Here are the Braves farm hands who will be representing Atlanta in the 2009 Arizona Fall League:
Jason Heyward, OF: The top prospect in baseball will be on display in the premier Fall/Winter league for prospects. Coming in as the top prospect, there will be a lot of eyes on him. This will be a good test to see if he can handle the pressure.
Freddie Freeman, 1B: He was put on the disabled list today with an injured wrist, so his status in the AFL is currently in doubt. The Braves will probably take a wait and see approach, and make a last minute decision as to whether he should participate.
Brandon Hicks, SS: The once-promising shortstop prospect has struggled this season, succumbing to strikeouts and a lack of power. Can he bounce back in the hitter friendly AFL?
Mike Minor, LHSP: The Braves top pick in the 2009 draft will get his first big showcase, and face a tough test in the hitters paradise of Arizona. Can he survive that level of competition unscathed?
Craig Kimbrel, RHRP: The Braves top relief prosepct will get yet another chance to prove he can help the club in the bullpen in 2010.
Jeff Lyman, RHRP: A real under-the-radar guy who is having a solid year after converting from a starter to a reliever.
Lee Hyde, LHRP: This 2006 4th-rounder is bouncing back from surgery last season. He has been terrific in relief at Myrtle Beach, and was only recently promoted to double-A. It looks like the Braves want to try and move him fast.
What, no Matt Young this year?
0 recs | 52 comments
That’s a lot of our top prospects there. It will be fun to see how they all do
eaheckman10 - August 24, 2009
Jordan Schafer?
I guess hes still hurting?
esadb - August 24, 2009
I’d rather him play in a regular winter league than the AFL
eaheckman10 - August 24, 2009
i forgot, afl is only for minor leaguers right?
esadb - August 24, 2009
No, you can actually have a year in the Majors and still be eligible.
cbwilk - August 25, 2009
They shut him down, and he’s having surgery: http://www.talkingchop.com/2009/8/25/1001886/schafer-needs-surgery
John Holton - August 25, 2009
I’m most interested in Minor. I’m not as high on him as most here but if he can put together a good AFL, which has been a hitter’s league, then I can see myself buying into the hype. This will go a long way in deciding how fast he moves through the system
McCann's the Man - August 24, 2009
not many of us are high on him...
but he will turn out to be a serviceable #3 starter for us in a rotation of Hanson, Jurrjens, Teheran and Delgado.
apoxonbothyourhouses - August 25, 2009
No way he’s the 3 in that scenario, Teheran would be since I assume we’re guessing every one there comes close to their potential. Minor could make a nice 4 imo but i’m not expecting much more, i think he might even be more useful as trade bait
McCann's the Man - August 25, 2009
I’m curious to see how the AFL2 or whatever they’re calling it is going to work out. For those who don’t know, the Hawaii Winter League, which was mostly for A ball prospects, folded, and is being replaced this year with a similar league, to also be housed in Arizona. I’m very interested to see both who the Braves send and how this new league as a whole works out. Even if I think they should have put it in North Carolina instead.
cbwilk - August 24, 2009
Hell yeah!
I get to see the 4/6 guys i wanted to see the most: Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel and Minor (i wanted to see Teharan and Milligan, but i guess ill have to wait).
Ill be sure to take some pics and post em on here guys.
Scott Coleman - August 24, 2009
I guarantee heyward won’t be the top prospect in baseball when the afl gets here
yondaime4 - August 24, 2009 via mobile
good for whoever beats him?
Scott Coleman - August 24, 2009
Why exactly is that, yondaime4? The small slump in last few weeks? What if he rebounds and finishs the season strong?
fandave - August 24, 2009
Strasburg?
fphjr01 - August 24, 2009
Aroldis Chapman?
esadb - August 24, 2009
Neither of those guys have ever played 1 game in the minor leagues. And even with Heyward’s struggles the past few weeks, his numbers are still great.
Scott Coleman - August 24, 2009
There’s consensus among the prospects “experts” that Strasburg is going to be #1.
17843 - August 24, 2009
cant wait
for the Strasburg vs Hanson Matchups
Not to mention the Strasburg facing Heyward Match Ups
drumzalicious - August 24, 2009
Yeah, I don’t really agree with that. I still think he’s a better prospect than Strasburg, if only because he’s a position player.
cbwilk - August 24, 2009
Strasburg....
will throw his arm out and have to have surgery just like Prior, he won’t last.
