HoF [REDACTED] v2.0: FUCK...We suck again!

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by One Man Wolfpack, Jul 2, 2016.

  1. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
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    That makes sense. Wondered how he snuck on there, not like his minor league numbers are very impressive.
     
  2. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
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    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    We're on MLB Network at the moment, if you want to watch Aaron Blair get hit around yet again.
     
    #2352 SC, Mar 14, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2017
  3. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
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    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    Fangraphs Top-100.

    4. Dansby Swanson, SS, Atlanta Braves
    Video
    Drafted: 1st Round, 2015 from Vanderbilt
    Age 23 Height 6’1 Weight 190 Bat/Throw R/R
    Tool Grades (Present/Future)
    Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
    50/55 50/50 40/45 60/60 55/60 60/60
    Scouting Summary
    A polished and underrated defender, Swanson’s contact/power profile is modest in a vacuum but is very favorable at shortstop. His plate discipline vaults his overall value skyward.

    11. Ozzie Albies, 2B, Atlanta Braves
    Video
    Signed: July 2nd Period, 2013 from Curacao
    Age 20 Height 5’9 Weight 150 Bat/Throw S/R
    Tool Grades (Present/Future)
    Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
    45/70 40/40 20/30 70/70 50/60 55/55
    Scouting Summary
    A wholly unique entity and one of minor-league baseball’s most entertaining prospects, Albies epitomizes the concept of “twitch,” and that characteristic pervades his entire style of play. He may lack the in-game pop we’re beginning to see from second basemen in the majors, but his combination of speed and bat-to-ball ability should provide favorable offensive output for second base. He’s a potential plus defender there because he’s taking shortstop range, actions and athleticism with him to the other side of the bag.

    35. Ronald Acuna, CF, Atlanta Braves
    Video
    Signed: July 2nd Period, 2014 from Venezuela
    Age 19 Height 6’0 Weight 180 Bat/Throw R/R
    Tool Grades (Present/Future)
    Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
    30/60 55/60 30/55 60/55 45/55 55/55
    Scouting Summary
    Acuna has the straight-line speed to stick in center field for a while and should eventually have the hit/power combination worthy of a corner spot should he one day need to move. He was the best outfield prospect I saw during my Florida tour last fall. (I didn’t see Robles.)

    41. Kolby Allard, LHP, Atlanta Braves
    Video
    Drafted: 1st Round, 2015 from San Clemente HS (CA)
    Age 19 Height 6’1 Weight 175 Bat/Throw L/L
    Tool Grades (Present/Future)
    Fastball Curveball Changeup Command
    50/55 55/60 40/55 45/60
    Scouting Summary
    I thought Allard merited consideration near the top of the 2015 draft before a stress reaction in his back ended his senior year. He was nails on the summer-showcase circuit, flashing mid-90s velocity, a plus curveball and some changeup feel, all wrapped in an athletic, repeatable delivery. He has, more or less, tracked as exactly that guy, making 11 starts in full -ason ball at age 18 last year and largely having success.

    48. Kevin Maitan, 3B, Atlanta Braves
    Video
    Signed: July 2nd Period, 2016 from Venezuela
    Age 17 Height 6’2 Weight 190 Bat/Throw S/R
    Tool Grades (Present/Future)
    Hit Raw Power Game Power Run Fielding Throw
    30/60 55/60 20/55 50/40 40/55 60/60
    Scouting Summary
    Though Maitan is likely to move to third base as his body matures (a process that appeared to have begun already when I saw him in the fall), he might hit for average and power from both sides of the plate. He’s the youngest player on this list, having just turned 17 a few weeks ago.

    54. Ian Anderson, RHP, Atlanta Braves

    Drafted: 1st Round, 2016 from Shenendowa HS (NY)
    Age 19 Height 6’3 Weight 170 Bat/Throw R/R
    Tool Grades (Present/Future)
    Fastball Curveball Changeup Command
    55/60 50/60 40/50 35/50
    Scouting Summary
    The platonic ideal of a power prep righty, Anderson has a tailing mid-90s fastball, precocious curveball feel and enough athleticism to generate optimism about his chances of developing good control. He’s also a relatively fresh, northeastern arm who never needed a changeup in high school but showed some feel for it during showcases.

    62. Max Fried, LHP, Atlanta Braves

    Drafted: 1st Round, 2012 from Harvard Westlake (CA)
    Age 23 Height 6’4 Weight 170 Bat/Throw L/L
    Tool Grades (Present/Future)
    Fastball Curveball Changeup Command
    60/60 60/60 50/55 45/50
    Scouting Summary
    Fried’s early pro career was slowed by Tommy John, but if you buy that his late-season performance in 2016 is indicative of the pitcher he’s going to be moving forward, then he’s probably too low on this list. He was mid- to upper 90s and flashing a 70 curveball late in the year, with a changeup that was plus on movement but easy to ID out of his hand.

