An Atlanta Braves Prospect Recap

by gondeee on Nov 29, 2008 8:00 AM EST in Prospect Reviews Comment 37 comments

Consider this post the blog equivalent of a sitcom clip show. Since we've had so many new readers lately, I thought it would be a good (and easy) idea to rehash all of the Braves prospect reviewin' I did just after the end of the regular season. If you're looking for some holiday reading material, here you go:

First Base: Freddie Freeman, Kala Ka'aihue, Ernesto Mejia, Barbaro Canizares, Alberto Odreman, Daniel Falcon, Gerardo Rodriguez, Ryohei Shimabukuro

Second Base: Travis Jones, Robert Brooks, Diory Hernandez, J.C. Holt, Cole Miles, Elys Blanco

Third Base: Jon Gilmore, Eric Campbell, Van Pope, Adam Coe, Jake Hanson

Shortstop: Brandon Hicks, Brent Lillibridge, Michael Fisher, Shayne Moody, Travis Adair

Catcher: Tyler Flowers, Daniel Elorriaga-Matra, Matt Kennelly, Braeden Schlehuber, Clint Sammons, Christian Betancourt, Phillip Britton

Left Field: Cody Johnson, Luis Sumoza, Willie Cabrera, Matt Young, Layton Hiller

Right Field: Jason Heyward, Jon Owings, Chris Shehan, Concepcion Rodriguez

Center Field: Jordan Schafer, Gorkys Hernandez, Calvin Culver, L.V. Ware, C.J. Lee

RH Starting Pitcher: Tommy Hanson, Julio Teheran, James Parr, Eric Cordier, Jacob Thompson, Randall Delgado, Zeke Spruill, Todd Redmond, Deunte Heath, David Francis, Casey Hodges, Cory Rasmus, Ryne Reynoso, Kyle Cofield, Michael Broadway, Paul Clemens, Kyle Farrell

LH Starting Pitcher: Cole Rohrbough, Jeff Locke, Brett DeVall, Scott Diamond, Richard Sullivan, Edgar Osuna, Jose Ortegano, Johnny Venters, Steve Kent, Steve Evarts, Chad Rodgers, Brett Oberholtzer, Luis Avilan, Dimaster Delgado

Closer: Kris Medlen, Craig Kimbrel, Stephen Marek, Kevin Gunderson, Cory Gearrin, Benino Pruneda, Nick Fellman, Lee Hyde, Rico Reid, Brett Butts, Michael Nix, Tyler Wilson, Luis Valdez, Sung Ki Jung

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hello

Lets see what they can do in the big time!!

by fatazfoot on Nov 29, 2008 8:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

And the photos look like this....

Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward

Brandon Hicks (left) and Travis Jones (right)

Jon Gilmore

Cody Johnson

Tyler Flowers

Jordan Schafer

Tommy Hanson

Cole Rohrbough

Kris Medlen

by secondbass on Nov 29, 2008 9:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

They’re all awesome, but that Cody Johnson one is the best!

by cbwilk on Nov 29, 2008 11:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the great pics. I hope Cody Johnson works on being patient at the plate next season. He would fit in good in the #5 hole in the batting order.

by BravesFan on Nov 29, 2008 11:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I love that flat brim on Medlen, part of his swag

by SayHeyWerd on Nov 29, 2008 12:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Great pics. I didnt realize that Johnson was that thick.

by gopherbroke on Nov 29, 2008 10:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Any sleeper picks to make a big impact and change their standing with the organization? I feel Eric Campbell might have a big year at AA next year.

by BravesFan on Nov 29, 2008 11:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Here are my sleeper picks

Randall Delgado
Benino Pruneda
Robert Brooks
Brett Devall
Cory Rasmus

by colerocks on Nov 29, 2008 3:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m gonna have to go with the Campbell argument for DeVall as well, hard to call a guy a sleeper when he was this year’s first draft pick.

But I do love the pick of Cory Rasmus, and he’d be one I’d pick as well. I’ve actually talked to Cory a few times in the last month and he says his arm is healthy and he’s ready to get spring training started. This kid really hasn’t had a healthy season yet and I think he’s ready to bust out.

Some other picks:
C Matt Kennelly – He’s older and more experienced and I think he’ll have a very solid year with Rome.
P Cory Gearrin – Sidearmers have a tendency to move fast when they click and I think he could see AAA before the year is over.
OF L.V. Ware – There’s just something about this guy. He’s an athlete and a leader.
P Chad Rodgers – Not sure if he fits the sleeper category, but something tells me he’s gonna do well next season.

by cbwilk on Nov 30, 2008 12:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

how is eric campbell a sleeper? everyone knows who he is for the most part.