BravesRaleigh - August 24, 2009
What makes you say that?
esadb - August 24, 2009
yeah why is it a guarantee that strasburg won’t last? Just because there’s a chance doesn’t make it an inevitability
McCann's the Man - August 24, 2009
I’m not saying I agree with it either, but I am pretty much putting all my money in a basket that has all the major publications putting Strasburg #1.
The funny thing is they are kind of flip sides of the coin for each other as the scouting reports on both guys say they will be stars barring injuries. Also lets not forget Heyward has been banged up in both his full seasons.
yondaime4 - August 24, 2009
I’m not so sure on this…
timmy3 - August 27, 2009
Speaking of Mike Minor
Tonights line, thus far:
2IP 0H 0R 2K 0BB
Nice.
Scott Coleman - August 24, 2009
Just gave up two hits.
i wonder how long hell go today.
esadb - August 24, 2009
yeah, im listening to the game. im gonna guess he’s done after the 3rd.
Scott Coleman - August 24, 2009
Re:
How did Minor finish up?
Jay212033 - August 24, 2009 via mobile
3IP 2H 0R 2K 0BB
esadb - August 24, 2009
Hicks
I have this gut feeling Hicks is going to tear the AFL apart this year. He may be the Brave most likely to improve his value this winter.
Yakker - August 24, 2009
You're tearing me apart, Lisa!
jpx7 - August 24, 2009
Wow
That may be the greatest worst movie of all time. Nicely done.
Yakker - August 25, 2009
I’m gonna take the opposite end of that and guess that he continues to suck.
cbwilk - August 24, 2009
For some reason that made me laugh out loud.
gondeee - August 24, 2009
Well, glad I could help.
cbwilk - August 25, 2009
You’re probably right, but I need somewhere to place my irrational hope in an ATL farmhand in the process of flaming out, now that Campbell’s out of the organization.
Yakker - August 25, 2009
Haha, fair enough.
cbwilk - August 25, 2009
It seems as if he has been on a bit of a roll here lately. Maybe he is starting to get it worked out and will be able to continue that into the fall.
Mountngrown - August 25, 2009
Yup
He’s been stringing together some good ABs, actually taking walks and hitting with some authority. Also, before Schafer lit the AFL on fire, he had power/strikeout concerns, just like Hicks. Like I said, just a feeling.
Yakker - August 25, 2009
Really hope
Heyward and Freeman can go to the AFL together.
drumzalicious - August 24, 2009
Oh my god
Giants lead the Rockies 4-2 in the 14th inning. Ryan Spillborgs hit a grand slam to win the game. What a game. Even tho it hurts the Braves, I really really really hate the Giants. We’re only 1/2 a game behind them now.
Let’s go Braves!
Scott Coleman - August 25, 2009 via mobile
Stupid Gints
Yakker - August 25, 2009
Schafer...
Is he still hurt? Haven’t seen any info on him in a while and was just curious.
mjenkins - August 25, 2009
Schafer had cast on his wrist and had it removed a weeks or so ago. Will be playing winter ball.
braves99 - August 25, 2009
schafer needs surgery
Schafer didn’t do himself any favors playing with an injury. He’s wasted this entire season and I’m not sure what the Braves plan on doing with him next season.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/schafer-to-have-surgery-123379.html
mdhenshaw - August 25, 2009
No C Johnson?
This guy leads the Carolina league in HRs and has prodigous power . The myrtle beach coach of 30 years says that Johnson hits the ball further than anyone he has every seen including Strawberry,Branyon, and big mac. Why take the slow track with such a formidable power hitter who plays center field and has enough speed to have 10 SBs this year to go with his 30 Homeruns and 80 plus RBIs. Sometimes I wonder who is steering the boat in Atlanta these days. Is it the coaches or the company that owns the Braves and makes every thing about money. This is not the same Braves organization of old and it is starting to get old. Seems like the guy has proved he is above the Carolina league and yet he still has not been promoted?
Brickstone - August 25, 2009
Yeah the 35+% K rate proves he’s above the carolina league doesn’t it? And since when does Johnson play CF, he’s a mediocre LF defender. There’s more to baseball than HR’s, but there’s not much more to cody johnson
McCann's the Man - August 25, 2009
I agree with the emotion behind this, but none of the logic.
cbwilk - August 25, 2009
haha
Swo12bv - August 25, 2009
this
While I am a fan of CJ’s and believe that he will develop into a solid power hitting major league outfielder eventually he probably isn’t ready for the AFL yet. I suspect that you will likely see him there following the 2010 season.
Mountngrown - August 25, 2009
RSF
Just heard RSF named played of the year in App league and will be going to instructional league now.
littlethings - August 25, 2009
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