    70. Luiz Gohara, LHP, Atlanta Braves
    Video
    Signed: July 2nd Period, 2012 from Brazil
    Age 20 Height 0’0 Weight 0 Bat/Throw L/L
    Tool Grades (Present/Future)
    Fastball Slider Changeup Command
    60/60 55/60 40/45 45/55
    Scouting Summary
    Jettisoned from Seattle as part of their winter purge of players with off-field issues, Gohara is one of the more talented left-handed pitching prospects in baseball, with a mid- to upper-90s fastball and late-breaking plus slider. He’s also flashed command of the fastball, especially to his glove side, and keeps his slider down consistently. He’ll be, at worst, an inning-eating ground-ball machine if he can keep his body in check.

    93. Mike Soroka, RHP, Atlanta Braves
    Video
    Drafted: 1st Round, 2015 from Bishop Carroll HS (Calgary, AB)
    Age 19 Height 6’4 Weight 195 Bat/Throw R/R
    Tool Grades (Present/Future)
    Fastball Slider Changeup Command
    55/55 50/55 40/45 40/55
    Scouting Summary
    Though he doesn’t project to miss as many bats as most of the other arms on this list, Soroka is a big-bodied sinker/slider horse with high-end makeup and advanced pitchability for a Canadian prep product with just one full pros season under his belt.

    Other prospects in consideration:
    Joey Wentz, LHP, Atlanta Braves
    Sean Newcomb, LHP, Atlanta Braves
    Christian Pache, OF, Atlanta Braves (Pache was my last cut among bats)
     
  4. Joshuam2107

    Joshuam2107 SUH DUDE
    Donor

    :smugchop:

    :tebow:...
     
  5. bcuga

    bcuga Administrator
    Staff Donor TMB OG
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta HawksAtlanta Falcons

    Folty with a very nice outing today.

    ..also, it is good to see Paco Rodriguez settling in
     
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  6. Sterling A

    Sterling A Well-Known Member

    Greg: What kind of season to you see Dansby Swanson putting together as a rookie?

    Dave Cameron: .275/.350/.425, 15/15 with plus but not elite D and four wins is not out of the question.
     
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  7. Merica

    Merica Devine pls stop pointing out my demise. :(
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    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesPittsburgh Steelers

  8. Keef

    Keef Liked by Pierre Gasly
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    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta UnitedMilanUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamFormula 1

  9. Stone Cold Steve Austin

    Stone Cold Steve Austin Tickler Extraordinaire
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    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta Braves

    Albies fouled a pitch off his knee/leg and exited the game.
     
  10. Keef

    Keef Liked by Pierre Gasly
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    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta BravesAtlanta UnitedMilanUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamFormula 1

    Snitker said it was the equivalent of it hitting his funny bone in his knee and that he's fine.
     
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  11. Stone Cold Steve Austin

    Stone Cold Steve Austin Tickler Extraordinaire
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    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta Braves

    Roll tide
     
  12. Hobnailed Boot

    Hobnailed Boot Well-Known Member
    TMB OG

    New park seems no better than the Ted but <10 minutes from my house :feelsgoodman:

    Our lineup has potential if Kemp has the type of year I expect out of him a lot of good hitters...

    Of course our rotation is garbage compared to contending teams but should be a really competitive and fun team to watch with good manager...

    Following development of Albies, Acuna, Maitan, Riley, and the pitching prospects will be great too hopeful on Fried and Newcomb...
     
  13. It'sAlwaysSunnyInAthens

    It'sAlwaysSunnyInAthens Well-Known Member
    Donor

    A lot of landscaping work is being done around SunTrust Park — and not all of it is outside the stadium.

    ADVERTISING
    Inside the ballpark, in the “batter’s eye” area just beyond the center-field wall, three evergreen trees – green giant arborvitae, I’m told – have been planted. The area also includes boulders and a waterfall/water feature.

    [​IMG]
    ADVERTISER CONTENT: Discover The Palm Beaches

    8 delicious foods you need to discover in Florida
    The Braves took inspiration from a similar setup in the same area of the Colorado Rockies’ Coors Field, Braves Chairman and CEO Terry McGuirk said as he looked toward the space from a deck off his SunTrust Park office this week.

    He said the Braves borrowed and adapted favorite elements from many MLB stadiums for their new ballpark and particularly liked that feature of Coors Field.

    MLB teams have put increased focus on designing around and in front of the “batter’s eye”, which is the dark, solid-colored center-field background that helps batters see pitches.

    (In the works: a full story that will appear before the Braves’ home opener on the various aspects of SunTrust Park’s playing field — the outfield dimensions, wall heights, foul territory, protective netting, batter’s eye, etc. Stay tuned.)



    SunTrust Park built with environment in mind
    The sustainable stadium will be using less water and energy compared to other ball parks, including Turner Field, and is one of few parks in the U.S. to be LED certified.

    The sustainable stadium will be using less water and energy compared to other ball parks, including Turner Field, and is one of few parks in the U.S. to be LED certified. www.accessatlanta.com
    Recent stories on SunTrust Park:























    * * *

    Falcons President and CEO Rich McKay has received a five-year contract extension that runs through June 2022.

