Anybody have access to this Baseball America article about our 2018-19 international class? Curious what we signed with so many restrictions. https://buff.ly/2TaFFYd
Total 2018 (Jan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2018) signings: 23 The Braves are still in the process of rebuilding their international program after Major League Baseball slammed them with penalties following the 2017 season for international signing violations in previous years. MLB removed several players from the Braves, though the signing restrictions the commissioner's office imposed on the club won't start until July 2, when the Braves won't be able to sign anyone for more than $10,000 in 2019-20. During the 2018-19 signing period, which began last year on July 2, the Braves couldn't sign anyone for more than $300,000, which was the standard penalty box teams any team enters for two years for exceeding its bonus pool, which the Braves did in 2016-17. The biggest bonus the Braves gave in 2018 was $200,000 to 16-year-old Dominican shortstop Francisco Floyd, who trained at the Tiburones academy. A wiry 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, Floyd is an athletic, quick-twitch shortstop who sticks out for his defensive ability. He projects to stay at the position, where he has good actions, nimble footwork and reads the ball well off the bat, with his arm and speed both grading out as 55 tools. Floyd's glove is more advanced than his bat. He has an aggressive hitting approach with a spray bat from the right side. Frankelvin Vidal is a 16-year-old Dominican righthander who signed with the Braves for $165,000 in July after training with Banana. Vidal has a smaller, relatively filled out frame (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) with a wide back and a fastball that touches the low 90s. He has a simple delivery, throwing his fastball to both sides of the plate and keeping the ball down in the zone, though with the ability to get swing-and-miss when he elevates. Vidal primarily works off his fastball, sprinkling in a slider with short break. Venezuelan outfielder Carlos Paiva, who trained with Guillermo Quintero, signed with the Braves in July. Paiva is still learning to translating his tools into game skills, but if that clicks he has a chance to be a power/speed threat in center field. He has a lot of space to fill out his wiry frame (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) and is already showing flashes of above-average raw power. He's also an above-average runner with an above-average arm, giving him a good chance to stay in center field. Dominican righthander Cesari Moreno signed for $135,000 in July after training with Quico Pena. He's 6-foot-4, 205 pounds with broad shoulders, strong legs and a big fastball for a 17-year-old. He has steadily gained velocity, regularly reaching the low 90s now and topping out at 96 mph. He throws a power curveball with good depth and has shown feel for a changeup with fading action, though he's still learning to keep his delivery in balance to be able to throw more strikes.
Add in Soroka, Gausman and our bullpen being dead two weeks from Opening Day and this season is looking dire before it gets going. Not having some fun.
I'd rather let Free be the OB machine and more of a pure contact hitter be without protection than Ronnie... If I had a choice. Too bad we couldn't have been a serious team and sign a clean up hitter
I've admittedly never really dove into analytics, but wouldn't it mean more with all the advanced stats now? That'd be my first guess, could be wrong. I mean, if there's an open spot on base, why would you give Acuna anything to hit when you can put him on and pitch to Markakis (or anyone else in the 5 spot)?
The couple of studies I've read showed that the quality of the hitter behind a particular person a lineup didn't really have an observable affect.
Good article https://www.talkingchop.com/platfor...nald-acuna-jr-josh-donaldson-lineup-questions Starting to come around to Kakes being leadoff and only playing 130 games to get some proper rest. Like this better than Ronnie at 4 OF Nick Markakis OF Ronald Acuña Jr. 1B Freddie Freeman 3B Josh Donaldson 2B Ozzie Albies C Tyler Flowers OF Ender Inciarte SS Dansby Swanson
Wasn’t he much better from the left side last season? This makes little sense to me. Did he just lack power and get on more from the right?
Poll time. What’s worse: A) me seeing Florida Georgia Line live twice this week Or B) the Braves off season? Go
Absolutely A. They are a sham and are no more country than New York City You should be bleeding from your eardrums at this point
As far as not making long term commitment to anyone, yes. I like Julio as the veteran presents, long relief. But trying to compete in our division, I wish we could have gotten a Paxton, or some OF upgrade. I dont feel fuzzy counting on Goat and Riley in unproven roles. Love to have Kimbrel still at a good rate. But we have a lot of young talent for the rotation, so I dont mind not signing or trading for a high dollar buy. As long as Folty, Sroroka, and Newk can stay healthy. We have the FLEXIBILITY to get anybody we want if options fail though.