Heyward will hit .303 with Braves in 2010, James says
The Braves are hoping baseball writer Bill James is right about Jason Heyward. (Ed Gardner/Mississippi Braves)
I would imagine when Braves general manager Frank Wren starts his day, he doesn’t think, “Before I call another general manager this morning, let me see what Bill James thinks.”
But here we go.
James, the ultimate baseball numbers geek, who has written a couple of dozen books and is a senior adviser for the Boston Red Sox, projects that Braves’ prospect Jason Heyward — who has played only three games at the Triple-A level and none in the majors — will hit .303 with the Braves next season. This and other projections are in the “Bill James Handbook 2010,” excerpts of which were emailed to me.
Quoth James in his book: “In any season, the vast majority of players play in a manner that seems a natural
Rookie Jordan Schafer didn't quite cover his face in shame. But close.
extension of what they had done before. When that happens, our projection should be reasonably accurate.”
James wrote nothing about the Jordan Schafer Effect.
He might be right about Heyward. But Schafer clearly was not ready to step up to the majors last season after success in the minors. He hit only .204 with 63 strikeouts in 167 at-bats before being sent down to Gwinnett.
Nate McLouth, despite being a disappointment (.256) after being acquired from Pittsburgh, presumably will be the Braves’ starting center fielder. But both starting corner outfield spots could be open. Wren is hoping to strengthen the lineup (possibly with an outfielder) by dealing a pitcher (Derek Lowe, Kenshin Kawakami or Javier Vazquez).
The Braves and Tim Hudson are expected to complete a deal soon on a three-year contract. Trade talks likely will heat up after that.
Heyward seems like the real deal. He is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and 20 years old. He hit.296 in 49 games at Single-A Myrtle Beach, .352 in 47 games at Double-A Mississippi and .364 in three games at Triple-A Gwinnett.
♦
Here are some other projections by James:
|
Key Braves Hitters (by OPS)e |
|||||||
| Player |
At-bats |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
Avg. |
OPS |
| Chipper Jones |
459 |
78 |
21 |
78 |
3 |
.296 |
.905 |
| Brian McCann |
522 |
69 |
24 |
100 |
4 |
.291 |
.874 |
| Jason Heyward |
542 |
86 |
17 |
78 |
11 |
.303 |
.836 |
| Kelly Johnson |
485 |
78 |
14 |
62 |
10 |
.274 |
.799 |
| Nate McClouth |
528 |
93 |
20 |
67 |
19 |
.263 |
.797 |
♦
Here are three key Braves pitching projections in 2010, according to James:
|
Key Braves Pitchers (by ERA) |
||||||
| Player |
IP |
W |
L |
K |
SV |
ERA |
| Rafael Soriano |
79 |
6 |
3 |
90 |
34 |
2.39 |
| Tommy Hanson |
191 |
14 |
7 |
206 |
0 |
3.30 |
| Javier Vazquez |
215 |
15 |
9 |
204 |
0 |
3.60 |
♦
Do you agree with the lofty projections for Heyward, or does the Schafer experience make you cautious?
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88 comments Add your comment
GoodTraction
November 4th, 2009
2:01 pm
First?
GoodTraction
November 4th, 2009
2:02 pm
I was waitin’ on Sonny . . .
GoodTraction
November 4th, 2009
2:03 pm
The REAL Sonny.
Herschel Talker
November 4th, 2009
2:03 pm
Let us hope even Booby the Idiot can’t screw this one up.
Rick Behenna
November 4th, 2009
2:06 pm
I’ve got him down for .311.
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2009
2:11 pm
Rick — you coming out with a book, too?
Innocent Bystander
November 4th, 2009
2:12 pm
Jeff, do you know if Bill James’ prediction takes into account that the Braves will most likely wait until June to bring Heyward up, a la Tommy Hanson?
Yikes
November 4th, 2009
2:22 pm
Kelly Johnson? I hope he doesn’t bat that much or we’re gonna be in some trouble.
Knuckle Sandwich
November 4th, 2009
2:27 pm
Schaffer broke his wrist in one of the first series of the year. I still don’t think we have seen what he can really do.
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2009
2:37 pm
Innocent Bystander — If you look at the above chart, he projects Heyward with 542 at-bats. That’s pretty close to a full season, when you factor in off days, injuries.
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2009
2:38 pm
Knuckle Sandwich — I agree (and certainly hope) we haven’t seen best of Schafer.
