkansas Transplant
June 25th, 2012
10:43 am
obviously if he’s not proven healthy, we shouldn’t do the trade.
MFin04
June 25th, 2012
10:43 am
I’d still rather have a bat than a pitcher.
George Stein
June 25th, 2012
10:46 am
Thing is, Efrim, there would be no shame in thinking that about Heyward (although the wisdom of heaping such lofty expectations on a 19 year old is debatable). Everyone expected Heyward to be great.
He won’t keep up this pace, but if he keeps driving balls away in the left field gap, he’s not gonna slow down by much.
TheOnlyBravesFan
June 25th, 2012
10:47 am
Saunders Career averages. 4.11 ERA,209IP, 221H,95 ER, 26 HR, 66BB, 118 SO, 1.375 WHIP, 9.5 H/9 1.1 HR/9, 2.8 BB/9, 5.1 SO/9, 1.79 SO/BB
btw, is there any way on BBRef or somewhere to combine pitchers stats from more than 1 year? Really don’t want to do the math myself, but I wanted to compare Saunders from Sept last year until now, with Delgado (delgado’s been pitching w/ the big league club since September last year.)
Efrim
June 25th, 2012
10:47 am
I’d still rather have a bat than a pitcher.
No way. Freeman and McCann aren’t going to hit like this. For all of the praise Delgado has received, it’s still a 4.52 ERA and a concerning walk rate. He’s our #3 right now.
TheOnlyBravesFan
June 25th, 2012
10:50 am
Wouldn’t have happened if Leo was his coach…
Of course!!!
I’d still rather have a bat than a pitcher.
I’m torn right now. If Beachy was here, I’d agree. But right now, I don’t know if we should get a pitcher or just let the young guys work through their struggles, no matter how bad they look. Either way, we do need bench help and a RP won’t hurt, but other than that, I don’t know.
Mr. Obsessed with Weight
June 25th, 2012
10:50 am
To have fun and lighten the blog. Jimmy
You do a great job of using the same lame as* material day after day. That doesn’t lighten up the blog it just forces everyone to read the same BS day after day.
TennesseePaul
June 25th, 2012
10:53 am
Hah! I can finally post that after this hot streak and not feel like it was all the first two months of his rookie year skewing it….
Nope, just the first two months of 2010 and one month in 2012.
_______________________________G__AVG__OBP__SLG___OPS
May 31, 2010 to May 30, 2012 274 .244 .345 .396 0.741
The rest of the time________ 066 .322 .412 .630 1.042
TheOnlyBravesFan
June 25th, 2012
10:54 am
For all of the praise Delgado has received, it’s still a 4.52 ERA and a concerning walk rate. He’s our #3 right now.
Not JJ? Either way, that’s scary if any of them is our #3.. But I’d like a bat or 2 off the bench, preferably one who can play LF when Chipper needs a day off…
And yes, RD walk rate is 4.6/9. That’s scary high. Minor is only 3.7/9. RD has just done a better job than Minor on working past his walks.
MFin04
June 25th, 2012
10:55 am
“He’s our #3 right now.”
Nope, he isn’t, but good try.
Freeman and McCann very well could hit like this. Freeman could have a sophomore slump like Heyward (he was bad ALL year) and McCann very well could be declining. Neither would surprise me.
jeffrey d
June 25th, 2012
10:56 am
I know I’m 9th right now, but I’ll be top 3 by August.
TennesseePaul
June 25th, 2012
10:59 am
Scoots, in May Heyward hit .200/.315/.389/.705.
In June Heyward has hit .391/.417/.754/1.170
First half of April: .375/.444/.656/1.101
2nd half of April: .200/.265/.289/.554
Granted, you could pretty much split any player’s months into halves…. one half being a lump of all the ohfers, the other all the mashing.
At any rate, Heywards April was decent. It started off well then turned into May. Now he’s back again. If he can avoid May’s for the rest of the season, I’ll be very pleased with him.
jeffrey d
June 25th, 2012
11:00 am
You do a great job of using the same lame as* material day after day
Yes, because we talk about banjos and overalls day after day.
