Ben Badler at Baseball America did a prospect chat earlier today, and several Braves prospects were discussed. Here is what he had to say:
Dave (Atlanta): How would you rank the Braves top international pitchers: Delgado, Teheran, Lopez, and Vizcaino?
Ben Badler: Vizcaino, Teheran, Delgado, Lopez. I believe I'm in the BA minority though in edging Vizcaino over Teheran.
Badler has always had a great love of Vizcaino, but at this point it certainly looks like Teheran is the better prospect, with possibly Delgado coming in second with the season he's having in a more advanced league.
Daniel (Indian Trail, NC): Other than Freddie Freeman, is there anyone within the upper levels of the Braves system that can legitimately step in and fill a position next season for a much needed bat in our desperate lineup (excluding the fact that we hit well during the 3 game sweep of the Brewers). Also, is Schafer ever going to materialize into an option beside Heyward for us?
Ben Badler: Other than Freeman, no, it looks like they would have to go outside of the organization to find another bat. To be honest, I don't know what to make of Schafer. He's had such a strange developmental path between his suspension and what he had to deal with mentally after the suspension that, really, I just don't know. Some scouts saw him as an everyday regular in center field, but there seem to be just as many who see him as a part-time guy who has to sit against lefthanded pitching.
Our elite hitting prospect depth is not that great, but the development of hitters has generally taken a back seat to the development of pitchers in the Braves system. Still, the Braves have produced a lot of major league hitters in the past decade. Maybe as many if not more than the pitchers they've produced. This is a conversation for another post, though.
Bubba Brown (Roy, UT): Has Julio Teheran put himself in position to be discussed with the elite of the elite prospect arms?
Ben Badler: He's already there. He might have the best fastball/changeup combo in the minors
Fastball/chageup -- a lot of people have made a career out just throwing those two pitches effectively.
0 recs | 165 comments
Like what I’m hearing about JT. I’m still on board the Schafer train. I don’t think anyone here thinks we have anyone in the upper minors to fill in other than Freddie.
JKowalek - May 14, 2010
Vizcaino > JT?
Hmmm…I’d definately disagree there.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010 via mobile
Well he said that Teheran is already among the elite of the elite prospects arms, so that means he has Vizcaino there too, which makes me a happy camper…
bwellnjonesco - May 14, 2010
Exactly what I was thinking
Smoltz's Beard - May 14, 2010
true...
and it’s not like I don’t want Vizzy to turn out to a stud. I’d just prefer JT cause of that Fastball/Changeup combo.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
Yeah, he’s my favorite too.
bwellnjonesco - May 14, 2010
I think a lot of people are pulling for Vizcaino to justify the Vaz trade. I know I am…
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
What's ill about it is..
1. This dude may be the only person on the planet that would rank Vizcaino over Teheran right now.
2. Delgado’s command has improved big time, as have his secondary pitches. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s ranked ahead of Vizcaino.
Also, Schafer did take a very odd route to the majors, hopefully he gets a chance to slow down and develop.
Mighty Healthy - May 14, 2010
Steven Marek and Mike Minor
are definitely capable of being big time players.
jaypatel - May 14, 2010
Truth.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
Could a retarded monkey have asked better questions?
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
Pelican.
Smoltz's Beard - May 14, 2010
It was fresh on the mind.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
A retarded pelican?
mvandonsel - May 14, 2010
I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE!
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
I dunno who posted it a few days back, but I am definitely starting to favor the Stevie Wonder ICWUDT over the pelican. Maybe I’m just burned out on the bird.
!Vive la Francoeur! - May 14, 2010
Yeah, Stevie was a nice change of pace
Smoltz's Beard - May 14, 2010
Why give big contracts to Lowe and KK......
with such a stock pile of arms? Sometimes International pitchers are more advanced at younger ages.
CowboyCurtis - May 14, 2010
because we didn’t have Minor or Vizcaino yet and JT, Delgado and Lopez were all like 19 when we signed DLowe and KK?
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
Um, JT and Lopez are 19, NOW...
they were 17 or 18 when we signed KK and Lowe last winter.