    “He has been instrumental in the success of the Atlanta Falcons on and off the field and has played a very important role in making Mercedes-Benz Stadium a reality and in bringing Major League Soccer to Atlanta,” Steve Cannon, CEO of Falcons parent company AMB Group, said.

    McKay joined the Falcons as president and general manager in 2004 and moved into his current position with the team in 2011.

    * * *

    Sports Illustrated’s MLS power rankings have Atlanta United in a position you wouldn’t expect to find any first-year expansion team: No. 3 out of the league’s 22 teams.

    MLS Power Poll: Round 3

    “The primary question facing Atlanta now is simple: can it keep this up, and can it do it against the league’s top teams?” Alexander Abnos writes. “It’s hard to think of another MLS expansion club that’s entered the league with so much momentum.”

    RELATED
     
  14. Sterling A

    Sterling A Well-Known Member

    damn fangraphs really hates matt kemp this year (29th out of 30 left fielders)


    29. Braves

    Name PA AVG OBP SLG wOBA Bat BsR Fld WAR
    Matt Kemp 630 .266 .315 .455 .326 1.2 -0.8 -13.1 0.1
    Emilio Bonifacio 35 .247 .296 .315 .270 -1.5 0.1 -0.3 -0.1
    Jace Peterson 28 .243 .325 .348 .297 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.0
    Mel Rojas Jr. 7 .227 .287 .354 .278 -0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0

    Total 700 .263 .314 .443 .322 -1.2 -0.7 -13.5 -0.1

    “But Kemp hit really well last year!” You’re saying it. I know you’re saying it. He hit 35 homers! Sorry, a .304 OBP is still a .304 OBP. Kemp wasn’t really any better last season than he was the season before that, when his homer total was a more pedestrian 23. And the move to the other outfield corner did little to stanch the flow of runs he permitted. But unlike Werth, Kemp still has two more seasons on his contract after 2017. Good luck with that, Braves fans. I’d say at least you can dream on a prospect coming up, but the best the Braves have to offer in left field this season is Rojas. And while Rojas did log a 139 wRC+ in half a season of Triple-A ball last year, he did it as a 26-year-old, so something tells me not too many Braves fans are going to be excited about him potentially grabbing some playing time. At least that new ballpark in the suburbs that they landed in the shadiest way possible will be sweet, right? Right?



    Dansby

    15. Braves
    Name PA AVG OBP SLG wOBA Bat BsR Fld WAR
    Dansby Swanson 630 .256 .322 .399 .310 -7.2 0.5 1.7 2.2
    Chase d’Arnaud 49 .236 .287 .333 .272 -2.1 0.0 -0.2 0.0
    Johan Camargo 21 .238 .274 .332 .264 -1.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

    Total 700 .254 .318 .392 .306 -10.4 0.5 1.5 2.2

    We’re in the middle of the pack, and we’re just now getting to Dansby Swanson, 2015’s first overall draft pick, a guy who hit .302 as a 22-year-old big-league rookie. Yeah, there are a lot of talented shortstops. I’m actively writing this right now, and I’ve thought about this whole crop of shortstops before, but this is still blowing my mind. 15th place. Dansby Swanson!

    The good news here is that Swanson made such a successful debut, in his month-plus. He hit just one single infield pop-up, and he only infrequently chased out of the zone. Consensus seems to be that Swanson’s upside is fairly limited, as he doesn’t have game-breaking power or defense. Yet, for one thing, he’s at least something like average across the board. That raises his floor, so to speak. And for another thing, Swanson has simply not been a professional for very long. His performance record is short, so, who are we to say where his career might go? For now, he should already be considered a core piece of the present and future. The Braves wouldn’t be hopeless without Dave Stewart, but they would have a lot less hope.


    Freddie

    5. Braves
    Name PA AVG OBP SLG wOBA Bat BsR Fld WAR
    Freddie Freeman 665 .278 .380 .495 .370 25.4 -0.1 3.1 3.8
    Rio Ruiz 35 .236 .308 .364 .294 -0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0
    Total 700 .276 .376 .488 .366 24.5 -0.2 3.0 3.8

    Perhaps the most interesting thing about Freddie Freeman right now is that his power spiked last year at 27 years old. Could it be a peak-year thing, timed well to align with the power spike across baseball? Sure. But if you look at his launch angles and exit velocities, he “deserved” even better. And a move to a home park that might play a little more generously to hitters may cover up some regression. Cosmetically, at least. If the power holds, the Braves have their Rizzo.

    Unfortunately, the Braves don’t have the rest of the Cubs’ young positional squad. If Freeman goes down, there isn’t a great solution behind him. Rio Ruiz might get a shot, but he probably doesn’t have the power specifically or the bat generally for the position.