You do a great job of using the same lame as* material day after day
Forces…..forces….I didn’t realize people were being forced to read the blog and certain comments. Type an angry response if you’re being held against your will and we’ll send out a rescue team.
Efrim
June 25th, 2012
11:00 am
.244 .345 .396 0.741
I actually though it was going to be worse.
Ease
June 25th, 2012
11:01 am
Are you in another league?
TennesseePaul
June 25th, 2012
11:02 am
“He’s our #3 right now.”
Nope, he isn’t, but good try.
Hudson, Hanson, Delgado, Minor, Jurrjens/etc.
Yep, Delgado is the #3 right now. That could change with more positive outings from Jair or a replacement else where, but right now, he’s the 3.
jeffrey d
June 25th, 2012
11:02 am
No
Ease
June 25th, 2012
11:02 am
I got your back jeffrey…
That doesn’t lighten up the blog it just forces everyone to read the same BS day after day.
TennesseePaul
June 25th, 2012
11:03 am
I actually though it was going to be worse.
Reasonable expectations.
MFin04
June 25th, 2012
11:03 am
“Hudson, Hanson, Delgado, Minor, Jurrjens/etc.”
Nope. Also a valiant try.
Ease
June 25th, 2012
11:03 am
Then how will you be top 3 by August?
Efrim
June 25th, 2012
11:03 am
Nope, he isn’t, but good try.
Wow. Can we please just take it easy with Jair Jurrjens one….friggin…..start? Simply incredible how people overreact to one start or one game. How about we see 5 solid starts from Jair before thinking he is back? Unbelievable.
Freeman and McCann very well could hit like this. Freeman could have a sophomore slump like Heyward (he was bad ALL year) and McCann very well could be declining. Neither would surprise me.
But Jair Jurrjens pitching poorly in his next start would be a bigger surprise, right? Please.
CB
June 25th, 2012
11:04 am
That was cold.
jeffrey d
June 25th, 2012
11:04 am
Surge.
jeffrey d
June 25th, 2012
11:04 am
I was 3rd a couple weeks ago….then fell down the toilet and lost about 8 more players to the DL.
TennesseePaul
June 25th, 2012
11:05 am
Not JJ?
I was very pleased with Jurrjens’ outing Friday. Very pleased. But it was one outing. He needs more than that to be “back.”
jeffrey d
June 25th, 2012
11:05 am
This is going to be a Statement Week
Bat Masterson
June 25th, 2012
11:05 am
A little context of Heyward’s offense this year, not based on results, might be in order.
CrαZy
June 25th, 2012
11:06 am
I’m in one of those leagues, but I can’t remember my user name or password??
ncscoots
June 25th, 2012
11:08 am
Freeman and McCann very well could hit like this [the rest of the season].
I’ll take all that action you care to place.
TennesseePaul
June 25th, 2012
11:08 am
MFin04, You’re right, it could be Hanson, Hudson, Delgado, Jurrjens/etc. right now. Hudson and Hanson could be a toss up. But either way, I think we can all agree they are the top 2 with Delgado 3rd.
Or did the Braves acquire a starter in the last 15 minutes of whom I’m unaware?
Ease
June 25th, 2012
11:09 am
That was me a couple of weeks ago.
Arkansas Transplant
June 25th, 2012
11:09 am
Last I checked, I was jumping between 1st and 2nd in one league and 9th and 10th in the other.
CB
June 25th, 2012
11:10 am
Crazy, password is yourandidiot. You are 10th.
Ease
June 25th, 2012
11:11 am
CraZy, you’re in the other one…
ncscoots
June 25th, 2012
11:11 am
A little context of Heyward’s offense this year, not based on results, might be in order.
Oh, man, ain’t that the truth, LOL. Unlikely, in this forum.
Arkansas Transplant
June 25th, 2012
11:11 am
Zack Greinke would be a great addition, but there’s no way I give much for someone that would be here just a couple of months and then walks. And there’s no way he comes cheap either.
nolie
June 25th, 2012
11:17 am
TOBF click on the first year and then on the last year, BBREF will do the math for everything in between IIRC
ncscoots
June 25th, 2012
11:17 am
Well, pitching, in some form, is probably the short term need, but a bat is certainly the longer-term need. And that’s “long-term” as in “as soon as next year”. So, whatever the FO is going to do now has to be balanced against that next need. They can’t afford to spend so much trade currency in 2012 that it hampers their ability to fill next year’s slots.
