The Major League baseball site is a bit slow updating their Winter Leagues pages, especially the roster pages, but on the ones that are updated I've been able to find quite a few Atlanta Braves players and prospects competing this off-season in fall and winter leagues.
In the Mexican Winter League, which starts today, the Braves have four prospects representing Atlanta, pitchers Brett Butts and Tim Gustafson and outfielders Concepcion Rodriguez and Matt Young. It's worth keeping an eye on all of these guys, as the pitchers could figure into our future bullpen mix and the outfielders could at least become candidates as future major league backups. We might see a few other guys participating, but not all of the rosters are available yet.
In the Venezuelan Winter League, which also starts today, the Braves have several participants; catchers Osman Marval and J.C. (automatic yearly invite to spring training because he's a catcher) Boscan, who are not really prospects, and first baseman Ernesto Mejia, who is certainly a prospect to keep an eye on. Left-handed starter Jose Ortegano will be another prospect to watch, and he is joined on the same team by outfield prospect Luis Sumoza.
Gregor Blanco also makes his annual appearance in the VWL, and Martin Prado is listed on the roster of one of the teams, so hopefully he gets to spend some time close to his family while getting some extra work in (I wonder if he'll play right field <<big gasp>>).
Of course, the Arizona Fall League starts Tuesday with the elite Braves prospects participating. The Braves top two prospects Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman highlight the position players, along with shortstop Brandon Hicks. Top draft pick Mike Minor gets his first taste of upper-level minor league competition, as he fronts the Braves pitching contingent of closer candidate Craig Kimbrel and relievers Lee Hyde and Jeff Lyman.
Matt and CB will be spinning up daily Fall/Winter League recaps starting next week so that everyone can keep up with our prospects this off-season. So check back daily for the latest on the next generation of Atlanta Braves.
0 recs | 17 comments
thanks gondee, lookin’ forward to it.
Hcgadawgs - October 9, 2009
i'll be at the game tuesday night
i’ll be in my Braves jersey and im 6foot5 so i stick out lol say hi if you’re gonna be there!
Scott Coleman - October 9, 2009 via mobile
A question....
What is the format of the AFL?
sddbaker - October 9, 2009
In what way? I’m not sure I understand the question.
cbwilk - October 10, 2009
How many teams are there? How are the players “divided up”? How many games do they play? … that sort of thing….
sddbaker - October 12, 2009
Oh, that makes sense. Ok, there are 6 teams, and each Major League organization sends 7 players to make up the 35 man rosters. So there are 5 Major League teams represented on each AFL team. There are 2 divisions with 3 teams each, they play 38 games and the winner of each division play in a one game championship.
The Braves guys are playing for Peoria Saugaros along with players from the Padres, Astros, Indians, and Reds. The teams also provide coaches, but this year the Braves didn’t send one.
cbwilk - October 12, 2009
thanks!
sddbaker - October 13, 2009
hooooray!!
I’m going to come clean and admit that the past few years I’ve enjoyed the rosterbation and prospect-speak of the offseason MORE than the actual OTs during the summer. It just seems that we were looking forward to this next batch of baby braves that will take us to the playoffs.
This year, we actually had a race and some prospects we’ve been following come up, so it was really an awesome Talking Chop year.
But now, it just feels like we are literally on that bubble, where we’re actively turning from a non-playoff bound team, to a contender with these familiar names now factoring in to real, practical future situations.
Anyone agree?
traphicg - October 9, 2009
clarify
take out the “just” in that last sentence – it feels like we’re really ready to bust through, and these prospect/offseason threads should be awesome.
traphicg - October 9, 2009
Looking forward to those recaps!
Bravely going forward - October 9, 2009
Lee Hyde and Jeff Lyman
I was surprised by these not so high on the radar guys getting the call for fall ball. What’s up with that?
fandave - October 9, 2009
I think the Braves are high on Lee Hyde
esadb - October 10, 2009
Lyman had a very solid year this season. he could have a place in the bullpen as a power arm soon.
yondaime4 - October 10, 2009
I am planning on a trip AZ
Just wondering, Does anybody have a quick list on what team each player is on?
Again,
My appologies for hex’n the team by coming back early from overseas…hurt my back and had to go on the DL….but at least I got to see us against the pills?.
bravestatoo - October 11, 2009
all the players are on Peoria Saguaros.
Scott Coleman - October 13, 2009
here's a list to the roster
http://www.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&t=t_ros&cid=542
Ahh, going to the opener tomorrow night. can’t freakin wait. and dont worry…ill have my camera ready to go.
Scott Coleman - October 13, 2009
You better. And if you get a chance, grab a shot or two of Nick Weglarz and Dan Moskos (he’s with Scottsdale), they’re buddies of mine. And don’t forget Jim Czajkowski the PC for Peoria is a Braves guy, he’s been one of our PCs for a long while and actually played in the minors as a Brave back in the day.
cbwilk - October 13, 2009
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