Jonah Keri did a podcast with John Smoltz. http://nerdist.com/the-jonah-keri-podcast-50-john-smoltz/ Jonah Keri braves the elements with Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz about the best weather for pitching; being traded as a prospect; the legendary Braves starting rotation of the 1990s; fostering longevity in pitchers; keys to the Braves’ success during their dynasty; changes John would like to see in the playoffs; The Last Great Pennant Race in 1993; market inefficiencies; the 1994 Expos; transitioning to the bullpen; pitching then vs. now; approaching Tommy John surgery rehab; Hall of Fame induction; advice for young pitchers; and John’s Life Tip.
Oh for sure, but any insinuation from a Braves fan that Heyward should still be a Barve is utterly ridiculous at this point imo.
Ender's really brought up his slash line and he's now a 2.5 WAR player. I think we need to start discussing the possibility of shopping Mallex. With Kemp now in the fold and Peterson emerging in AA, I don't see any way we keep both of them.
Ender has gotta be the hottest hitter in the league for the month of August. Guy has been killing it.
Guy hit 10HR in 71 games in AAA this year, comes up to the Yanks and has 11HR in 21 games. Totally makes sense.
Arizona Fall League: Akeel Morris (RHP), Evan Phillips (RHP), Bradley Roney (RHP), Kade Scivicque (C), Ozzie Albies (2B), Travis Demerrite (INF), Dustin Peterson (OF)
From BA: THE STARS: 2B Ozzie Albies (Braves) is expected to be Atlanta’s Opening Day starter at second in 2017, so this should be a final tune-up for the speedy middle infielder. . . . 3B Ryan McMahon endured a very inconsistent season on the road with the nomadic Double-A Hartford Yard Goats. He’ll try to get to his power more regularly once he can settle down in Phoenix for six weeks. . . . OF Christin Stewart (Tigers) is a true three-outcomes hitter. He has plenty of home runs, plenty of walks and a lot of strikeouts as well. The 22-year-old has struggled after his promotion to Double-A Erie, so the AFL should be a good test. INTERESTING: OF Dustin Peterson (Braves) did a very good job of catching scouts eyes with a very productive season split with Double-A Mississippi. Peterson eventually will have to turn some of his numerous doubles into home runs, but as an impressively pure hitter, his biggest focus in Arizona may be continued refinement of his defense. . . . 2B Travis Demeritte (Braves) has some defensive versatility and plenty of power, but he needs to make more consistent contact. Jean Segura had a great season for the Diamondbacks, but SS Isan Diaz (Brewers) is a valuable pickup for Milwaukee from that same Jan. 2016 trade. Diaz hit 20 home runs in the Midwest League this year as a shortstop. . . . Playing for Double-A Biloxi, C Jacob Nottingham (Brewers) didn’t come close to matching his 2015 season, but he is still a useful catching prospect. Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/arizona-fall-league-rosters/#LfLykAbXE7XiRTxe.99
Also, those guys will be playing about 25 minutes from my house. I'll try to get out there for a few games.
Yeah, it's a close race. The losing streak they're on, hopefully, will turn. I've already set myself up to be disappointed when Adell isn't our pick 10 months from now.
Salt River Rafters (ARI, ATL, COL, DET, MIL) There’s big power all throughout the Rafters’ roster. Brewers C Jacob Nottinghamhas rare power for a catcher, while Braves 2B Travis Demeritte (report) and Brewers 2B Isan Diaz have rare power for middle infielders — and DET OF Christin Stewart has rare power for a human being. Diamondbacks prospects Dawel Lugo and Kevin Cron, Rockies prospect Ryan McMahon, Brewers OF Brett Phillips and Dustin Peterson of the Braves all have 55 or better raw power. I advise Fall League patrons who attend games at Salt River Fields to be alert should they be seated on the outfield berm. All of this glosses over Braves SS Ozzie Albies, who is the best prospect on the team and the youngest player in the entire league at just 19. Sleeper: Braves righty Evan Phillips, who has been into the upper 90s with an upper-80s slider.
Marshall: Ronald Acuna is back from his hand injury and is already showing signs of greatness again. Will he be a fast riser on prospect lists next season? Klaw: I’m a big fan. Marty: Austin Riley is raking again- has 17 home runs the second half. What are your thoughts on him Klaw: I’m not a big fan. Tim: Hey Keith, thanks for the chat! Seems like Christian Pache is handling Danville pretty well. Thoughts on his future ceiling? Klaw: I think he’s a potential star, but beware of these tiny samples – he’s hitting far better in Danville than he did in the GCL and that should make you at least question how indicative either stat line is of his true talent.
Gary: Jed Bradley called up to Atlanta after they got him for basically nothing from Milwaukee earlier this year. I know he’s a former first rounder, and his numbers in the Atlanta system have actually been good so far. Any optimism here long term? Klaw: He’s regained his college velocity again and I think could be a swingman for Atlanta, maybe a 5th starter, more likely a little less. Not bad for, as you said, a guy acquired for nothing. Steve: Higher ceiling, Soroka or Allard? Soroka has been absolutely dealing. Klaw: Allard. Good results, especially for pitchers in the low minors, are nice but not as strongly predictive as you might believe (or as they are for bats).
Simmons returns with a 1-2-3 inning. That's got to feel amazing for a guy who has been out as long as he has.
Draft position aside, nice sweep of the Padres. The offense has been up over a run per game since Kemp came on board, and the offense actually looks adequate of late. With Wisler showing renewed promise, Folty and Teheran, the rotation has some pieces to work with too, as does the bullpen. Just need to upgrade catcher and maybe third base, and maybe we can start competing with the better teams again.
I heard on the radio this morning they already have him working with a nutritionist and trainer and he expects to be down 30 pounds by the start of next season. They also said Kemp owned his weight gain and is fully on board, so we'll see. Apparently he was pretty miserable in San Diego and didn't really give a shit, but has some renewed dedication now that he's in Atlanta. His OPS is still meh since he's been here but he has provided some nice depth and protection to the lineup.
right, and making about 20 million a season on top of that. I think the owner there has been a real prick, but I'd gladly have switched with him.
I like our lineup sans catcher and 3b for next year, though Adonis is growing on me. We need Julio to take that next step
I've been wondering what the plan with Adonis is. I don't see how he's not our everyday 3b next year after what he's done. I'm a fan
4. Mike Soroka, rhp, Braves Team: low Class A Rome (South Atlantic) Age: 19 Why He’s Here: 1-0, 1.29, 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 9 SO Part of arguably the most prospect-laden rotation in the minors, Soroka has been Rome’s steadiest performer. Of Soroka’s 25 outings, he has failed to make it through five innings just twice. Despite a pitch limit that usually hovers around 90, Soroka finished the seventh inning in six of his starts (and three of his final four) because he is so pitch efficient. His stuff is well suited for a mid-rotation role, and his feel and command may let his stuff play up even more than that. (JJC)