Jim H.
November 4th, 2009
2:45 pm
Schafer had a bad wrist almost all of last season. If not for that he probably would have avoided those struggles. If you will recall he got off to great start before he was hurt. We will hear from him yet. I love the idea of an outfield of McClouth, Heyward and Schafer. Nothing should fall out there!
Smack
November 4th, 2009
2:45 pm
Heyward is actually capable of more, if he starts the year in Atlanta.
ugaaccountant
November 4th, 2009
2:51 pm
I do believe Heyward hits right at .300 for the season. His at-bats are too high though as the Braves will not call him up until June to avoid super 2 eligibility. The Runs and RBI’s are also probably too high even for that many at bats as Bobby will bat him 8th most days. HR’s might be about right, for that number of at bats.
Bottom line though, Heyward will be a stud.
The Dogfighter Returns
November 4th, 2009
2:55 pm
I am glad baseball season is over. who cares about the braves anyway? is this the best you could come up with during the world series?
he is going to be another jeff francouer. he will do great once he is shipped out of atlanta.
Brian
November 4th, 2009
2:56 pm
I took the “Jordan Schafer Effect” comment as kind of a warning that the projection could be well off. I don’t know if you have James’ projection for Schafer last year in front of you, but he was nowhere near the hitter Heyward has been in the minors, and was two years older at every level. Career minor league numbers:
Schafer: .269/.337/.446, 368 Ks to 148 BBs
Heyward: .318/.391/.508, 138 Ks to 105 BBs
Schafer already struck out a lot in the minors, and I’m betting Bill James’ projection for him would have had him doing so in the majors. There isn’t likely to be a “Jordan Schafer effect” with Heyward because Heyward is a whole heaping lot better than Schafer.
Delbert D.
November 4th, 2009
3:00 pm
The gospel according to James has Chipper hitting .296? For Atlanta?
Delbert D.
November 4th, 2009
3:01 pm
That photo is not Schafer, by the way.
Rick Behenna
November 4th, 2009
3:02 pm
I’ve already written one, “The Forgotten Man: The Third Wheel in the Worst Trade Ever.”
Brian
November 4th, 2009
3:04 pm
Considering that Chipper is a .307 career hitter, a .317 hitter over the last five years, and a .321 hitter over the last three years, .296 sounds kinda low to me. Is that what you were saying, Delbert D.?
Brian
November 4th, 2009
3:06 pm
Delbert D., looks like Schafer to me, unless you’re talking about the picture of Heyward on top.
Eminem
November 4th, 2009
3:07 pm
Yo, that pic is not Schaefer, it’s me Eminem.
Born2Buzz
November 4th, 2009
3:12 pm
You posted the Kelly Johnson numbers in there just to frighten us, right?
Fischerking04
November 4th, 2009
3:13 pm
Thanks Jeff! Have you heard anything about the Vaz for Carl Crawford rumor? Just wondering if it had any merit or something that was completely hypothetical.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 4th, 2009
3:15 pm
My book doesn’t have KJ in it.
matt
November 4th, 2009
3:22 pm
Still no 30-40/100-120 guy??????? Yeah the braves won’t win $hit without one.
DawgDad
November 4th, 2009
3:31 pm
The Braves need a lot of things to break well to improve on their standing: Chipper rebound, Anderson replacement help from one or more young outfielders, resign LaRoche, sign another competent power hitter, rebuilt bullpen, good health among starting pitchers, and general improvement from the rest of the crew. All of that represents a pretty tall order and a lot of finger-crossing.
Most likely we get LaRoche OR another mediocre power hitter, more of the same from Chipper, inconsistent play from the youngsters, holes in the bullpen, and one or two starters out with arm trouble. Florida and Washington may improve, and the Phillies aren’t likely to fold up tent. In short, this team is a couple of star players and good fortune away from contending for a World Series bid.
Brian
November 4th, 2009
3:32 pm
matt, the Braves won three of their division titles in the 90s and their only World Series without a 30-HR hitter. They won 9 of their division titles without a 40-HR hitter. They won two division titles without a 100-RBI man, and won 10 titles without a 120-RBI man.
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2009
3:46 pm
Brian – Good pts. My point is that you just don’t know about a kid – in any sport – until he gets there. Given that, I thought the projections were lofty. But we’ll see.