    Phillips

    26. Braves
    Name PA AVG OBP SLG wOBA Bat BsR Fld WAR
    Brandon Phillips 546 .275 .309 .379 .298 -11.8 -1.1 2.0 0.9
    Jace Peterson 70 .243 .325 .348 .297 -1.6 -0.1 -0.2 0.1
    Ozzie Albies 70 .254 .310 .366 .294 -1.7 0.0 0.3 0.1
    Chase d’Arnaud 14 .236 .287 .333 .272 -0.6 0.0 -0.1 0.0
    Total 700 .269 .311 .374 .297 -15.7 -1.1 2.0 1.0

    Now we get to Brandon Phillips. The former Red, once traded for Bartolo Colon, has had a pretty good career. Phillips turns 36 this year, though, and hasn’t produced an above-average offensive season since 2012. Also, his once excellent defense is likely slipping with age. If his offense doesn’t erode anymore, and his defense is still sufficient, he just might turn in an average season in the Atlanta suburbs.

    The Braves were 28th in these rankings last year, with Jace Peterson projected as the primary second baseman. Peterson is still around, but not expected to contribute much beyond a utility role. If Braves fans can wait just one more year, Ozzie Albies might help them move up the rankings for 2018.


    Adonis
    30. Braves
    Name PA AVG OBP SLG wOBA Bat BsR Fld WAR
    Adonis Garcia [​IMG] 595 .267 .301 .402 .301 -11.0 -1.0 -5.0 0.4
    Rio Ruiz 70 .236 .308 .364 .294 -1.7 -0.1 0.0 0.1
    Chase d’Arnaud 35 .236 .287 .333 .272 -1.5 0.0 -0.1 0.0
    Total 700 .262 .301 .395 .299 -14.3 -1.0 -5.2 0.4

    Adonis Garcia is a relic of a bygone age, a 32-year old in his third season of big league play who can hit for average and launch some home runs, but doesn’t walk much and isn’t an asset on defense. Maybe ten or fifteen years ago, Garcia would have been viewed as a much more valuable asset. Now, he’s an afterthought. He’s precisely the sort of older player you’d expect to find on a team like the Braves that’s not quite ready just yet to contend.

    Rio Ruiz is an interesting prospect if nothing else, but not one who should be expected to make any major impact in the big leagues this year. Still just 22, he should have plenty of time to refine things at Triple-A Gwinnett, where the Braves hope he’ll find some power.


    Flowers/Suzuki

    28. Braves
    Name PA AVG OBP SLG wOBA Bat BsR Fld WAR
    Tyler Flowers 288 .240 .306 .382 .300 -5.7 -0.9 -2.6 0.6
    Kurt Suzuki 256 .254 .307 .361 .291 -6.9 -0.6 -2.0 0.4
    Anthony Recker 96 .213 .299 .368 .292 -2.5 0.0 -1.1 0.1
    Total 640 .242 .305 .372 .295 -15.2 -1.5 -5.7 1.1

    Tyler Flowers returns as the Braves’ starting catcher in the second year of a two-year deal, though his contract includes a $4 million club option for 2018. For the first time in his career last season, Flowers produced a wRC+ north of 94 with (a 110 mark), production fueled by his .149 isolated power. He rated as one of the game’s best framers according to StatsCorner and Baseball Prospectus. Kurt Suzuki is also around and will see time but he’s a poor framer and has thrown out fewer than 20% of baserunners in each of the last two seasons. The Braves selected Brett Cumberland in the second round of the draft and he ranks as their top catching prospect — 19th overall in the system — but the system is thin at the position. The club will soon need to identify a longer-term solution at the position.
     
  15. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
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  16. Jake Scott

    Jake Scott Well-Known Member
    Staff Donor
    Jacksonville Jaguars

  17. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
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    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

  18. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
    Donor TMB OG
    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    Surely we can use some of the payroll to buy competent announcers. Jesus christ.

     
  19. Hewwow

    Hewwow Well-Known Member

  20. bstaple12

    bstaple12 Nole World Order
    Atlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsFlorida State Seminoles

    So we can bring a gallon sized bag of food into the stadium....pb&js for days
     
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  21. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
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    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    INTERNATIONAL REVIEWS: ATLANTA BRAVES


    March 28, 2017 By Ben Badler


    Top signing: SS Kevin Maitan, Venezuela, $4.25 million.

    Total signings: 33.

    Between signing bonuses and their upcoming overage tax payment, the Braves have invested nearly $27 million to sign international prospects during the 206-17 signing period. The crown jewel of the international signing class was shortstop Kevin Maitan, who on July 2 signed with the Braves for $4.25 million, setting a Venezuelan bonus record. Maitan, 17, was the top prospect in the 2016 class and already ranks as the No. 77 prospect in baseball, making him the first July 2 prospect to rank in the BA Top 100 since Miguel Sano. Maitan was the best 16-year-old prospect since Sano signed with the Twins in 2009 and some scouts felt he was the best Venezuelan amateur position prospect since Miguel Cabrera signed with the Marlins in 1999. Maitan has an outstanding combination of size, athleticism, tools, game skills and hitting ability with a chance to stay at a premium position.

