Making the Team Meter for the Atlanta Braves pitchers for week 3 of spring training follows what the pitchers have done the first two weeks of games. Go here for week 2 of the pitchers edition MTM. I went ahead and removed Juan Abreu from this list, and a few more will come off next week.
| Player, Position | This Week's Trend | Last Week | Notes and Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manny Acosta, RHP |  |
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Okay, seriously, really, Manny has been pretty darn good this spring. 4 innings, 6 strikeouts, and only 1 hit and 1 walk. I hate to say it, but with Chavez and Dunn struggling, Manny's looking good to make the team. |
| Jesse Chavez, RHP |  |
|
His stats look horrible so far this spring. He did have a decent outing last night, but it was by no means dominant. Nor did he look that confident on the mound. He has an option left, and I say his odds of making the team are slipping. |
| Kyle Cofield, RHP | |
|
He's only gotten into one game, but he's been compared to John Smoltz, so we'll keep him on here and see if he gets a more serious shot at one of the bullpen spots. |
| Erik Cordier, RHP | |
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Two decent outings. He's helping his cause to make the team, but he's still a non-roster guy, so unless he just blows away the Braves coaches he's still bound for the minors. |
| Michael Dunn, LHP | |
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Lots of walks and hits. He's pitched around them for the most part, but his control is a point of concern. |
| Mariano Gomez, LHP | |
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He got shellacked in his second outing of the spring. He really hasn't shown he can get anyone out this spring. |
| Lee Hyde, LHP | |
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Like Gomez, Hyde got shelled in his second spring appearance. I still like his chances, but he's got to have better control. |
| Craig Kimbrel, RHP | |
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I still think that with his stuff there's always the possibility of him making the team. He needs to get into some game, though. |
| Jeff Lyman, RHP | |
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He has done well this spring, and is flying way under the radar. Could be a dark horse bullpen candidate. |
| Stephen Marek, RHP | |
He doesn't seem to be ready for the show, as his disappointing 2009 is following into this season. We'll take him off this list, as he's too far down the depth chart at this point. |
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| Kris Medlen, RHP | |
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He has looked great so far this spring. |
| Mike Minor, LHP | |
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He's looked really good, and he seems to be throwing with a lot of confidence. I still believe that he is in the Braves long term plans more than their short term plans for this year. He may be one of the first players cut so he can go prepare for the rotation in the minors. |
| Jose Ortegano, LHP | |
After having a great Winter League, he got creamed by the Phillies last night. |
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| James Parr, RHP | |
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He's done okay this spring, with good strikeout numbers. It will be interesting to see how the Braves use him this year. He could be a long shot for the bullpen. |
| Scott Proctor, RHP | |
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The team still seems optimistic that he could be ready to start the season with the big club. |
| Todd Redmond, RHP | |
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He had a good first outing, and he is another pitcher who is intriguing. Still, I bet the team wants him to start in triple-A as emergency depth. |
| Chris Resop, RHP |
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Not having a good spring. It doesn't look good for Resop. Seeing as how he didn't get into many games last year in Japan, he could probably stand to spend some time in the minors. |
| Jo-Jo Reyes, LHP | |
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He might be squeezing his way into a bullpen role, and Cox hinted at just that. |
| Luis Valdez, RHP | |
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Still having visa problems getting into the states. |
| Jonny Venters, LHP | |
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He's having an okay spring. He needs to distinguish himself from the rest of the pack if he is to move up this list. |
| Arrow Key: |
|---|
| = Chance of making the team is waffling or 50-50. |
| = Chance of making the team is trending down. |
| = Chance of making the team is trending up. |
UPDATE: 4PM 3/10:
We may have to add Cory Gearrin to this list. He's not on the 40-man roster and he's not listed as a non-roster invitee, but he's made it into two games now and he's pitched very well, allowing only one hit while striking out two.
0 recs | 27 comments
I think having Jo-jo be the 2nd LOOGY isn’t a bad idea at all… In his career, he’s been terrible against righties, so limiting his exposure to lefties only might be the only way to get any real value out of him. And given how several guys are struggling, he might be the best option for the last bullpen slot anyway.
Jacob Peterson - March 10, 2010
I bet Jo-Jo could be a lights-out closer.
justincredubil02 - March 10, 2010
Don't know if you're serious, but...