Delbert D – It is Heyward on top and Schafer on the bottom. Unless it’s Eminem, as Eminem suggests.
Born2Buzz – Hah! No, I just copied the chart that was sent to me. But to your point, I don’t expect KJ to be back.
Shaun
November 4th, 2009
3:52 pm
Here’s the problem with making any comparison between Heyward and Schafer: Schafer has hit .269/.337/.446 (AVG/OBP/SLG) in the minors and didn’t reach Double-A until his age 21 season. Heyward has hit .318/.391/.508 in the minors and reached Triple-A less than a month after turning 20. Not all prospects are created equal. Clearly Heyward has put up superior numbers to Schafer in pro ball and at younger ages than Schafer (and many other prospects for that matter).
numbers spell gloom
November 4th, 2009
3:52 pm
I think it’s a pretty big indictment that James suggests that the Braves will have two starters with 200+ Ks, yet neither will notch a 16th win. Seems like he projects the Braves to another 84 win season and a third place finish.
Shaun
November 4th, 2009
3:58 pm
Obviously nothing is a sure thing But given that most position players who show the plate discipline, bat control and power that Heyward showed mostly as a teenager at six levels of pro baseball, I think it’s very likely he will be noticeably above average in his first major league season and will quickly develop into one of the league’s top rightfielders within 3-4 seasons.
Pete Orr
November 4th, 2009
4:00 pm
The earliest the Braves would bring Heyward up would be June, b/c they are cheap. Same as they did with Hanson this past season.
Shaun
November 4th, 2009
4:07 pm
Schafer had a bad wrist almost all of last season. If not for that he probably would have avoided those struggles. If you will recall he got off to great start before he was hurt. We will hear from him yet. I love the idea of an outfield of McClouth, Heyward and Schafer. Nothing should fall out there!
Schafer also was clearly inferior to Heyward in the minors. Just look up the evidence (the right pro statistics that tell us about players’ skills) and it’s clear that you can’t draw any conclusions about Heyward from Schafer’s major league performance.
Shaun
November 4th, 2009
4:14 pm
I’m not sure how many of you are familiar with the CHONE projection system (you can view its projections from last season at fangraphs.com), but they had Schafer hitting .238 with a .305 on-base and a .374 slugging last season. I hate to speculate but I would guess Bill James’s projections for Schafer last season would have been somewhat close to that, given that they probably use similar methodology.
BosnianBaller
November 4th, 2009
4:14 pm
This is stupid.What were his projections for Vazquez going into 2009.He probably had him with an era of 4.90
Mike
November 4th, 2009
4:31 pm
Jeff,
Your comment about JS was wrong. He hurt is wrist early and never recovered. You seem pretty narrow-minded about the guy we all hope will be our center fielder soon and perhaps our left fielder in 2010.
Shaun
November 4th, 2009
4:32 pm
BosnianBaller, CHONE had Vazquez at 14-8 with a 3.26 ERA and 200 strikeouts and projected him to be about as good as any starter in the game. So complex projection systems are very valuable, especially to teams trying to determine what to pay players and what trades to make. And it seems logical if you think about it, the more useful data they can feed into their system, the more accurate the projection.
Shaun
November 4th, 2009
4:34 pm
Mike, look at Schafer’s minor league number and tell me if they look like a likely future star. I think he could very well develop into a useful major league player but I see no evidence that he’s likely to be a great player every year.
Shaun
November 4th, 2009
4:42 pm
Projection systems are better than an individual trying to guess. It’s just impossible to objectively factor in as much data as a computer projection system can. However, projection systems combined with the subjective human guesses probably work the best. Projection systems probably can’t factor in injury history, age and body type as well as a human.
Ted Striker
November 4th, 2009
4:42 pm
There are some who ask themselves WDJT (”What does James think”) then there are those who ask themselves WWSD (”What Would Striker Do?”).
Fairly disparate numbers between the two groups.
Any hotties in the WWSD group — I’m available after 10:30 pm tonight for a free compatibility test. Groups and twins welcome. Groups of twins? Never did that. But you’d rock my world.
Jay
November 4th, 2009
4:48 pm
Jeff, is there any chance a healthy Schafer wins back the starting centerfield job? His defense is just as good as McClouth’s and he has a stronger arm. McClouth in left and Schafer in center sounds good for the pitchers.