    Maitan has enormous offensive upside, showing the ability to perform well against live pitching from both sides of the plate. He recognizes pitches, understands the strike zone, has excellent bat speed and is able to generate easy elevation to show plus raw power that could turn into 70 power in the future. That power comes with strikeouts, but it’s manageable swing-and-miss that comes with his swing path. At his peak, he could hit in the middle of a lineup with high OBPs and 30-homer power.

    The biggest change for Maitan over the past year has been his physical development. He’s packed on at least 30 pounds to become 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, with the extra strength helping the consistency of his throws and the repeatability of his swing to help him control the barrel better. It has cost him some speed, as expected, going from a plus runner underway to an average runner now, but he still has the athleticism and internal clock to play shortstop for now. Whether Maitan stays at shortstop was the biggest split among scouts, but there’s a coin flip chance he can stay there depending how much bigger he gets and how much agility he retains. His arm is a 60-65 tool, he has excellent hands, his feet work well and he has good body control in the field. Maitan has a chance to stay at shortstop and be an average defender, though if he has to slide over to third base, he could be a plus defender there with plenty of offensive impact for the position. Maitan will make his pro debut at one of the U.S. Rookie-level affiliates, either in the Gulf Coast League or the Appalachian League.

    The Braves signed 17-year-old Abrahan Gutierrez out of Venezuela on July 2 for $3.53 million, a record for an international amateur catcher. While Maitan was widely regarded as the No. 1 prospect in the class, the Braves were significantly higher on Gutierrez relative to the rest of the industry. Gutierrez, who trained with Carlos Guillen, stood out physically from an early age. As an 11-year-old he was Venezuela’s catcher at the 12U World Championship in Taiwan, then in 2014 he caught for the 15U World Cup team in Mexico.

    Gutierrez doesn’t have any plus tools, but he’s a good bet to stick behind the plate as long as he maintains his conditioning and agility within a heavy 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame. His ample catching experience for his age is evident in the way he receives, blocks, handles a pitching staff, calls a game and has a high overall baseball IQ. His arm strength is a 50-55 but it plays up because of his footwork, quick release and accuracy. Offensively, Gutierrez is a solid righthanded hitter with a power-over-hit profile. It’s not plus power yet, but it could be in the future, with the ability to pull balls over the fence now in batting practice. Right now he’s mostly works gap to gap, with some length and stiffness to his righthanded swing. He should be ticketed for the GCL this summer.

    Yunior Severino, a Dominican shortstop who trained with Rudy Santin, signed with the Braves for $1.9 million on July 2. Severino, 17, is 6-foot-1, 180 pounds with a chance to hit for big power from both sides of the plate and a position still to be determined. He has strong hands, quick wrists and outstanding bat speed to whip the barrel through the hitting zone. Severino starts his swing with a leg kick and has a lot of movement in a stroke built for power. He drives the ball with authority from both sides, getting more natural loft from the left side. With his bat speed, current power and room to fill out his lean frame, Severino could have 70 future power. It’s loud contact when Severino has all those moving parts in his swing synced up, but it can also create timing issues for him that have led to some inconsistency against live pitching.

    Severino might start out at shortstop, but his future is probably somewhere else, due in part to his awkward infield actions. A fringe-average runner, Severino has a good arm with an easy release, his hands are sound and he plays under control, but he will need to improve his footwork to stay in the infield. The Braves have Severino at shortstop for now, but they have also given his a lot of repetitions at third base and have introduced him to the outfield as well. Some scouts from other clubs thought second base could be another option for Severino, but for now third base looks like his best-case option. He’s expected to make his pro debut in the GCL.

    The Braves on July 2 signed Dominican righthander Juan Contreras for $1.2 million, which aside from the older Cuban signings was the biggest bonus for an international pitching prospect last year. That doesn’t mean Contreras was viewed within the industry as the top pitcher on the market, but he is a hard thrower already and should have even more in the tank. Contreras, 17, is 6-foot-2, 180 pounds with a fastball that parks at 89-94 mph and has topped out at 96 with good downhill plane. Between his arm speed, clean throwing stroke and physical projection, he should be reaching the upper-90s soon. Contreras, who trained with Luis Mejia, is still more thrower than pitcher. The Braves saw better strike-throwing ability than other teams did, but he will have to show better pitchability and secondary stuff (his slider is better than his changeup right now) to remain a starter. He might start in the Dominican Summer League but could jump to the GCL at some point this year.

    Yenci Pena is a Dominican shortstop the Braves signed for $1.05 million when he turned 16 on July 13. Pena trained with Victor Baez and generated a wide range of reports from scouts, both in terms of how much they liked him and even what type of skill set he had. The Braves saw a player who continued to get better throughout the entire process leading up to his signing. Scouts from other clubs were split on whether Pena would fit best at shortstop, third base or a corner outfield spot, but the Braves viewed Pena as a true shortstop who could field his position well with soft hands, a good internal clock and arm strength that improved to plus as he got stronger and was able to smooth out a funky throwing stroke. He’s wiry strong at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds with a quick, sound stroke from the right side. Pena puts together quality at-bats with good contact frequency and a line-drive approach with gap power that could grow into average power once he adds weight to his frame. He’s likely to start his career at one of the Braves’ Rookie-level affiliates in the U.S.

