Excerpt from BA hotlist from this week...

by gopherbroke on Jun 27, 2008 4:58 PM EDT Comment 12 comments

Dan from Atlanta asks:
Schafer, Heyward, Hernandez, Jones, and Francoeur; Who are the odd man out for Braves outfield spots?

Matt Eddy: Heyward is in the picture, definitely, and let's give the benefit of the doubt to Francoeur, assuming the Braves don't trade him. (They've renewed his contract each of the past two seasons, rather than reaching an agreement on salary, and you wonder if that may affect their relationship.)

Matt Eddy: That leaves two spots to fill. Jones can't match Hernandez or Schafer in terms of speed or defense, and both outfield corners are already filled, so Jones is out.

Matt Eddy: Hernandez vs. Schafer is largely a matter of taste. Hernandez bats righthanded and offers better speed and defense, while Schafer bats lefty and has proven himself at a higher level. Tough call, but I'll say Schafer.

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Well

my opinion is that Schafer will be a good player, but Gorkys has the ability to become a superstar player. I believe he will be the next Carl Crawford. You just dont trade that away. If you have to you let Frenchy walk when he is a free agent and keep BOTH Schafer and Gorkys. Or if Freeman or any other First baseman dont get the job done in higher minors and we dont resign Tex then maybe we can move Heyward to First. We have alot of options and a Very good problem to have.

braves#1

by rockybull on Jun 27, 2008 8:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i have this nagging feeling francoeur gets traded or nontendered by 2010

by bigjoe on Jun 27, 2008 8:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gorkys vs. Schafer Defense

I might be wrong but I thought Schafer was hailed for being a wizard with the glove. Does this mean that Gorkys is just that good or that Schafer isnt as good as people have said?

by atl14yearsschaffer on Jun 27, 2008 10:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thats exactly what i was thinking when we i was reading this, I was under the impression Schafer was some kind defense wizard, and that Gorkys has less defensive ability but greater speed and possibly greater potential as far as defense goes. Also, I think the biggest thing Schafer has going for him is his 50 game suspension. And this may seem odd to say, but hear me out. Throughout the ordeal, he said its not what it is being made out to be, but im gonna accept my suspension and come back and play. I believe there resides this giant chip on his shoulder I don’t think prior to this he was completely motivated to be great, he already seemed to think he was “the shit”. I think he feels he has something to prove to everyone and alot of times thats when a player plays his best, when he is trying to prove everyone wrong. So in summation i would like to see us move Heyward to first, and have an outfield of gorkys in left, schafer in center and frenchy in right (assuming these struggles arent a permanent thign)

by Swo12bv on Jun 28, 2008 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a nice thought, but...

This problem of potentially having too many good young players at the same position has come up plenty of times, not just for the Braves, but for all teams, and as nice as it is in theory, it never works out the way you plan it. Somebody won’t live up to their expectations, somebody will get hurt, somebody will get traded, or something else will happen that will prevent the perfect scenario from happening. Now I really like all the guys we’re talking about here, both as players and as people, and I’d love nothing better than for all of them to reach their maximum potential and be superstars in Atlanta that reel off another 14 straight division titles and about that many World Series trophies, but history says that won’t happen.
Hypotheticals aside, having seen both Schafer and Hernadez play, Gorkys can’t touch Jordan in center. He’s a great outfielder, probably faster, but Jordan is just plain better, better at reading the ball, better at getting to it, and a much better arm. Both are fantastic players and seeing them hit 1-2 for Atlanta for years would be awesome.

by cbwilk on Jun 28, 2008 1:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on the defense

I’ve only watched Gorkys play 6 games in person – and he was very good, mind you – but I’ve watched Schafer play for a season and a half, and Schafer’s defense is no less than amazing. I’ve always kind of reined in my praise I guess because I saw him in Rome, but I suppose defense is defense, and he is fun to watch.
I like Gorkys’ defense, but I love Schafer’s. And I’m a scout! (Okay, no I’m not. But I really sound like I’m laying down the law like I’m somebody or something!)

by secondbass on Jun 28, 2008 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jordan...

Having played with Jordan since I was 10 there is just something about him. He has won everywhere he has been. He has the ability to carry a team for a long period of time. He hits for power, as someone pointed out over 50% of his hits this year are for extra bases, he will always hits for a high avg. because of his knowledge of the strike zone, and he has the most amazing baseball IQ that I have ever been around. He gets great jumps, he has the smarts on the base paths that make him just as fast as any other player in the game (the way he gets jumps off of pitchers ect…) He has a way above average arm, I think people forget it was a HUGE surprise the braves drafted him as an outfielder, he threw 91-93 as a senior in highschool and had an ERA under 1, with a great 12-6 curve ball and a filthy slide piece…. the all around game is second to none. I think that Hernandez could turn out to be a very good lead off hitter in the bigs, but I think it is easier to find a solid guy to hit lead off than it is to find a 5 tool outfielder who has been compared alot to Josh Hamilton.

by Choptalk on Jun 28, 2008 8:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

find me that comparison.

There isn’t a writer I know of who would make it. Josh Hamilton was a once in a life time prospect before he screwed himself over. The guy degraded his body to shit, and is still a world class athlete.

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by cgilmo78 on Jun 29, 2008 4:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wondered about that comparison, too

I never heard it either. I wonder if Choptalk meant to say Grady Sizemore? That seems to be the most common comparison to Schafer….

by secondbass on Jun 29, 2008 6:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It wasn’t Calis, and it wasn’t Goldstien….

Maybe Sickles?

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by cgilmo78 on Jun 29, 2008 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

if everybody stays healthy and produces in the minors, thats a big if then put Heyward at First, Gorkys in LF, Schafer in CF, and Frenchy in RF. And if Frenchy eye problem gets worst and worst then Heyward in RF, Schafer in CF, and Gorkys in LF. No reason why we cant have Heyward, Schafer, and Gorkys on the same team at the SAME time.

braves#1

by rockybull on Jun 28, 2008 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Honestly right now Jordan Schafer is our best OF prospect even with the suspension. Since he has come back he has an OPS around 1.000 and half his hits are XBH. That is good. I think the Gorkys, Schafer, Heyward OF is our best long term if Francouer doesn’t improve in the next season or so. Those three could bat 1-2-3 for us also and we’d be more than fine.

by yondaime4 on Jun 28, 2008 6:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs