Gwinnett 5, Charlotte 2
Freddie Freeman had a perfect night, reaching all 4 times he came to the plate, including 2 doubles, a walk, and a hit by pitch.. He even added a steal for good measure. Troy Glaus struck out twice, but he also reached on a pair of walks and played an errorless third base. Matt Young stays hot, collecting a pair of hits. In his last 10, he's hitting .368 with a 1.007 OPS and 9 stolen bases. Joe Thurston is having a hot August, hitting .321 with a .895 OPS in 81 at bats. Of course it's also his 8th AAA season and, so far, statistically his worst. Todd Redmond hasn't found much consistency this year, but when he's on, he's something else. In 2 years of AAA, he's 18-16, with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP.
Mississippi 8, Jacksonville 2
Randall Delgado's 6th AA start was his best overall, and he picked up his first win with Mississippi. Walks had been killing him, so it's very encouraging to see him give up just 1 free pass tonight. Kyle Cofield has seemed like a future reliever for a few years, and he threw 2 scoreless tonight in his second straight relief appearances. He's tossed 9.2 scoreles with a 0.62 WHIP in 5 releif apperances this year, compared to his 5.31 ERA and 1.60 WHIP in 40.2 innings as a starter. Mauro Gomez has been slugging all season, but tonight he stole his first base, just his 6th in 565 career games. Tyler Pastornicky's night was a lot like his short tenure with the Braves, filled with promise but earmarked with concerns. But, since he's so new to the organization, it's easy to forget that he's only 20 years old and is making some huge strides as a player.
Myrtle Beach - Off
Rome 2, West Virginia 1
The Braves invested a lot of money into Christian Bethancourt and Edward Salcedo, and while 2010 hasn't always been kind to them, tonight was a great example of the promise they show. Betahncourt has been hot in his last 10, hitting .357 with a .821 OPS. He's finally showing some slugging ability, but, unfortunately, still hasn't learned how to take a walk. But, uh, oh yeah, he's only 18, so things can, and probably will, get much better. Steve Kent made his first start since 2008 and while he only went 3 innings it was a continuation of his domiant season. He's been limited by pitch counts since he's returning from Tommy John surgery, but a 0.89 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in 30.1 innings, as well as 13.3 K/9 and 6.4 K/BB, are just plain filthy stats.
Danville 1, Kingsport 7
David Filak's innings have been very limitted all year. In his 2nd start he tossed 5 innings, and in his 6th start he tossed 6, but in his other 7 appearances he's thrown 13 innings combined. His overall numbers are good, a 2.25 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP and 9.4 K/9 in 24 innings. Andrelton Simmons' overall numbers aren't that impressive, a .261 average and a .665 OPS, but in his last 10 he's hitting .361 with a .929 OPS. If he can end the year strong it's really going to give him a lot of confidence going forward as a hitter, and maybe stave off all the talk of making him into a pitcher (of which I've been as guilty as anyone).
GCL Braves - Postponed, Rain
The Orlando Braves' season finale is this coming Saturday, but with a hurricane looming in the Atlantic Ocean you have to wonder how many of those games they'll be able to get in.
0 recs | 42 comments
cb, if I am ever a professional baseball player, remind me to never not sign for you. lol
You are brutal to guys who don’t sign (Thurston in this case) – but you speak the truth too!
justincredubil02 - August 24, 2010
Haha. He signs…sometimes. I’m just glad that Brooks Conrad has proven my entire offseason and ST worth of arguing that he was the better option to be right.
cbwilk - August 24, 2010
Yup. That one is quite clear.
justincredubil02 - August 24, 2010
Glaus Report here
I went to the game tonight and will also see 6 of the team’s final 7 games, so I’ll give a Glaus report every night when he plays. Side note, I sat behind his wife tonight and it was fun watching her go text people after he batted, and responded to either cheers or heckles from the crowd.
Tonight
Hitting: the two strikeouts were ugly, 6 pitches combined, and both were swung and miss and really just pitiful AB’s. the two walks showed good patience, but he had exactly 0 good cuts on the night.
Fielding: he essentially had four balls hit where he could have had a play on the ball.
Will keep everyone posted on what he does the rest of the next week
elucas91 - August 24, 2010
That third one is exactly what I was figuring was going to be the case. Good stuff, looking forward to seeing these.
cbwilk - August 24, 2010
In reference to the 1st play, I’m not sure how a ball that 99% of mlb players don’t make a play on, and if they do it makes the Top 10, is an indication that he can’t play the position.