Brian
November 4th, 2009
5:03 pm
numbers spell gloom, not necessarily. The Dodgers had the best record in the NL this year, and had no one with over 12 wins. What you don’t seem to realize is that these days, not that many guys win 15 or more games. Only 11 guys in the NL won 15 games last year (two of them Braves), and only THREE won 16.
bob horner stayed hurt
November 4th, 2009
5:05 pm
Do you agree with the lofty projections for Heyward, or does the Schafer experience make you cautious?
I actually think the Schafer let down bodes well for the Braves…they are due for some good fortune…..
Bill James was the guy profiled on 60 minutes a while back…correct..???
sidslid
November 4th, 2009
5:13 pm
Still no power there. “Rochy” needs signed long term and then deal Freeman for a power right handed second baseman. Let Prado play left until Chipper retires. Jose Lopez of Seattle would be a great fit and Mariners are hurting at first.
nique
November 4th, 2009
5:19 pm
What are James’s numbers for Norton? .000 with 0 hr and 0 rbi in 111 ABs?
bob horner stayed hurt
November 4th, 2009
5:20 pm
sidslid…(cool screen name BTW..) ummm signing Rochy gives me the creeps…kinda like dating a girl in HS that was ugly at the beginning of the year…but then she blossums in the spring….you always worry about her past….also…he would cost sooo much $$$..this is very tough decesion…IMHO…we should go with Heyward…due to financial constraints
nique
November 4th, 2009
5:21 pm
sidslid did you just say “power right handed second baseman”? it would be much easier to find a power right handed OF than 2B.
bruce
November 4th, 2009
5:23 pm
Jeff, I believe Schafer will be fine. A ruptured wrist ligament is a big deal, I promise. I ruptured my scapholunate ligament (ligament between the two named bones) in my hand and it was a huge deal, gourmet surgery. I think they fused the bones for Jordan, like they did for Isiah Thomas, a repair that has a faster recovery time, but later in life he will have more difficulty with the wrist than if the ligament had been successfully repaired. I believe Jordan will still be the Jordan Schafer that exited spring training and caused the Braves to trade the other guy who was a primo outfielder who caused Gary Sheffield to be released. That is a pretty good cause-effect ripple effect. I am rooting for him and hope that many others will do the same. The “Effect” is a misnomer, in my belief, and Jordan will show that in spring training… when we will find out that now we have too many outfielders if we sign a big bat outfielder. All good problems. Thanks for helping to get us through the series… Bruce
ugaaccountant
November 4th, 2009
5:23 pm
Hanson lived up to his lofty projections. Not every prospect fails.
Plus 1) Schafer was never as highly rated by scouts as Heyward, not even when he was possibly on steroids. 2) Schafer was apparently hurt most of the year and 3) Schafer’s minor league numbers are nothing compared with Heyward’s numbers.
ugaaccountant
November 4th, 2009
5:26 pm
Bruce – “the Braves to trade the other guy who was a primo outfielder who caused Gary Sheffield to be released. That is a pretty good cause-effect ripple effect.”
Josh Anderson was not a “primo outfielder” unless you use the word to mean “barely adequate to be in the majors”. A few people wanted Anderson around for his speed and because he was cheap, but nobody would have been excited about him being our CF.
Larry
November 4th, 2009
5:34 pm
We could have the Yankees current batting lineup and the Braves pitching in the 90’s but we’d still watch the other team celebrate on the pitcher’s mound because of Bobby Cox, the worst postseason manager and indisputably the worst in-game, strategic, big game, must win manager in baseball history who sports the almost perfect 1-14 last game record in the postseason.
That he’ll be in the dugout again next year is simply a profoundly hopeless and depressing thought.
JeffInRaleigh
November 4th, 2009
5:49 pm
What were Bill James projection for Frenchy over the last couple of years – as well as next year ?
Bill James on Heyward « Rowland's Office
November 4th, 2009
6:30 pm
[...] 11/04/2009 at 7:30 pm | In Heyward | Leave a Comment In his 2010 Handbook, Bill James projects these big league numbers for Jay Hey in 2010: .303-17-78, with a .836 [...]
Sonny Clusters
November 4th, 2009
7:24 pm
We was not a “can’t miss” but we have a friend who was and he swung and missed so much that now he’s in New York where Dairy Queens are few and far between. We hope Heyward will be a big hit when he gets here but if Bobby can get Mondesi or Jordan back Heyward will never get a shot. Jeff, was you a “can’t miss” writer?
Sonny Clusters
November 4th, 2009
7:34 pm
Clusters was always able to hit. We could hit with a garden hose but give us a Louisville Slugger or a Big Stick and we could park the ball in the standw. We’d always make the pitcher throw us a strike before we turned it loose. Coach was always preaching that but we wasn’t all on the same page.
Josh
November 4th, 2009
7:36 pm
Who cares about this? We have the Hawks that are on pace to win 62 games. Although, 76 months from now I will be excited about the Bravos chances.
Ronald Millsaps
November 4th, 2009
7:43 pm
I wouldn’t trade Javier Vazquez. I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t. If Frank Wren does, we’d better acquire a 35/120-guy out of it.
If we’re going to make a trade, we COULD pursue someone whose stock is low but who COULD have a return to prominence in 2010, someone with some right-handed pop. That someone COULD be Pat Burrell.
Put Kelly Johnson in left field. Bat him eighth, and let him bat 600 times in 2010. The Burrell idea is interesting, but unless it’s Jeff Francoeur, let’s not make any trades.
Go, Phillies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sonny Clusters
November 4th, 2009
8:00 pm
Jeff would come back but he’d want some things. He’d want some more commercials and an apology from Delta for dumping him when he went in the tank. He’d probably need some time in center and maybe a game or two at short. We think he’d want his own Dairy Queen, too.
Coach (2010- Mr. Overrated retires)
November 4th, 2009
8:01 pm
I seem to remember Jeff Francoeur being called the next superstar in Atlanta. Then there was the guy who was the the “Phenom”, Brad Komminsk.
That said, Jason Heyward looks like the real deal but don’t go counting your chickens before they hatch.
As for Frank Wren, he’s way in over his head. I seriously doubt that the man can build a playoff caliber team for 2010.
Action Jackson
November 4th, 2009
8:03 pm
If they went to a pay by performance system he probably would hit .303 or better.
Asheville Dawg
November 4th, 2009
8:06 pm
Vazquez is the one other teams will want. Lowe is coming off a C+ type season for $12,000,000/year for several more seasons,who wants that? KK same thing plus translator. I hope Kelly Johnson is finally gone because Bobby Cox has way too much confidence in him, and Greg Norton.
Sonny Clusters
November 4th, 2009
8:59 pm
Clusters are a big part of any team they is on. When we was playing state championship ball we was 2 positions and pitcher and once we sang the National Anthem before a game. That’s useful to any team and we was always modest about it. Coach told us he’d rather have a Clusters than two WIntes and that wasn’t just because Clusters smell better. They is a World Series being played and hardly anybody is blogging here with Jeff tonight so we must say that baseball is pretty much over for everybody not in New York. Well, somebody in New York don’t care.
Jim
November 4th, 2009
9:21 pm
While Heyward will be a stud, those numbers seem a bit high to me for 2010. Then again, I’m not Bill James, so what do I know.
http://www.fanhuddle.com/atlantabraves <—More commentary than you can shake a tomahawk at.
cdog
November 4th, 2009
9:42 pm
SOME OF JAMES PREDICTION SOUNDS ALRIGHT EXCEPT FOR KELLY JOHNSON AND RAFAEL SORIANO. BOTH SHOULD BE GONE. BOTH ARE LOSERS AND DEAD WEIGHT.
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2009
9:55 pm
Jay, Good question. Don’t know the answer. I’m sure the Braves want Schafer to make the team. How they’d line up, don’t know.
Jeff Schultz
November 4th, 2009
9:56 pm
Mike — I’m not narrow minded at all. Schafer’s got talent and he can still have a great career. That’s obvious. I’m just not going to attribute all of his problems last year to a wrist injury.
Justafan
November 4th, 2009
10:24 pm
Schafer has not played much the last 2 years, almost zero time in AAA and failed in majors for what ever the reason…so why in he!! does some thinks he’s so great? He’s proved nothing at this point in his career except he has some speed.