Following the Braves...one long hard drink at a time.

by bigjoe on Nov 29, 2008 10:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That was my question. I don’t see how a guy who was a first round pick who’s been a league MVP could ever be a sleeper. Now if he feels that Campbell will bust out of his funk of the last few years, that’s another story. I completely disagree, I think 09 will be the year we all finally stop talking about Eric Campbell, but that’s a whole other story as well.

by cbwilk on Nov 30, 2008 12:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well Campbell hasn’t exactly performed up to expectations and it doesn’t seem like he’s held in high regard within the Braves organization since he was drafted. It will be fun to watch who shines this year in our system.

by BravesFan on Nov 30, 2008 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What I meant to say is that no one expects anything from Campbell anymore. That’s why he’s my sleeper pick.

by BravesFan on Nov 30, 2008 11:19 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

When you say that we will all finally stop talking about Eric Campbell, do you mean that you think he will fall off the map?

by tgthree on Nov 30, 2008 10:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s no secret on this blog that I don’t think much of Eric Campbell. Yes, I think AA is going to be too much for him to handle. There’s also the very real possibility that the Braves finally get tired enough of his attitude that they release him, like they did with Dan Smith and Matt Esquivel the last two season. One way or another, I don’t think he’ll be on anyone’s radar after this year.

by cbwilk on Nov 30, 2008 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks. Haven’t been on the blog long enough to know that you don’t like Campbell. Fair assessment, although I question the reality of his “attitude issues”, since it was reported that he struggled with clinical depression. His peak translation from last year stands at .242/.334/.433, which can get you a bench job or maybe even an everyday role on a second-division club. I think there’s still hope here, if indeed the depression is over and done with.

by tgthree on Nov 30, 2008 1:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My personal experience with Campbell has been that he’s nothing but an attitude problem and he’s not exceptionally committed to playing. But, if they’re saying it’s depression, so be it. I personally hope he does well because that’s good for the Braves. But, I don’t see it happening. Take the line from Bull Durham, “He’s got a million dollar arm and a ten cent head,” and apply it to him.

by cbwilk on Nov 30, 2008 3:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

He was diagnosed with depression, I do believe, but that was after he was suspended by the Braves….I want to say he’s been suspended twice by the organization, but I may be wrong about that. The suspensions were allegedly tied to attitude problems.

by secondbass on Nov 30, 2008 5:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you know what he did to get suspended? I heard that too, but don’t recall what they were for.

by BravesFan on Nov 30, 2008 5:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No, I’m not sure if I ever knew. I remember him in 2005 in Rome – not a very nice guy at all with the fans, very lackadasical in the field….I remember clearly how he’d act if a ball got past him at third, he’d just kind of stand there watching it go out to left field (or sit on his rump as was often the case). He just acted like he was amazed that a ball could actually get past him, and he put on quite a show about it. That’s not that big of a deal, I guess, excpet that on more than one occasion, he wasn’t there to take a relay throw or back up a base because he was busy acting like a tough guy.
In spring training this year, he got yelled at by a coach for not running out a grounder. He snubbed my 10 year old kid, too, so he got another bad mark on my list, which I know upset him more than words can say. I’m serious about that – not the list, the snub.
I saw him again this past season in Myrtle Beach, and it looked to me like nothing had changed. Mind you, I saw him play in around 30 games in 2005 in Rome and only 6 in Myrtle Beach, but it was the same story…..not backing up bases, no hustle….stuff like that.
I can only speculate, but I’d guess that aspect of his attitude (seeming lack of interest in the game) got him suspended. And for anyone who knows, hasn’t he been suspended twice?

by secondbass on Nov 30, 2008 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That’s a shame. Who does a minor leaguer think he is snubbing fans anyway? Not that I condone that type of behavior of ML ballplayers….lol

by BravesFan on Nov 30, 2008 8:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You be amazed how often it happens. Fortunately it’s only about one out of every 50 guys, but over the course of a season it happens plenty.

by cbwilk on Nov 30, 2008 10:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He was suspended twice, once last August and again this April, both for attitude problems. I’m not sure if there were any specific incidents or just a culmination of things. secondbass is dead on in his assessment.

by cbwilk on Nov 30, 2008 10:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Depression

If you’ve ever dealt with depression, you’ll know that when you’re suffering from it, you’re not exceptionally committed to anything. Have you been able to talk with Campbell since he’s been diagnosed?