I was hoping he would have a few more days of rest, personally, but I am also willing to give him more than 1 game at 3B in a year to see if he can still play there.
justincredubil02 - August 24, 2010
Could have phrased it better I guess
It’s not really that he didn’t make the play, it’s that he was decently close to the line and either got a horrible jump on the ball, or just assumed he couldn’t get to it, because he didn’t start really going to his right until it had hit the bag and gone into foul territory.
I agree that one game is really not a representation of what a man can do, and I actually really supported this idea because it is a low risk move. I’m going again tonight so if he’s playing I’ll let everyone know how he looks.
elucas91 - August 24, 2010
I watched the 1st half of the game on CSS, I thought he looked OK, but nothing special. The 2 K’s were very ugly, the ball that hit the bag, might have gotten on past him anyway. He certainly was running slowly to chase it down, Upton and HanRam got set down for trotting faster than Glaus was running after that ball.
bighop - August 24, 2010
Can we get a Freeman report?
Jay212033 - August 24, 2010
Why Not
First double was a nice little looper down the left field line that was just well placed.
Second double was a hard ground ball hit perfectly down the left field.
Both walks were solid,, 6-7 pitch at bats (the HBP came with 3 balls anyway and I REALLY don’t think it hit him, but the OBP stays the same either way)
Defensively, he made every play that came his way or was thrown his way fine.
But this thing got me thinking to maybe make a big post about Freeman and a couple of other G Braves and how they look as I’ve seen em 25+ times this year.
elucas91 - August 24, 2010
From a Phillies fan's point of view.
Now this is just my prospective but, I’ve been very impressed with the way the Braves have managed the roster over the last few years in getting the pitching rotation that is good enough to win not only in the regular season but, the playoffs as well. When you add in a closer that may not be top tier but damn close they have a chance to win every game. I do question not going out and getting a big time bat before the trade deadline someone like a Prince Fielder from a team that isn’t in the hunt and looking to build for the future,
Now when you look at the formula for winning in the postseason it’s 1 top tier pitcher Ex. Sabathia, Cliff Lee someone along those lines and 2 more really good pitchers who on any given day can go out and give you 7 shutout innings (and this is the part that scares me most about facing the Braves in post season) Hanson and Jurrjens fit that mold. Add in a closer who is 30 for 37 maybe not the definition of lights out but definitely a top 5 guy in the NL.
I’m not a believer in the Padres or the Reds. I don’t know why they just don’t seem like they have the grit to perform under pressure and win big game when it counts. That being said this last week I’ve watched Braves win 2 or 3 games in the 8th or 9th and once again as a Phillies fan I don’t like watching a team build that type of confidence late in the season. The road the WS is going to be going through the EAST and as a long time Baseball fan I remember the years when it was almost a given that ATL or NYM were going to win the division and, to not only watch but, be in the tick of a pennant race this late in the season is something newer fans don’t really appreciate and, won’t until their team lets them down and under achieves the entire season.
For a healthy Phillies team being back 2.5 games with something like 40 games left is almost nothing. The Phillies have 2 series coming up against the Braves and, I think those series are going to be what decides the division. I’m just hoping that we can pull even with them by that time. The way the division stands its taking 5 of 6 (as it stands anything less will give the division to ATL) will be next to imposable. They are a big bat short of being a downright scary team. I’ve been saying it all year the road to the WS goes though the EAST and, I don’t see any team getting past the Braves or the Phillies in a 3 or 5 game series. Now if the postseason starts today I see the Phillies taking out the Padres in 3 or 4 games and the Braves taking downing The Reds in 4 maybe 3 games or, The Cards in 5. It’s going to be a dog fight from here on out, I’ve made a few posts on why I don’t want to see the Braves in the Postseason.
Here to an exciting late Aug / Sep and the Phillies taking the Division with enough time to get the rotation in order for October baseball.
With that being said
Thank you Braves for making Baseball exciting every day from praying for rain every time Kendrick or, Blanton takes the mound, hoping a .500 baseball team can throw a monkey wrench into the Braves win the division plans, to scoreboard watching before during and, after the game.
Postscript,
Wasn’t it fun watching the Muts fall apart just after the trade deadline throwing away their playoff hopes and, best chance to build for the future.
sowhatifitisasportste - August 24, 2010
Nice post dude. Thanks for sharing!
justincredubil02 - August 24, 2010
Both the Phillies and Braves play extremely well at home. That’s why I think the winner of the East is WS bound. I may be a bit partly to Philly but, with the Halladay, Hamels, Oswalt, Halladay, Blanton, Hamels, Oswalt, and Rotation over a 7 game series I don’t see any teams aside from the Braves hanging with them. Cards have CY Young nominee but, I Would personally put Halladay against anyone in the NL right now. Then you half to deal with Hamels who Post ASB has given up something like 5 runs in 6 starts I wouldn’t mind matching him up with anyone’s number 2 and Oswalt being the best #3 guy in the MLB. Nobody has the Pitching Depth that Philly has. The only bad thing is the bats are streaky. I’ll watch them put up 10 runs playing small ball in CBP the last place you want to relay on the "get em on get em over get em in" strategy where anyone at the plate can park one.
sowhatifitisasportste - August 24, 2010
Here is where we disagree. Yes, Halladay is better than anything we currently have, but I would take our 2-5 over anyone’s including Philly’s. I would rather have Hanson, JJ than Hamels, Oswalt. And your BP is in sad shape, while ours is second only to SD’s.
The only question is if Halladay is sufficiently better than Hudson to make up the difference in the rest of the pitching. I’m not sure he is.
justincredubil02 - August 24, 2010
Madson aka 8th inning pitcher has given up runs in 2 of his last 15 innings and, Lidge hasn’t blown a save in 8 games and has only blown 1 in his last 15 chances Knock on wood I think he’s figured out that slider / slider / slider /slider is not the way to pitch these ML hitters.
sowhatifitisasportste - August 24, 2010
thats the thing…everyone knows if Lidge figures it out he can be a top tier closer…but he is always one big HR from falling apart…it seems…but when he is going good, there arnt a lot better than him. Madson is real good too, but you need another guy or two to have a more solid bullpen, but your top two are real solid…
The Braves bullpen is built specifically to beat the Phillies, with O Flaherty, Venters, and Wagner we have three good lefties to throw at the heart of your order and stop most rallies.
I am still worried and still think the Phillies are too close, I’d be happy to see you be 3-4 games back right now 2.5 just isnt enough. Good luck going forward Its always nice to have a discussion with the otehr side when they act respectfully.
Swo12bv - August 24, 2010
I have a good friend who lives in NY and follows the Mets. His take on things is that the reality is that the Mets simply played over their heads earlier in the season and were not really ever a true playoff contender. He’s been telling me all season long that the Mets would fall apart.
I think you are right that the Braves-Phillies series will be the key to the season for both teams.
I’m guessing that you don’t actually live in Philly as I’m finding it absolutely impossible to believe that anyone who lives there could actually say anything nice about any other team in any sport.
Zontar - August 24, 2010
I’m in NJ, and don’t get me wrong I still wouldn’t mind seeing the entire Braves team die in a fire during one of thier gay orgys I’m sure they get down on. But, no reason fans can’t discuss sports in a respecfull and inteligent manor.
sowhatifitisasportste - August 24, 2010
LOL! Funniest comment I’ve seen in a long time here!
Zontar - August 24, 2010
This
I’m thinking of adding it to my sig. Nicely done.
buzzdeadwax - August 24, 2010
This trend makes me uncomfortable.
VivaLosBravos - August 24, 2010
Random Question
I wasn’t here when Prado and Infante were coming through the minor leagues, but how were they regarded as prospects?
thejheykid - August 24, 2010
Infante was not in the minors in Atlanta.
justincredubil02 - August 24, 2010
Prado was considered as a utility player at best, and was never a top 10 prospect in our system.
Infante was a part of Detroit’s system and I believe was thought about the same as Prado. He had a nice season at AA as a 19 year old though.
bwellnjonesco - August 24, 2010
If the Braves intentions is of having Simmons as a pitcher, why don’t they try to expedite his weaknesses at the plate by moving him up a level or two? It seems he will hit just enough at Danville to give him reason to believe he can stick at shortstop. He’s a little old for rookie ball anyway.
BravesFan - August 24, 2010
It’s not like they want him to fail as a hitter. They are giving him the same chance as anybody gets.