    Venezuelan shortstop Livan Soto, who the Braves signed for $1 million on July 2, is a smooth, graceful defender and an extremely smart, savvy player in all aspects of the game. Still 16, Soto is extremely thin (5-foot-11, 160 pounds) and light on his feet at shortstop. He’s an instinctual defender with a great internal clock, positioning himself well, taking good angles to the ball and picking it with soft hands. He stays through the ball when he throws, which for someone his size allows his arm to play as plus. While a lot of talented young shortstops try to do too much, Soto plays under control, knows when to hold on to the ball and is accurate when he does throw. He’s an average runner with good anticipation and instincts on the basepaths. Getting stronger will be imperative for Soto and might take some time, but his bat control and plate discipline are assets at the plate. He steps in the bucket at times but has a simple, quiet approach without too many moving parts, making a lot of contact with a short, repeatable swing. Soto tracks and recognizes pitches well, usually staying within the strike zone. He’s mostly a singles hitter right now with occasional doubles pop, with power likely never to be part of his game. Soto, who trained with Yasser Mendez, is expected to make his pro debut at one of the Braves’ Rookie-level affiliates in the U.S. as well.

    The seventh player the Braves gave a seven-figure bonus last year, Yefri del Rosario, signed for $1 million in July. Several teams considered del Rosario, a 17-year-old Dominican righthander, one of the premium pitching prospects in the 2016 signing class. He’s around 6 feet, 170 pounds with two pitches that stand out right now in his fastball and curveball. He sits 89-92 mph and touches 94 with a fastball that solid sink and tail. Given his excellent arm speed, he could throw harder once his legs get stronger. Del Rosario is able to finish hitters with a breaking ball that flashes plus, a swing-and-miss out pitch with sharp, late break and two-plane depth. It was one of the best breaking pitches in the class and a pitch he’s not afraid to throw in any count. He hasn’t needed to use his changeup much, so that’s his third pitch, but he’s shown early signs of having feel for that pitch. Del Rosario has a starter’s repertoire, though there is some reliever risk in part because of his mechanics. His stabbing arm action has a hook on the back side and he throws across his body with some effort to his delivery, though he does a good job of getting himself reconnected to get back on line to the plate and direct the fastball to his glove side. The Braves liked Rosario’s ability to throw his fastball for strikes, though there was some concern among other clubs about inconsistent strike-throwing, which could stem from his delivery. If he’s able to repeat his mechanics and command his fastball, he has the repertoire to start. Del Rosario trained with Carlos Guzman and pitched a lot leading up to July 2, so the Braves have taken things slowly with him and most likely will have him open in the DSL, though his talent could push him to the GCL by the end of the year.

    Among the next tier of signings in the Braves class, Colombian righthander Guillermo Zuniga got $350,000 on July 2. He’s 18 and was able to pitch immediately out of the DSL Braves’ bullpen last year. Zuniga was originally an outfielder but his arm was better than his bat, so he moved to the mound and saw his stock rise. Signed at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds touching 93, he’s grown an inch or two since then and has seen his fastball climb as well, topping out at 96 with natural cut and sink. He’s been a sponge around Braves coaches and has taken to pitching instruction quickly, already flashing a swing-and-miss changeup. That pitch is ahead of his curveball, which has hard bite but is understandably still inconsistent given his inexperience.

    Antonio Sucre, a 17-year-old, stocky corner outfielder, signed with the Braves for $300,000 on July 2. He’s a 5-foot-11, 185-pound left fielder who stood out most for his offensive upside. He has a compact, mechanically sound swing from the right side of the plate, with the strength for average power. Sucre trained with Rafael Moncada.

    Dominican left fielder Jeffrey Ramos is an 18-year-old who signed for $250,000 on July 2 after training with Chiqui Mejia. Ramos had previously been eligible to sign in 2015, so he played right away in the DSL and batted .230/.283/.333 in 138 plate appearances. At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Ramos’ main tool is his power from the right side. The power didn’t translate in games last year because of Ramos’ free-swinging approach that resulted in him waving through too many pitches outside the strike zone, so developing a better plan and improving his pitch recognition will be key to tap into that power more in games.

    Charles Reyes, a 17-year-old Dominican center field, signed for $250,000 in September. At 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, Reyes drew the Braves’ attention for his intriguing power/speed potential. He’s a plus runner with an average arm that should allow him to stay in center field. He doesn’t have quite as much power as Ramos right now, but he has a more natural stroke from the left side with the ability to drop the bat head and drive pitches down in the strike zone.

