Baseball America points out a nice side story to Monday's expected debut of Mike Minor:
The Braves unveiled Jair Jurrjens in 2008 and Tommy Hanson in '09. Now, get ready for stud rookie pitcher, v2010.
An interesting corollary to the number that's being retired at Turner Field tonight. I'll go ahead and remind you that the last time this happened it was Tom Glavine in 1987, John Smoltz in '88, and we'll go with either Kent Merker or Derek Lilliquist in '89, but then we got Steve Avery in 1990.
And just think, we've had Jurrjens in '08, Hanson in '09, and now Minor in '10, but we could just keep going and expect Julio Teheran in '11, Randall Delgado in '12, Carlos Perez in '13, and so on. Those future names are not too far off base. What other team can boast such continued pitching development? Maybe the Rays.
Those young pitchers from the late 80's built the core of the Braves that dominated the National League for years. It looks like we're building another nice young core of great pitching.
Baseball America continues their praise of Minor:
Triple-A Gwinnett LHP Mike Minor will make his Atlanta debut on Monday as he eases into the big leagues by facing the hapless Astros, ye of a National League-worst .667 OPS. With 10 strikeouts (against just four walks) this week, Minor pushed his whiff total to 146, fourth best in the minors. He allowed two hits over 8 2/3 scoreless innings as he tuned up for the big day. Minor will become the fourth first-round pitcher from '09 to make his big league debut this season, joining Stephen Strasburg, Mike Leake and Drew Storen
0 recs | 28 comments
Nice post...
Not to mention Medlen, Venters, Kimbrel…Etc…Wow…Combined with Prado, J-Hey, B-Mac, and Freeman this team can be amazing for many, many years…
Jman781 - August 6, 2010
+1000
Plus he might not be but i see alot of glavine in minor. Cant wait for monday, trutfully other than the rays/we have the best farm system bar none. People wait for us to let someone go on waivers so they can be claimed. i.e royals,pirates, etc…
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - August 6, 2010
As far as young pitching goes...
I would say that we are better than the Rays.
GouldisGold - August 6, 2010
Truthfully** As do I...
But i didnt want to come across as to arrogant lol.
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - August 6, 2010
Note:
It is unlikely that things will turn out as well for these young aces as they did for Glavine and Smoltz. I want all the kids out there to remember this. Be excited, but don’t be insane.
Thrashy Thrashy - August 6, 2010
BOOOOO!!!!!
Pessimist!! But seriously though, TINSTAAPP.
buzzdeadwax - August 6, 2010
In my eyes
There will never be another Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz period!
Though I hope all these young arms make a name for themselves and become icons of a new generation!
TCfromDubVee - August 6, 2010
The good thing with that is...
that we have excess in reserve for anyone that fails to live up to their hype. In addition to Jurrjens, Hanson, and Minor, plus Teheran, Delgado, and Perez (that’s 6), there’s Medlen, Robinson Lopez, JJ Hoover, Brett Devall, Zeke Spruill, Andy Otero, Abraham Espinosa, and a handful of others working their way up through the system. Between those 13 names, and the rest of talented arms in the system, I’d say we’ve got a good chance at finding 5 quality starters.
Mr. Sanchez - August 6, 2010
this
We have the Big Four then a ton of guys who could be middle of the rotation/back end of the rotation guys.
Braves24 - August 6, 2010
other Delgado
Don’t forget about the second Delgado who could come back from his car crash injury to be another solid arm for the organization.
JFP - August 6, 2010
I really hope he can come back strong. It’ no guarantee, plenty of guys have had these freak off-field injuries and never returned, but hopefully his injury wasn’t that severe.
cbwilk - August 6, 2010
I forgot to list Vizcaino too...
so yeah, we’ve got plenty of possibilities for the 2015 rotation.
Mr. Sanchez - August 6, 2010
I’m not sure exactly what to expect out of Minor because I definitely never expected to see him up so soon, but if he does as well as JJ and Tommy did their first seasons with us, I will be more than pleased.
sleezer1788 - August 6, 2010 via mobile
Don't forget Medlen.
hailtogeorgia - August 6, 2010
Yeah. I’d put Medlen as this year’s stud pitcher (not sure if he’s technically still a rookie). Minor can be next year’s.
redwards95 - August 6, 2010
We're so stacked
that people seem to forget about the Lopez/Delgado’s … those guys would be big names for other organizations
kbertling353 - August 6, 2010
I know he’s hurt but there’s also Vizcaino.
fylr71 - August 6, 2010
Yeah
And he was only the second best prospect from the yankees lol. Id say were loaded.
SkipTOoMyL0U_ - August 6, 2010
This makes me smile.
It’s not crazy to think that the 2010-2020 Braves will be as good as the Braves of the late 90’s/early 2000’s.
GouldisGold - August 6, 2010
this
The rotation could be absolute dominant if everything turns out right, and still would be above average if people don’t pan out.
Braves24 - August 6, 2010
Big difference here...
Where the Rays were finishing last in the majors for the better part of 15 years, we were winning division titles…
So, developing talent drafted lower over developing the 1st pick of every round for a decade should be valued more highly.
Screw the Rays….let us finish last for 5 years, and we’d have nowhere to put all of our performing prospects…
flyers13 - August 6, 2010
Braves scouts
Don’t get the credit they deserve.
kauf67 - August 6, 2010
smoltz
when are the braves going to retire john smoltzs Jersey?
jayball - August 6, 2010
my guess is...
they’re giving each one their own season for number retiring, id be very surprised if it wasn’t next year
CoxXx - August 6, 2010
Also, he should probably officially retire first.
UMDBHIK - August 6, 2010
This
My guess would be this time next year.
Pavy848 - August 7, 2010
If the Braves can make the financial commitment to keep this pitching around, the next Atlanta Braves dynasty could be just getting underway.
UMDBHIK - August 6, 2010
This stuff needs to be our main focus for the next few years.
Even if we take our lumps, like we did in ’89 and ’90. Hopefully, when Cox is finally shuttled off, we can stop chasing faded glory and get serious about the future.
Sam Jethroe - August 7, 2010
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