Mr. Sanchez - May 14, 2010
you say that, but i’m like 99% sure you got my point
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
But I am technically correct,...
the best kind of correct.
That, and I like reminding people that as good as Teheran is, he’s still a teenager.
Mr. Sanchez - May 14, 2010
I’m a level 40 beareaucrat
BullManUGA - May 14, 2010 via mobile
But you spelled bureaucrat wrong and forgot a period...
That’s a two grade level demotion. You are now at level 38.
EricGreggWasPaidOff - May 14, 2010
And.....
by the time they get here Lowe and KK will be gone.
homerlanding - May 14, 2010
OGT
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
yeah, this one is a no brainer
Smoltz's Beard - May 14, 2010
i made it green
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
Good work.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
OGT: It never fails.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
It stands out like a lit up Christmas tree.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
pardon my ignorance
what does OGT mean? i’ve been seeing it a lot…
atl192485 - May 14, 2010
Operation Green Troll
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
Disagree
PeeWee’s Playhouse reference earns Diplomatic Immunity…at least for now.
buzzdeadwax - May 14, 2010
What a strange career path.
!Vive la Francoeur! - May 14, 2010
And btw, this cowboy curtis picture is BEGGING for some hilarious caption action.
!Vive la Francoeur! - May 14, 2010
“I’m Rick James, bitch!” comes to mind.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
I’m thinking we should post this whenever Yunel pulls a Yunel special.
!Vive la Francoeur! - May 14, 2010
His Cowboy face says, “You expect me to believe your BS?”
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
LOL...no words...
Smoltz's Beard - May 14, 2010
No words…just emotions. Shhhhhh….
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
Vizcaino ahead of Teheran? Either way you cant argue that we basically have a rotation of #1’s in our system right now.
I cant wait till Salcedo gets going
drumzalicious - May 14, 2010
Truth.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
and you know what?
Fredi Gonzalez would be the perfect man to bring all of these young latino players into the league.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
Double-truth!
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
AHHHH
how dare you forsake Terry Pendleton as the heir to Bobby’s throne???
drumzalicious - May 14, 2010
Recommended my friend. You speak/write the truth!
Sparhawk - May 14, 2010
Neat lineup tonight:
Prado
Heyward
Chipper
BMac
Glaus (why aren’t these 2 switched?)
Hinske
Infante
McLouth
KK
We wants winz!
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
interesting lineup. I’m excited.
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
That looks like a lot of runs waiting to happen…
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
its because
its a righty pitcher on the mound. Bobby will keep Mac in the clean up spot unless there is a Lefty on the mound.
Also their entire BP is RH
drumzalicious - May 14, 2010
I know...
I just don’t like BMac hitting cleanup. He’s not a 4th hitter and probably never will be.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010 via mobile
This.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
I don’t know if he’s a “4th hitter” but he’s a really really good hitter so I have no problem with him batting cleanup.
ajones2522 - May 14, 2010
this
I’ve been saying that for years.
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
Mac hasn’t been a cleanup hitter for years, just one year…
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
This would be year 2 therefore deserves the “years” word.
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
Mr. Sanchez, is that you?!?!
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
What?
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
This is what nearly every Sanchez vs. Justin argument would start. Just something small and then it would evolve into something good.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
lol gotcha.
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
Hahahah…yeah. We aim to please.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
haha
Smoltz's Beard - May 14, 2010
o man lineups
might as well get the OT up
bpk228480 - May 14, 2010
Adam Foster of Project Prospect ranks Delgado ahead of them all.
I’ll take Teheran’s upside over Delgado, but it’s so hard to rank those 4.
I don’t think it’s clear Lopez is the 4th best, either. And where does Mike Minor fit in? I’ve been real impressed with him thus far.
PWHjort - May 14, 2010
But…Minor was a signability pick! RABBLE!
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
as CB beautifully said the other day...
maybe the guys who get paid by the Braves to scout prospects know a little more about them then we do.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
ya
but both shelby miller and tyler matzek signed for less money. Is it possible that Wren didn’t want too many young guys coming in at once? you’d have four 19 year olds all with tons of potential. I just think we should have drafted Matzek, especially with the way Minor’s pitched this year
jaypatel - May 14, 2010
That is not correct. Minor signed for $2.42 million. Matzek signed for $3.9 million and Miller signed for $2.8 million.
Of course, if they hadn’t signed Garret Anderson and Greg Norton they could have had Jacob Turner or Tyler Matzek or Matt Purke or Shelby Miller, all of whom I would’ve preferred to Minor.
PWHjort - May 14, 2010
Hyperlink fail.
Here’s the url: http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2009-mlb-draft-signings-and-bonuses/170809/
PWHjort - May 14, 2010
We'll see if you say that last line again in 5 years though
Mr. Sanchez - May 14, 2010
Dude, seriously, when is the last time we disagreed?
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
It'll come, just wait....
I’m thinking maybe when mvhs had his thank you, and I jokingly said something argumentatively that you didn’t pick up on as a joke.
But KJ is in town this weekend, so I’m sure it’ll happen again soon.
Mr. Sanchez - May 14, 2010
I wish I had photoshop skills.
I would love to superimpose pics of Prado and KJ onto this pic
!Vive la Francoeur! - May 14, 2010
photoshop?
it’s all about that Microsoft paint!
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
Do they make that for MS DOS?
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
+1
Smoltz's Beard - May 14, 2010
I won’t be rooting for KJ this weekend though – unless my fantasy team desperately needs some offense, and the Braves are up by 5 or 6 runs…
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
same with me and Roachy. Got him off waivers in both leagues.
kreese555 - May 14, 2010
me too. And someone released Adam Jones in the TC league and I got him. Couldn’t be any worse than FYF, who was actually pretty good in April.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
Once Roberts comes back and Adam Jones returns to the 2 spot (in like a month), they seem to think he’ll go back to being a stud. If you can wait that long, it’s totally worth it IMO.
kreese555 - May 14, 2010
Yeah…dropping AJ will probably come back to bite me in the ass. I meant to scoop him back up after he cleared waivers but that didn’t happen!
Smoltz's Beard - May 14, 2010
I’d probably rank Lopez 4th out of that group but you’re right. It’s not cut and dry. Lopez has less experience but doesn’t lag behind in stuff or performance at the same level as both JT and Viz. Man, don’t you just hate having to rank all of our future #1 starters?
ajones2522 - May 14, 2010
shouldnt
delgados performance in a higher league place him higher than JT even though JT’s ceiling is higher?
MacsGlasses - May 14, 2010
It depends on the person doing the rankings. Some rank based on performace, others on projections/ceiling, and others a combination of both. Some even rank hitters over pitchers for the simple fact that they can affect more games. There is no wrong way to not only eat a Reeses, but also to rank prospects.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
Not really...
because Teheran just joined him there at a full year younger. He may or may not have similar success, but Teheran is progressing faster through the system. Remember, at 19 (same age as JT now) Delgado struggled in his first half season in Rome.
Mr. Sanchez - May 14, 2010
Are you coming on to me? Orrr….
kreese555 - May 14, 2010
reply fail
kreese555 - May 14, 2010
You should slit your wrists, because you suck at life.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
because my last name is Reese. Get it. Get it Justin?
kreese555 - May 14, 2010
I got it…
You got chocolate in my peanut butter!
You got peanut butter in my chocolate!
Mmmm…..(BANG)
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
I’m officer Reeses. What’s going on here?
kreese555 - May 14, 2010
should we start OGT on reply fails? or would that just cause all the threads to look like Tim Lincecum’s basement?
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
Hahahaha. Well-played, Mauer.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
wanna go fishing in Cabo?
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
I’m not even allowed in Mexico – for real. The Air Force won’t let us travel there thanks to all of those stupid drug lords killing everyone.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
Not missing much. Everyone talks about how great Mexico is to go to on vacation. I don’t get it…i’d much rather go to Cali instead. Better food, weather and girls. And the whole idea of me speaking English on vacation sounds pretty nice too
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
haha, well in my defense I was checking out the formatting guide and got distracted.
kreese555 - May 14, 2010
2 hours until the game starts
and I have absolutely nothing to do. Day off from work, no more classes, friends are either working or out of town.
Any suggestions?
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
You could start the freakin game thread already…I have been waiting on it all day!
Also, a walk in an apple orchard is always nice.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
a walk in an apple orchard in Arizona? ha! more like walk in the desert and avoid getting heat stroke and/or bitten by a snake.
and Gondeee has the GT for tonight. I’m free of duties until monday’s Mets series…I think.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
Office quote recognition fail.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
I don’t really watch the office much. it it’s on i’ll check it out, but i missed the first few years and never really picked it up
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
Go join kreese then.
Just remember, it’s down the road, not across the street.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
I tried to kill myself with a lady bic with flowers on it…<—-pick up that quote
kreese555 - May 14, 2010
I’d have to google it.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
EMPIRE RECORDS…I THINK.
-C
cthabeerman - May 14, 2010
DING DING DING!
Nicely done
kreese555 - May 14, 2010
game thread game thread game thread!
atl192485 - May 14, 2010
GT an hour and a half before the game? We’d need like 4 threads lol
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
what’s the overall record for highest comment in one thread (meaning throughout SB nation)?
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
SB Nation? Oh, the Colts blog (GO COLTS!!!!) had something like 8,000 comments during the Super Bowl if you count the pre-game and post game threads as well.
For baseball, I’m not sure, but I’d imagine TC’s 3,100 record from earlier this week is up there.
And like I said in that thread, can you imagine what it would be like in a playoff game?
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
8,000! that’s insane. I would find it difficult to type and watch football at the same time. Too much action going on. Yeah that Colts Superbowl was shit. I hate it when they ran the ball 3 times before halftime. Just think if they would have scored. Game Over.
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
I haven't a thing to do either, so now I'm drinking.
kreese555 - May 14, 2010
WAT?! They cancelled FlashForward?
What. the. fuck.
That show is awesome.
How the hell does a show like that get cancelled, but stupid ass shows like Dancing with the Stars and Grey’s Anatomy get renewed year after year after year?
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
noooooooooooooo
bpk228480 - May 14, 2010
How did Lost last 6 years?
The plot is apparently still as confusing as it was during the first season.
Bronn - May 14, 2010
lost
was a hit because it appealed to a lot of people. it appealed to scifi geeks and those who watched for the mystery of it. it appealed to people who liked action and adventure. it appealed to ladies and those who watched for character development.
i watched a few FF episodes before the break and to me, a lost fan, it was nothing like lost and not as good as lost. then again, i’ve heard from lots of people that FF got a lot better after the hiatus.
atl192485 - May 14, 2010
Its like a completely different show after the break. They started to emulate Lost more with the character centric episodes and actually made you start to care about each individual.
bpk228480 - May 14, 2010
that's what I don't get...
FF started off great, but slumped a bit. I was gonna stop watching, but they ended the 1st half of the season really well and I continued to watch after the break.
It didn’t miss a beat after returning and I thought it would be a lock to be re-newed. I didn’t think it would be the next Lost, but it was certainly good.
The characters are great (especially Gabriel, the crazy guy. to be honest, he’s one of the best TV characters I’ve ever seen. I watch FF just to see him.) the acting is great and the story is very interesting. And none of the characters are similar either.
But it’s been rumored for weeks that it would be cancelled and that’s why they moved so quickly. Instead of letting Dyson Frost, who was a great character as well, come into his own, they killed him because they’re supposedly ending the show in 2 weeks.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
america is stupid for the most part…its all about ratings See, Freaks and Geeks and Arrested Development
bpk228480 - May 14, 2010
ABC is a joke. CBS and NBC are the only channels worth watching anymore.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
After Lost is done, Modern Family is the only show I will still watch on ABC. I did DVR the first 3 episodes of Happy Town just to see what thats about, but I havent had any sense of urgency to start it.
bpk228480 - May 14, 2010
you’re not missing much
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010
BTW I just read Happy Town got canceled too…might as well delete them now
bpk228480 - May 14, 2010
Anyone watch Deadliest Warrior?
bravesforever16 - May 14, 2010
I catch it from time to time. It’s interesting.