    Braulio Vasquez signed with the Braves for $100,000 on July 2, and since he was eligible to sign in 2015, he was able to jump straight into DSL action. A 17-year-old Dominican middle infielder, Vasquez quickly showed his hitting polish by batting .333/.416/.374 in 113 plate appearances. He’s a plus runner with good rhythm and bat path from the right side of the plate, leading to a lot of contact. Vasquez doesn’t lift the ball much and didn’t show much extra-base power during the season, but he’s grown an inch and added 20 pounds since signing to 6-foot-1, 190 pounds. Vasquez split time between shortstop and second base last year. He has a strong arm and good infield actions, but Vasquez feels more comfortable at second base, which is probably where he will play going forward.

    Dominican lefthander Lisandro Santos, 18, signed for $130,000 on July 2, then pitched in four games out of the DSL Braves’ bullpen. He’s 6-foot-1, 170 pounds with an upper-80s fastball and a breaking ball that’s his best pitch right now. Andres Adrianza, 17, signed for $100,000 on July 2 out of Venezuela. At 6 feet, 190 pounds, Adrianza is an offensive-minded player with a righthanded power stroke to right-center field. He has played catcher and first base with a high probability of moving to first base full time. He trained with Carlos Rios.

    The Braves did sign three Cuban players last year too, none of whom were high profile players. One was 29-year-old reliever Carlos Portuondo, who signed for $990,000 in February on a minor league deal exempt from the bonus pools, split time between high Class A and Triple-A last year, then was traded to the Reds with lefthander Andrew McKirahan for Brandon Phillips this year in February. In November, the Braves signed 26-year-old Cuban righthander Elian Leyva for $810,000 on a minor league deal exempt from the pools. Leyva struggled as a reliever with Mayabeque in Serie Nacional, with a mid-to-high 80s fastball that has hit 90 mph, with a slider, curveball and changeup that he mixes in liberally. To get him innings, the Braves put Leyva on loan to Tijuana of the Mexican League, so he will pitch for the Toros in 2017. In December, Alay Lago signed with the Braves for $175,000. Lago, 25, never did much to stand out while in Cuba, then in 2016 played for Veracruz in the Mexican League, where he hit .255/.282/.349 in 113 plate appearances with there walks and 19 strikeouts. The Braves liked Lago’s athleticism and gap power form the right side in his 6-foot, 200-pound frame, with Lago likely to play second base or center field.
     
  22. Hewwow

    Hewwow Well-Known Member

    Much appreciated as always, SC.
     
    SC and ashy larry like this.
  23. Gaknight

    Gaknight Well-Known Member
    Donor TMB OG
    UCF KnightsAtlanta HawksAtlanta FalconsAtlanta United

    So Maitan got fat?
     
  24. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
    Donor TMB OG
    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    He's definitely not fat. Just what happens when those kids come over. Sano, Miggy, etc did the same thing.

    [​IMG]
     
  25. Jake Scott

    Jake Scott Well-Known Member
    Staff Donor
    Jacksonville Jaguars

    All the shortstops...
     
  26. Sterling A

    Sterling A Well-Known Member

    infield of Freddie, Ozzie, Dansby, and Maitan in a few years :ohgosh:
     
    Reggie Washington likes this.
  27. It'sAlwaysSunnyInAthens

    It'sAlwaysSunnyInAthens Well-Known Member
    Donor

    Where's Machado going to play?
     
  28. Sterling A

    Sterling A Well-Known Member

    new york





    probably the opening day lineup? (besides folty)

    [​IMG]
     
  29. Silky Johnson

    Silky Johnson Player Hater of the Year
    Florida GatorsAtlanta BravesNew York JetsTennis

    Atlanta Braves

    • Emilio Bonfiacio did a nice job and won an outfield job, though they could still look around a bit.
    • The Cubs’ Matt Szczur has been on their radar.
    • Some scouts are calling third baseman Rio Ruiz the “most improved” player they’ve seen this spring.
    • Some anecdotes from Chipper Jones’ book to be released on April 4 leaked, detailing his one and only meeting with Scott Boras. Here, Boras disputes Chipper’s side to the story.
    • The Braves made the right choice to give Brian Snitker the reins again. He did a great job helping the team recover from its abysmal start. I could hardly believe it when he told me he’s been in the organization 41 years. Nice to see loyalty rewarded (but he does have some pressure with a one year guarantee, plus an option).
    • Max Fried seems to have moved up on their long pitching prospect list.
    • Kevin Maitan is a huge prospect and could make it to the majors as a teenager. So might Ronald Acuna, a prodigy who’s expected to start at high A. Acuna was signed for $100,000. Hat tip to the scout Rolando Petit.
    • Matt Kemp has lost considerable weight from last year. He made a big impact on offense for the Braves even while heavy, and a club official, saying they were OK with him then, borrowed a line from “Moneyball” when he said, “We aren’t trying to sell jeans here.”
    • Jaime Garcia has impressed this spring. So has Mike Foltynewicz.
    • The Braves have added more good young players than anyone over the last two years. Some sites had them go from worst to first for prospect list.
    • The Braves showed interest in Jose Quintana but like Chris Sale much more, so it’s hard to see them ultimately paying the price.
    https://www.fanragsports.com/mlb/inside-baseball-nl-will-happ-make-schwarber-expendable/
     
    clemsontyger04 likes this.
  30. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
    Donor
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    Alllll the sunshine...
     