It’s going to be an interesting situation next year, as we have alot of middle infield depth now and not many spots for Simmons to play. I expect Salcedo and Lipka to be at Rome, so maybe they jump Simmons up to Myrtle for a try. Anyone think they might let him pitch and hit some next season?
bwellnjonesco - August 24, 2010
he signed as a SS, was primarily a SS in his one year of college ball and seems to have done very well at SS in Danville. so, no, I seriously doubt they’ll mess with switching him around.
fandave - August 24, 2010
He was signed as a SS, but the Braves drafted him as a pitcher. Considering the depth at shortstop, it seems he might have to split time there with someone else. I don’t think it is out of the question letting him pitch out of the pen a little. That’s what he did at Western Oklahoma State.
bwellnjonesco - August 24, 2010
I agree its not out of the question, but I’d be surprised if that happened.
Also, I’m not necessarily convinced that the Braves drafted him as a pitcher, although I recall it being reported as such here (and likely elsewhere), but it sure seems odd they’d spend a very high pick and not know ahead of time about what the player wanted to do, positionally speaking.
fandave - August 24, 2010
He was drafted as pitcher, signed as a shortstop.
cbwilk - August 24, 2010
it doesnt make sense…he needs to concentrate on one or the other…the Red Sox lost an entire year of development letting Casey Kelly screw around like that. its a waste, because he can’t devote hiimself to either job.
Swo12bv - August 24, 2010
my understanding is he has a good chance of maturing into an elite defensive SS, with outstanding quickness and hands and an absolute rocket laucher arm. add to that plus foot speed / base-running and stealing (17 / 21) ability and the ability to make consistent contact (only 12 K in 211 AB), and there is tons to like about this kid’s upside potential
also, on the age issue, he’s about to be 21, but just entered professional baseball after coming to the US from a remote 3rd world country and playing only 1 year of Division II, Junior College ball at Western Oklahoma State.
fandave - August 24, 2010
Matt Young.
Not sure if its been mentioned previously, but …
International League Player of the Week.
This is his second International League Player of the Week this season.
Also, the little dude is tied for second in the league in runs scored (a very under-valued stat, IMO), is fourth in doubles, is tied for second in stolen bases (32 / 37 = 85+%), plays solid defense at multiple positions, and has a slash line of .298 /.376 /.411.
fandave - August 24, 2010
He's awesome
He would be a great September callup because he’d be the best pinch run option we would have, but since they seem so stingy about using 40 man roster spots, I’m not sure it’ll happen.
But he should definitely get a shot nexr spring to win a backup job in Atlanta. No need to go sign a free agent OF to be the 4th or 5th OF when we’ve got a guy like this in the system already.
elucas91 - August 24, 2010
I love how nobody pointed out how you spelled Minor ‘Mionr’. Kind of funny since we’re all such grammar freaks and fail searches around here
GoBravesNY - August 24, 2010
that was clearly a typographical error, they are generally left alone, unless it is a newer individual and they deserve it (because they are unknown obviously)
Swo12bv - August 24, 2010
PWN THE NEWBS!
justincredubil02 - August 25, 2010
It was just a matter of time before Delgado would dominate. He had a great outing and shows even more how impressive Teheran has been. If FF continues to hit like this the rest of the season, then I was completely wrong about his development time
Braves24 - August 24, 2010 via mobile
I think most of the world is
Swo12bv - August 24, 2010
Best farm systems
I would like to get everyone’s opinion on who has the best all around farm system in major league baseball. Maybe everyone’s top 3.
heyward4prez - August 24, 2010 via mobile
probably the Rays, the Rangers are there (but have graduated a lot of guys), the Braves are near the top, the Red Sox have a very deep system, although not a lot of impact players, I’m sure I’m missing a couple of teams (possibly Rockies, Diamondbacks, As)
Swo12bv - August 24, 2010
FYI that is off the top of my head without doing any real research so I’ll try to actually give some evidence)
the Rays have a ton of impact players (Hellickson, Jennings, the SS they drafted nbr 1 two years ago)
Rangers have Martin Perez, and I think a couple of guys in the low minors
Braves, obviosuly we know
Red Sox have Kelly, Kalish, Westmoreland, Iglesias, Rizzo, and a personal favorite Stolmy Pimentel
Rockies have a ton of good pitching, Friedrich, Brotherrs, Matzuk, Chacin, and EY Jr looks to be adecent 2B
the A have chris carter (all he does is catch TDs), JEmille Weeks, and the 3B from USC they just drafted last year, Green
I was horribly wrong about the dbacks, i just assumed they would have a good system because they had so many picks last year and have traded for a lot of prospects, but apparently they suck…but i would like to add the Indians into the mix (although with graduating Santana and LaPorta they are probably out of the top 5
Swo12bv - August 24, 2010
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