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
Yeah
my favorite has to be Jesse James VS. Al Capone
bravesforever16 - May 14, 2010
I missed that one. Must have been interesting. Don’t tell me who wins. Might catch a replay of it later.
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
Cougars was/is horrible, but The Middle is not that bad.
Modern Family is fantastic.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
I tried watching the Middle bc the Janitor was on it….but I just couldn’t get into it
bpk228480 - May 14, 2010
It’s a lot like Malcolm in the Middle.
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
modern family and community are two of the funniest shows on right now.
the paintball episode of community is one of the best half-hours of TV (ok maybe i’m exaggerating a bit, but it’s awesome).
atl192485 - May 14, 2010
That one was epic. I kept thinking that it was supposed to be like Call of Duty Modern Warfare – especially the first 5 minutes or so – remember the level in the destroyed town where Chernoble happened?
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
On MLB Live
The Braves have two of the top 5 in Longest active losing streaks for starting pitchers….8 in a row for KK and 9 in a row for the incomparable Jo Jo Reyes….yikes
bpk228480 - May 14, 2010
why hurt us with your facts?
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
I just thought it was an interesting tidbit
bpk228480 - May 14, 2010
game thread?
BMacAttack - May 14, 2010
Gondeee is MIA so far. Probably just a busy man. It should be up soon.
Scott Coleman - May 14, 2010 via mobile
i’m in Canada for two weeks, game thread might be my only way to watch with all these damn internet restrictions. cmon gondeeeee
BMacAttack - May 14, 2010
is it true that Canada sucks? (joking)
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
Who cares? Blame them!
justincredubil02 - May 14, 2010
the customs agents definitely suck.. people in halifax nice so far, just weird.
BMacAttack - May 14, 2010
I don’t why I ask this so much, how are the women?
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
lets just put it this way.. i’m not used to women assuming they’re going home with you when you meet them at a bar.
BMacAttack - May 14, 2010
so they do suck? (terrible joke)
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
they play ball
BMacAttack - May 14, 2010
hmmm
been to canada by land twice, to quebec city by car and toronto by train, and the customs agents i had were really nice. by far nicer than the american ones coming back into the states.
atl192485 - May 14, 2010
they guys i dealt with gave me a terrible time because i was a student that was going to be interning at a neuro surgery clinic— they said foreigners weren’t allowed to spend more than 3 hours with a doctor or a patient per day. Which is ridiculous/arbitrary— I ended up having to clear a medical exam to show them I was disease free before they let me have my passport back
BMacAttack - May 14, 2010
Quebec City and Toronto are phenomenal cities.
mvandonsel - May 14, 2010
Wind is blowing out to center
thats not good because KK has had a problem with the longball this year.
bravesforever16 - May 14, 2010
I would like to excersise my right has a TCer
to have a game thread 15 minutes from game time
bravesforever16 - May 14, 2010
you sound like a smoker.
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
Isn’t JT’s K pitch his curveball?
Zeus12888 - May 14, 2010
thats Vizcaino i believe
bravesforever16 - May 14, 2010
They should televise one of our top prospects game when Braves have a off day.
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
who is they?
MacsGlasses - May 14, 2010
CSS or FoxSports South
romone_braves91 - May 14, 2010
anyone know
of an audio link?
MacsGlasses - May 14, 2010
baseballradio dot com
mvandonsel - May 14, 2010
Link?
bravesforever16 - May 14, 2010
My bad…freebaseballradio
mvandonsel - May 14, 2010
which one do we choose there are a million
MacsGlasses - May 14, 2010
Trial and error…depends on what station is playing the game.
mvandonsel - May 14, 2010
http://player.cumulusstreaming.com/SLPLayer.aspx?WMSP-AM
MacsGlasses - May 14, 2010
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