I agree – at least I think he would be a good relief pitcher. Pitching in relief could give him a couple MPH on his FB and allow him to use his secondary pitches less. Although his best pitch in MLB has been his change up (http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=5559&position=P#pitchvalues).
buzzdeadwax - March 10, 2010
I am dead serious. I think he could by dynamic in that role.
justincredubil02 - March 10, 2010
*be, not by.
justincredubil02 - March 10, 2010
Awkward spring...
Guys we expected to be halfway decent have wet the bed, while those who we long forgot about are trying to win back our hearts… Hope springs eternal… I still think the Phils are overrated… Go Braves!!
HansonManCrush - March 10, 2010 via mobile
oh hell no
not Jo-Jo. When was the last time he didn’t get shelled in regular season play?
nathan rothschild - March 10, 2010
April 28, 2009
7 IPs, 3 H, 1R, 1BB, 7 Ks
justincredubil02 - March 10, 2010
Also, in 2008, JoJo had 12 games in which he gaveu up 3 runs or less, so let’s not act like he completely sucks and has never been good.
justincredubil02 - March 10, 2010
Please tell me I'm not the only one
Who really sees nothing out of Acosta’s good ST, and cringes at the thought of him being on the 25-man roster out the gate?
royhobbs - March 10, 2010
You and me both…
Smoltz's Beard - March 10, 2010
Looks like Minnesota may need a closer. Maybe this performance from Acosta could dupe them into trading for him. Wishful thinking?
10-4 - March 10, 2010
Don't know what would be worse
Jon Rauch or Manny Acosta.
royhobbs - March 10, 2010
I don't trust it...
but the man has always had superior stuff, it was consistency and control that were problems. Maybe he’s a really late bloomer who’s finally figured it out.
Mr. Sanchez - March 10, 2010
Acosta has pitched really well
it’s unsettling, because as of right now he deserves that last bullpen spot, but I think we’ve all seen how he actually performs in the regular season. Has he really improved, or if he gets that last spot will we start seeing “Manny being Manny?”
alligatorimpersonator - March 10, 2010
I know this is a pitching thread, but is anyone else getting a bit worried about McLouth? He really tailed off when he came to Atlanta last year, and was supposed to bounce back this year now that his vision was “corrected” but he’s looked TERRIBLE in ST thus far.
That being said, I’m very optimistic on Glaus, Hinske, and Heyward, who were all question marks coming into this ST. Heap, Esco, Diaz, and Prado are going to give you what you expect, just like last year. Jury’s still out on Chipper though. Oh, and I think Melky will be a great utility outfielder for us.
pancanbra - March 10, 2010
I’m not worried about McLouth, he’ll bounce back in the regular seson. I’m just trying to figure out where Glaus’ power numbers went.
Br8vesfan - March 10, 2010
hey, if he wants to hit .750, I don’t care if he doesn’t have any XBH
alligatorimpersonator - March 10, 2010
This.
Smoltz's Beard - March 10, 2010
steroids were banned. ooops!
Sparhawk - March 10, 2010
It's still early for McLouth,
but I’m definitely a little worried about him. He’s looked horrible so far, but I think he’ll turn it around soon. I’m not expecting a big season from him though – I’m still expecting him to be completely average – .250/.340/.420 with 20 homers.
alligatorimpersonator - March 10, 2010
Ugh...
Here’s hoping Schafer turns it around and really lights it up in the minors. He’s everything we need right now, and McLouth would be a valuable trade asset come deadline time.
pancanbra - March 10, 2010
This is what I hope for too.
Sparhawk - March 10, 2010
I'll third that.
alligatorimpersonator - March 10, 2010
I don’t know much about Kyle Cofield. How does he get comparisons to John Smoltz? That seems awfully good considering I’ve never heard of the guy.
Oh, and Smoltz the starter or Smoltz the closer?
Sparhawk - March 10, 2010
The comparison was passed along by Mark Bowman, who was talking to a scout who said Cofield’s stuff reminds him of Smoltz’. He did say that Cofield needs to solve his control problems, but if he does he could be a good one. Big IF though.
gondeee - March 10, 2010
Gearrin and Kimbrel
Both guys have looked pretty good so far granted it’s only 2 IP for both guys but both are looking good.
Jay212033 - March 10, 2010
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