That’s a pretty dicey balancing act.
MFin04
June 25th, 2012
11:18 am
“Wow. Can we please just take it easy with Jair Jurrjens one….friggin…..start?”
Not overreacting. The guys is THAT good. I think the overreacting was acting like he lost it and wasn’t going to be a dominant pitcher ever again.
JoeFan
June 25th, 2012
11:19 am
If the Braves are to have any postseason chance, they need to promote Mejia from AAA and plug him into LF. Move Prado to 3B permanently, let Chipper come off the bench and offer hitting suggestions, plus add a quality starting pitcher.
ncscoots
June 25th, 2012
11:22 am
The other thing is, what pitcher is actually available who could also make a difference worthy of his price? People who still scream about the Teixeira deal forget that pitching was the need that year, also, and there just wasn’t any to be had that was worth making the deal.
Arkansas Transplant
June 25th, 2012
11:23 am
Well, pitching, in some form, is probably the short term need, but a bat is certainly the longer-term need. And that’s “long-term” as in “as soon as next year”.
That’s why I wouldn’t mind a move for someone like Saunders, not necessarily him, but someone of that caliber and talent that may come a lower cost, allowing us to still look ahead to next season.
TennesseePaul
June 25th, 2012
11:25 am
I think the overreacting was acting like he lost it and wasn’t going to be a dominant pitcher ever again.
That’s a bit of an exaggeration of most views here. I think he is good and that there is a possibility that he can return to form, I just posit that it takes more than 1 start to demonstrate any player has returned to form. Otherwise you end up on the morning of April 19th, 2006 proclaiming Kyle Davies is a legit #1 Ace, after all he was a highly regarded prospect and he did just pitch a complete game 3-hitter the night before….
DAP
June 25th, 2012
11:25 am
murph, i woulnt be too worried about the rotation based on minor and delgado’s starts. they were facing one of the best offenses in baseball, and minor actually threw really well for several innings. delgado looked like he just didnt have it. it happens. i think the rotation is still basically solid, though getting a pitcher wouldnt be the worst thing.
nolie
June 25th, 2012
11:26 am
Isn’t Saunders hurt a lot?
Efrim
June 25th, 2012
11:26 am
Not overreacting. The guys is THAT good. I think the overreacting was acting like he lost it and wasn’t going to be a dominant pitcher ever again.
I think there was enough data from 2010-2012 to figure he wasn’t. What he did on Friday night was nothing short of astonishing. Interested to see how he follows it up over the next 3-4 starts. He was inconsistent from start to start in Gwinnett, that’s for sure.
abeeewright
June 25th, 2012
11:26 am
Looks like this season is going to hinge on Jurrjens. If he can pitch like he did first half 2011, Braves can stand Minor’s and Delgado’s inconsistency.
If he pitches inconsistently, Braves will have three spots in the rotation that are up and down.
A little bit of offense would cover over the pitching staff’s woes.
Lew
June 25th, 2012
11:27 am
MFin04 – Yep JJ is that good – sometimes. Other times (and quiecently) he hasn’t been that good – far from it.
Dude’s performance has been up and down all year – he’ll pitch a good game and then get the crap kicked out of him. Soi let’s be glad he pitched that well the other nitght and wait and see IF it continues even one more start before we annoint him as a second coming.
nolie
June 25th, 2012
11:27 am
Shoulda drafted a gut named Major, not Minor
nolie
June 25th, 2012
11:28 am
guy
Efrim
June 25th, 2012
11:28 am
The other thing is, what pitcher is actually available who could also make a difference worthy of his price?
I think Garza would be awesome. Just not trading Julio Teheran or Randall Delgado for him – so if that’s when talks end, then just move right along.
abeeewright
June 25th, 2012
11:29 am
Jurrjens has a track record of multiple seasons of success.
Davies, Minor, Chuck James, etc have had flashes, but no consistent record of sustained good performance.