by buzzdeadwax on Dec 1, 2008 5:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know when he was diagnosed, or if he was, but I was around him in Spring Training (he actually was the best I’ve ever seen, but he’s always OK in ST), in June (good old Soup then), in August (again, same Soup), and in September during the Carolina League Championship (seemed as outgoing to his teammates as I’d ever seen, but same old Soup to the fans). It’s hard to say I’ve talked with him since I’ve never been able to start a conversation with the guy. He’ll mumble something and sneer and head off quickly.
I’ve dealt with depression, real depression, plenty, both personally and with close friends, and I get your point. If that’s what it is then I hope he’s getting help and he’ll be able to turn things around, because it’d be a positive for the Braves. But, I just don’t think it’ll happen. The guy has been like this since his first summer in the organization, and I don’t see it changing.

by cbwilk on Dec 2, 2008 1:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know where I saw it, but it was an article about Tyler Flowers, and Flowers was talking about getting hitting tips from Campbell. Flowers kind of made it sound like Campbell pretty much knew what the pitcher was going to throw all the time and he was some sort of hitting savant. It would really be a waste of talent to throw it away.

On another note, it’s really neat to read your posts and your perspective on the young players. Thank you.

by buzzdeadwax on Dec 2, 2008 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, I’m pretty passionate about baseball, especially minor league ball, and even more so about the Braves.

I agree, it’s pretty obvious that Campbell has talent and it’s always a shame to see guys with talent who won’t do the things they need to do to succeed. George Lombard comes to mind as a guy with all the skills in the world who just wouldn’t adapt and do the little things that he needed to succeed above AA. Again, I hope he figures it out.

And I know it’s a terrible comparison, but that stuff about Flowers and Campbell (really interesting by the way) sound a lot like how I was playing ball growing up. I knew up and down how to play the game and how to take apart a pitcher or a hitter, but I didn’t have the physical skills to do anything with that knowledge. All through little league and high school I was basically an extra coach on the teams I played on because I helped everyone else get better. I know it’s on par with Campbell’s situation, but that’s what it made me think of.

by cbwilk on Dec 2, 2008 1:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Since McCann is locked in at catcher

could a possible Flowers move to LF be likely? Or Flowers to 1B and Freeman to LF?

I know that's a pisser, baby.

by Blicks on Nov 29, 2008 2:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I dont either would be athletic enough to play left, Freemans a couple years of way so I think we just be patient and let tyhem grow at catcher and first and we’ll deal with it later.

by SayHeyWerd on Nov 29, 2008 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not likely...

Freeman is supposed to be a very good defensive 1st baseman.

by Little Lady on Nov 29, 2008 3:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Flowers isn't athletic enough to play LF.

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by RainDelay on Nov 29, 2008 11:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Heyward could play left

If Francoeur decides to realize his potential. I still think he can if he works hard enough and doesn’t turn into Andruw Jones.

by scottyboy10 on Nov 29, 2008 11:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think you've got it backwards

Under the assumption Francoeur realizes his potential, and the Braves don’t trade him when Heyward is ready, I think Heyward would move Frenchy to LF. I’ll admit I have not seen Heyward play that much, but what I have seen tells me he is more athletic and faster than Frenchy. He appears to run much more fluid routes to balls in the outfield and most MLB teams prefers their better defenders play RF.

Lots of assumptions here, but this is my two cents.

by scstrato on Nov 30, 2008 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think at the moment, yes Heyward is more athletic than Frenchy, but he’s also six years younger. At the same age I don’t think there’s a contest, Frenchy was much more athletic. He played center, a position that Heyward simply wouldn’t be able do on a regular basis. By the time Heyward reaches the majors, I’d guess the advantage of his age will have dwindled, he has the body type that will add weight and strength, and that Francoeur will remain the better option in right. This isn’t to say that I don’t think Heyward could be an above average defender in the outfield, but he just won’t be as good as Francoeur.

by cbwilk on Nov 30, 2008 3:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If both are ready, Francoeur will likely remain in right for two reasons:

1) Francoeur has a much better arm than Heyward; Frenchy’s is one of the best anywhere, and it would see far less use in left field.

2) Heyward is likely to fill out quite a bit before he reaches the majors. He won’t be a hulking slugger or anything, but a lot of people see a Derrek Lee-type body. That’s not to say he won’t be athletic, but his range will probably not be quite as good as the svelter Francoeur’s. He’ll probably be able to handle right if need be, but I can’t see him being a better defensive RF than Frenchy.

by tgthree on Nov 30, 2008 3:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

Heyward would be the one to play left. He’s already been having knee problems (which could be just from playing so much more than he ever has.) Plus, if Bobby’s there Frenchy isn’t gonna swich positions for a rookie unless it’s terribly obvious they need to.

by Little Lady on Nov 30, 2008 5:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This may all be a moot point since Francoeur might not be with the team by the time Heyward comes up. If you figure Heyward will have at least 2 more years in the minors, Francoeur will be in the last year of arbitration or the Braves will have already gotten rid of him by that time.

by BravesFan on Nov 30, 2008 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs