Sorry for nothing the last couple of nights. The Mexican league games come really late and there doesn't seem to be enough Braves playing some nights for a full update.
Surprise 10, Peoria 9
Freddie Freeman is having a tough time of it in the AFL so far. He has 8K now in 15 AB though he does have 3 BB also. Lee Hyde has still yet to allow a run and has recorded 6 of his 9 outs via strikeout. Craig Kimbrel has been himself so far walking a bunch of guys (5 in 3.2IP) and striking out a bunch of guys (4K in that same span).
Mazatlan 0, Navojoa 5 - 5th Inning
This game obviously isn't over, but I wanted to get a shot of it in. Matt Young has been the second best hitter on this team so far and Tim Gustafson has been great as a starter having allowed only one run through 10 innings pitched so far.
0 recs | 20 comments
Did anyone see the K-Law piece on Hyde?
It’s insider only, but he says Lee Hyde looked really good and should get a shot to pitch out of the bullpen if he pitches this well in Spring Training.
PWHjort - October 22, 2009
i saw it too
but im not an insider on ESPN. I already spend money on Rivals.com and baseball america, and refuse to pay any more than that. thanks for the summary tho.
Scott Coleman - October 22, 2009
Anyone else worried about Freeman?
He had a great first 2 weeks or so in AA, and then struggled the rest of the way. Im not sure if his wrist is still bothering him or what, but a .073 average is really bad. There’s already been something like 50HRs hit in the AFL, and Freddie only has one hit? Hmmm…
Scott Coleman - October 22, 2009
The league isn’t easy. He’s one of the youngest players out there and there was about a month between the end of the year and the start of the AFL, and probably closer to two months from the last time he played. There are some factors here. It might be too early to worry about it. And, even if he has a poor AFL, what does that really say? That he played poorly over the course of a month an a half.
cbwilk - October 22, 2009
Exactly. You’d be an idiot not to cut Freeman some slack given the injuries and the fact that he was the youngest player in the Carolina League at the beginning of the year, and he got promoted.
timmy3 - October 22, 2009
are we sure he's 100% healthy?...
a bad wrist can really impact production from the plate.
And I wouldn’t be surprised to see Matt Young win a 4th/5h OF job in the spring. A left handed bat off the bench could be needed, he could be used as a pinch runner, and would certainly be cheaper than Church in that role.
Mr. Sanchez - October 22, 2009
freeman
I’ve said before the guy is at least 3 years from being major league ready . Theres no guarnatee that he will be the1st baseman we’ve been wanting .
~~banditwolf~~ - October 22, 2009
ummmmmm
just because he’s had a bad first 15 ABs does NOT mean he will not “be the 1st basemen we’ve been wanting”. The kid JUST TURNED 20. i still think he’s 4 years away…and he could have been slightly rushed this year, but he’s ooooooooozing potential.
not every prospect we’re going to have is going to be Heyward. Jason is a complete anomaly from most prospects: he just seems to get better at every level.
but Freeman needs to be cut some slack.
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 22, 2009
I’m really hoping that Young get a shot to make the team in ST.
Hyde stuff looks very good and he could be a very good future set-up guy.
Freeman and Heyward have not played all that well, Freeman looking horrible so far, but they’re very young let see how they respond. Neither guy has more than 15 ABs so that’s not enough to judge anyone from.
Jay212033 - October 22, 2009 via mobile
i do like Matt Young's
Fall League so far. Maybe we could package Prado or Infante + Lowe for a RH power bat? Anyone think that:
Prado
Lowe
10 million $
could get us, say, Nelson Cruz? Letting Gonzo and Soriano walk would ALSO allow us to sign LaRoche and be a player in the Holliday sweepstakes AND think about Wagner.
apoxonbothyourhouses - October 22, 2009
No.
And Matt Young is probably best suited to play CF in the bigs.
I wouldn’t be opposed to trading McLouth, though. I think he’s pretty eh, personally. Though Schafer is our CF’er of the future. Still, Matt Young could help the team if you leveraged his abilities properly (pinch-running, defensive replacement, etc..). I hope the Braves go that route or trade him for something useful.
PWHjort - October 22, 2009
I'm with you on McLouth
I have not been too impressed with him, he K’s far too much for a leadoff guy. I wouldn’t mind trading him to Texas for Cruz and a prospect(s).
Jay212033 - October 22, 2009 via mobile
In the past 10 months
McLouth has hit .256/.343/.436/.779 (33 HR, 3.71% of his AB’s). That’s the real McLouth. Outside of a 2-month period (the first 2 months of 2008 when he hit .312/.399/.605 with 13 HR (6.05% of his AB’s), he’s been simply adequate with the bat and below-average in CF. Not the “special player” he was cracked up to be. Not a liability or anything, but he ain’t no superstar.
PWHjort - October 22, 2009
I have a problem
With him striking out in key situations, he was down right horrible against LHP with the Braves. If we could trade him and get our big RH bat in LF I wouldn’t mind that at all! McLouth for Cruz and Prospect(s) sounds good to me.
Jay212033 - October 22, 2009 via mobile
Matt Young as an everyday OF in the Majors would not work well.
cbwilk - October 22, 2009
No way
I like Young but not that well to trade Prado. Young has played some 2B but not all that well according to scouting reports, he plays the OF much better though. He’s a hard-nose playe who gives his all and a scrappy guy at the plate who’s tough to K, I wouldn’t mind having him as a 4th OF and an emergency 2B.
Jay212033 - October 22, 2009 via mobile
Man
I’ve seen people on this board saying that Freeman is 3-4 years away. But if he’s already in AA there is no way he’s 3-4 years away. Even if he goes back to AA for a full season unless he’s horrible there then he’ll be in AAA the following season which would be 2 seasons not 3-4! I really think he’s 1 and a half to 2 years away. Any longer would mean he’s not doing too well.
Jay212033 - October 22, 2009 via mobile
I'd say over/under is June 2011
And right now, even with his mediocre numbers as of late, I’ll take the under.
PWHjort - October 22, 2009
We're on the same page
The only way I can see him not up by 2011 is if the Braves sign LaRoche to a 3+ yr contract which I don’t see. But if that were the case Freeman would be trade bait I think.
Jay212033 - October 22, 2009 via mobile
3 years for LaRoche
I know it is premature, but do you think Freeman’s struggles (no matter how unalarming they may be) would prompt Wren to offer LaRoche a 3 year deal?
hollerin' brave - October 22, 2009 via mobile
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