Brian from SC
June 25th, 2012
11:30 am
Argghh…I predicted the Braves, with Andrelton Simmons manning SS, would have under a 3.50 ERA in the month of June, even while facing these AL East teams. For the first time all month, their ERA is above that mark after yesterday’s game (3.61). Still got five games left to get it down…
Lew
June 25th, 2012
11:30 am
nolie – NO – according to some here, The gut was drafted several years earlier than MInor.
cricket
June 25th, 2012
11:31 am
Someone asked Manuel why Bastardo came in the game in the eighth inning. Manuel explained that Hamels had already thrown 111 pitches, it was hot, it was the eighth inning and how the fates and Ruben Amaro had aligned the world in such a way that Bastardo is the Phillies’ eighth inning guy. Then he said …
“You guys ought to sit in the dugout with me during the game and give me all the scenarios because I don’t think we know them,” Manuel said sarcastically. “We don’t know how to manage a game. Really, you guys ought to sit down there with us or tweet or something and float the information down there to me because I’m not smart enough to get it.”
Bat Masterson
June 25th, 2012
11:31 am
I thought JJ’s interview Saturday was interesting. I didn’t catch it all but it seemed he was saying he did not take his offseason training seriously. I got the impression he was beating up on himself pretty hard.
Efrim
June 25th, 2012
11:31 am
Shoulda drafted a guy named Major, not Minor
Or if Polished just lived up to a little of the expectations the org. had for him, we’d be okay. He’s looked a lot more like Jeremy Sowers than David Price – both Vandy Alumni.
CB
June 25th, 2012
11:32 am
Major gut? We have a couple of those I believe.
ncscoots
June 25th, 2012
11:35 am
What he did on Friday night was nothing short of astonishing. Interested to see how he follows it up over the next 3-4 starts.
At least, I don’t think there will be question about his workout ethic, strengthening the knee, etc. A few bus rides can change a lot of attitude.
The good thing is that you should be able to tell right away, in any of his good starts, when he’s starting to lose it. Pitches up will be a pretty good sign that the knee is getting fatigued and it’s time to lift him.
Brian from SC
June 25th, 2012
11:36 am
Technically, the Mets’ interleague opponents had a higher total win percentage than the Braves’. But the two teams had the exact same schedule, except the Braves played the Red Sox while the Mets didn’t. (The Mets played 3 fewer IL games). Since I consider the Red Sox to be pretty good, I am comfortable saying the Braves had the toughest interleague schedule in baseball. Now is the time to get things right and start putting some win streaks together.
nolie
June 25th, 2012
11:37 am
yeah the first few he threw in that last inning were up and awry, not down where he had lived all night
nolie
June 25th, 2012
11:38 am
Votto is God!!
ncscoots
June 25th, 2012
11:39 am
Really, you guys ought to sit down there with us or tweet or something and float the information down there to me
If there were an armchair manager who could think far enough ahead to actually tweet something in time for it do any good, they’d put mobile devices in every dugout. Stupy doodie-heads, they put a bench coach in there, instead.
Lew
June 25th, 2012
11:39 am
cricket – Nice a manager finally admitted it, right?
Murph
June 25th, 2012
11:39 am
Yeah, I’d hold off on any proclamations regarding JJ… we’ll see how he does next time out when teams are sitting on the 84mph change instead of the 91mph fastball.
Not to take anything away from him, he pitched a great game and left me eating crow for breakfast, lunch, and dinner… but….
Lew
June 25th, 2012
11:40 am
Bat – That’s not the first rap JJ has gotten about dogging it in the training department.
Brian from SC
June 25th, 2012
11:41 am
The Giants are making it look like two wild card teams out of the east is a long shot. Conveniently, they get to play lots more games against the Padres and Rockies going forward. And I still think the Cardinals are going to shoot back up. The Braves have a real fight on their hands for the playoffs. There are going to be quite a few teams in the 85-90 win range.
Waffle House or Bust
June 25th, 2012
11:42 am
Until this team has the correct set lineup that plays EVERY DAY then it will continue to be a season of ups and downs.
1. Mac is not a number 3 hitter.
2. Uggla is not a cleanup hitter.
3. Matt Diaz should never see LF again.
4. 3B rotation should be between Prado and Chipper. Thats it!
5. The lineup to roll with…
BOURN – speed
UGGLA – OBP
PRADO – only solid hitter on team
MAC – will hit more HR in fourth spot
FREEMAN – like him and Heyward back to back
HEYWARD – showing signs of that 2010 player
JONES – old man anchor
SIMMONS – might even do the pitcher 8th trick with Simmons so he is one two with Bourn
Whatever the lineup is, Fredi needs to stick with it and only rest Chipper some so the players can get used to their roles. Mac said this himself on Friday then fat manager changes the lineup next day. Stop trying to be a genius Fredi and play the players that are being paid to play.
Jimmy
June 25th, 2012
11:43 am
“You do a great job of using the same lame as* material day after day”
Away from the blog for an hour, and I get called out by name. I guess I could launch into attack mode, but honestly, besides your statement being completely false, it has no impact on me. No vaule at all.
And by the way, kudos for your contribution to the discussion. You numbletard.
Now on to real business. Frank Reardon is really, really sorry.
Lew
June 25th, 2012
11:43 am
Brian – Yeah, but the NL West didn’t just finish playing the NL East. Let’s see how they do against the rest of the NL – not so well, I’m imagining.
TheOnlyBravesFan
June 25th, 2012
11:45 am
“He’s our #3 right now.”
Nope, he isn’t, but good try
Until JJ puts together some good starts Delgado is our 3. He was our 4 until Beachy got hurt, and JJ can’t come up from AAA and automatically be our #3 starter
Shoulda drafted a gut named Major, not Minor
But then McCann wouldn’t get to be fat!
ncscoots
June 25th, 2012
11:45 am
The lineup to roll with…
Well, it may be that lineup order doesn’t make a whole buncha difference, but I’d say that one goes a long way towards minimizing productivity.
Bat Masterson
June 25th, 2012
11:45 am
Bat – That’s not the first rap JJ has gotten about dogging it in the training department.
Lew_
No, but being sent down and having the big league club’s manager call you “a minor leaguer now” probably put an exclamation point on it for him.
Frankie Wren
June 25th, 2012
11:45 am
Giants, don’t overlook the D Backs out of that division.
Lew
June 25th, 2012
11:45 am
Didn’t just finish playing the AL East
Brian from SC
June 25th, 2012
11:46 am
23 of the 30 teams in baseball are currently within 5.5 games of a playoff spot. They are KC, Minnesota, and Seattle in the AL, and Colorado, San Diego, Chicago, and Houston in the NL. The Brewers and A’s are the teams 5.5 games out and should probably consider becoming sellers also. Not because 5.5 games is a huge margin, but because there’s so many teams they’d have to jump.
Lew
June 25th, 2012
11:46 am
Bat – I would damned well hope it made a major impression on him.
Brian from SC
June 25th, 2012
11:47 am
The D-Backs have won 14 of their last 20, but that includes 12 wins and 2 losses agains the Rockies, Padres, Cubs, Mariners, and A’s.
Arkansas Transplant
June 25th, 2012
11:47 am
nolie, reguarding whether or not Saunders is always hurt.. since 08 he’s had starts 31, 31, 33, 33 and 13 so far this season.
TheOnlyBravesFan
June 25th, 2012
11:47 am
nolie: that wasn’t quite what I was looking for, as I’m starting from Sept. 1, 2011, but thanks anyways….
haggard
June 25th, 2012
11:48 am
jeffrey d
If you’re talking banjo in a bluegrass way, check out Bela Fleck’s “Daybreak” compilation and his “Drive” CD. For his sometimes non-traditional ensemble offerings, there’s “Tales From The Acoustic Planet, I and II “Earl Scruggs and Friends–including Steve Martin, who’s got major chops–is a good listen to Earl’s more recent work. And if you really want the traditional stuff, “Flatt and Scruggs-Live At Carnegie Hall” is remarkable It was recorded in 1962, just after the group had recorded “The Ballad Of Jed Clampett” for the TV show; the very song Bela Fleck says first turned him onto the banjo..