  31. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
    Donor TMB OG
    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    Soroka skipping Hi-A, starting at Double-A Mississippi. He's 19 until August.
     
    ashy larry, LetItSoak and Keef like this.
  32. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
    Donor TMB OG
    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    Seems Allard is heading to Mississippi as well. So, Fried, Allard, Soroka and Weigel. Hello.
     
    bcuga, Keef, ashy larry and 4 others like this.
  33. jplaYa

    jplaYa CHAMPZY/SMOLTZY/CHELSEA
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    Alabama Crimson TideAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsChelseaAtlanta United

    So glad my AA hometown team (Chattanooga Lookouts) plays Mississippi. Love watching our prospects now that we have some to watch.
     
    Clegg likes this.
  34. Louis Holth

    Louis Holth but we also just might be those motherfuckers
    Donor
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    Love the aggressive move.
     
  35. Reggie Washington

    Reggie Washington Championship-Level Knowledge
    Donor
    Georgia BulldogsAtlanta Braves

    Love the frame on Soroka.
     
  36. Silky Johnson

    Silky Johnson Player Hater of the Year
    Florida GatorsAtlanta BravesNew York JetsTennis

    Yeah. Seems like a new tactic from Atlanta.

    I'll be paying more attention to that rotation than Atlanta's. All of a sudden, all of those kids are one good season away from 2018 ETA's.
     
    Louis Holth and Keef like this.
  37. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
    Donor TMB OG
    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    Anybody going to the exhibition tonight?
     
  38. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
    Donor TMB OG
    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

  39. Room 15

    Room 15 Mi equipo esta Los Tigres
    Donor
    Auburn TigersAtlanta BravesAtlanta FalconsUnited States Men's National Soccer Team

    Has there been any recent talk of Rio platooning or does he have another full year at AAA?
     
  40. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
    Donor TMB OG
    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    Sounds like they just want him to get at-bats everyday at Triple-A at this point.
     
  41. clemsontyger04

    clemsontyger04 Two offensive coordinators are better than one
    Donor TMB OG
    Clemson TigersAtlanta BravesCharlotte HornetsCarolina PanthersCarolina HurricanesChelseaTiger WoodsCollege Football PlayoffNational LeagueGame of ThronesUnited States Men's National Soccer TeamBarAndGrillOlympics

    I didnt want us to leave the Ted because the move was stupid, but I have to say from what I have seen on twitter and snapchat, the stadium is top notch and great for the organization.
     
  42. Tobias

    Tobias dan “the man qb1” jones fan account
    Donor
    North Carolina TarheelsAtlanta BravesCharlotte HornetsNew York GiantsManchester CityNational LeagueBarAndGrill

    SC who all will be in rome this year? moving to asheville and want to know who i can see when our club rolls through
     
  43. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
    Donor TMB OG
    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    Would think Ian Anderson, Joey Wentz, Kyle Muller, Brett Cumberland, Cristian Pache, Derian Cruz, etc would be at Rome.
     
  44. Silky Johnson

    Silky Johnson Player Hater of the Year
    Florida GatorsAtlanta BravesNew York JetsTennis

    Missed opportunity, IYAM since starting vs. right-ganders basically is playing everyday.

    Especially with how bad our bench is, seems like an easy way to both see what we have in Ruiz and upgrade out roster overall.

    One of the very few decisions from this regime I've disagreed with.
     
  45. Tobias

    Tobias dan “the man qb1” jones fan account
    Donor
    North Carolina TarheelsAtlanta BravesCharlotte HornetsNew York GiantsManchester CityNational LeagueBarAndGrill

    where is maitan and is there any possibility he ends up in rome
     
  46. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
    Donor TMB OG
    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    Definitely a chance he'll be in Rome at some point, absolutely.
     
    Tobias likes this.
  47. Tobias

    Tobias dan “the man qb1” jones fan account
    Donor
    North Carolina TarheelsAtlanta BravesCharlotte HornetsNew York GiantsManchester CityNational LeagueBarAndGrill

    oooo i like that

    obviously i am most excited to see tebow but maitan is #2
     
  48. One Man Wolfpack

    One Man Wolfpack I hate Godzilla!
    Donor
    North Carolina TarheelsAtlanta Braves

    Perfect that Freddie is the first Brave to homer in the new stadium.
     
    ashy larry likes this.
  49. SC

    SC I’m boring and I’m bored
    Donor TMB OG
    Atlanta BravesTennisMississippi Rebels

    That was a shot.
     
  50. ashy larry

    ashy larry from ashy to classy
    Donor
    South Carolina GamecocksAtlanta BravesWu-tang

    porch was made with freddie in mind