Heyward is a different breed…he has all the tools and knows how to us them.
chemdawg
November 5th, 2009
12:12 am
Schultz a Bill James follower now?
scottbravesfan
November 5th, 2009
12:24 am
Jeff,
Jordan Schafer hurt his wrist 5 games into the season and didn’t tell anyone. That is why his numbers tanked. It’s hard to swing a bat if your wrist or hands are messed up.
scottbravesfan
November 5th, 2009
12:27 am
Coach,
Jeff Francoeur was never the prospect that Jason Heyward is. Jeff had terrible strikezone recognition in the minor leagues as well and no one on the Braves said anything to him. Heyward knows what the strikezone is and knows how to take a walk. The only offensive prospect the Braves have had like Heyward was Andruw Jones and he is 5th all time on the Braves home run list and won about 10 gold gloves in a row while a Brave. So lets hope Heyward turns out as good.
Coach (2010-Mr.Overrated retires)
November 5th, 2009
1:09 am
Scottbravesfan, you are correct.
Francoeur was this guy: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/10098/index.htm
Jeff Schultz
November 5th, 2009
8:45 am
Chemdawg — No. I’m actually not a numbers guy at all. They just emailed me something hoping I’d write about the book — and I bit.
Jeff Schultz
November 5th, 2009
8:46 am
Clusters — why are you bangin’ on your boy, Frenchy?
duke
November 5th, 2009
9:20 am
Jeff, if you’re going to put forth a cautionary tale about lofty expectations, you need good examples. Asking if Heyward is going to suffer from a Jordan Schafer effect is a very bad example. Heyward is a much more heralded prospect than Schafer ever was. Heyward’s closest comparison, in his minor league numbers and in the way he was promoted up the Braves system, is Andruw Jones. Schafer’s skill set (and minor league numbers) is more comparable to a guy like Ryan Langerhans: good speed though not a good percentage base stealer, excellent fielder, middling power at best, mediocre OBP, high number of strikeouts.
Mike Lum
November 5th, 2009
10:15 am
I love all the people who think it’s easy to pick up a “power hitting second-baseman” or some other 40HR/120RBI guy. Teams don’t give them up, even for a Freddis Freeman. Remember, many of you “experts” are still mad we delt Salty, Elvis, Wainwright, and Marquis.
And you see how much heavy-hitters Ryan Howard and Tex contributed to their teams playoff success. Spending money doesn’t always pay off!
Sonny Clusters
November 5th, 2009
12:31 pm
They is an imposter Clusters on here, they can’t type as good as the real Clusters.
Sonny Clusters
November 5th, 2009
12:32 pm
Jeff, they is not the real Clusters, the Clusters and Francoeur have always been close, they is an imposter Clusters.
Jeff Schultz
November 5th, 2009
12:37 pm
Sonny — I hear imitation is the ultimate form of flattery.
ugaaccountant
November 5th, 2009
3:26 pm
And you see how much heavy-hitters Ryan Howard and Tex contributed to their teams playoff success. Spending money doesn’t always pay off!
How awful would it be for the Braves to be the WS champs or runners-up? If we spend no money this offseason, we’d miss the playoffs altogether again.
All I'm Saying Is...
November 5th, 2009
4:11 pm
Jeff: Wasn’t the primary reason for Jordan Schafer’s fall off his wrist injury which he didn’t fully disclose?
Brown Foreigner
November 5th, 2009
5:18 pm
come on man you cannot get accurate information….give your job to another person
fieldofdreams
November 7th, 2009
12:43 pm
But I Bradley said Hanson was going to close games, and all the other starters were staying?
9thStBoy
November 10th, 2009
11:26 am
Jeff (or anyone)…
It might be fun to see a table showing James’ own batting average with his projections (the actuals, IOW), thrown on the page to go with his projections.
Say last season, with regard to Braves… any other place where perhaps he was really on the money… and his overall “average.”
stew
November 11th, 2009
8:14 am
Does anyone out there really believe that the Braves couldn’t have used the production out of first base that the Yanks and Phils got out of Tex and Howard? I don’t think either team gets to the playoffs let alone the world series without them. Why does everyone put down Howard who to me has 50 hrs and 150 rbis year in year out? What’s wrong with that?
stew
November 11th, 2009
8:17 am
Jose Lopez is a stud. Take him in a heartbeat.
short
November 11th, 2009
8:32 am
heyward will bat over .300 and have over 20 homers
All Prospects Not Created Equal « Snot-Nosed Baseball Blogger
November 14th, 2009
2:40 pm
[...] a comment » A couple of weeks ago on his blog at the ajc.com Jeff Shultz wrote about Braves top prospect Jason Heyward and the possibility for what he called the Jordan Schafer [...]