Braves Winter League Recap: 10/15-10/16

by yondaime4 on Oct 17, 2009 12:39 AM EDT in Minor League Recaps Comment 7 comments

Sorry last night's didn't get put up, I was out and about, but I'll play catch up tonight.

10/15

Peoria Javelins 17, Peoria Saguaros 9

J. Heyward 1-4 BB
B. Hicks 2-5

The Saguaros appear to be having a tough go of it so far in the AFL. Heyward has a hit in every game so far and Brandon Hicks hasn't been overmatched. Our pitchers pitched well in the game they all appeared in, but none of the other pitchers appear able to get guys out.

Culiacan 2, Navajoa 5 - Game 1 - 7 Innings

M. Young 2-3 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, K
C. Rodriguez 0-3 K
T. Gustafson 5IP 4H 1R 1BB 2K

Matt Young is just going to play his way into the Braves plans I do believe. He has enough skills to really be a help on the big club. He won't ever have much pop, but he has speed and on base ability and good defense in the OF. All of those things can help a team win. Concepcion Rodriguez has been solid so far in Mexico, just not tonight. Tim Gustafson was solid however. Tim put together a solid year between a couple of levels switching between starting and relieving and seems poised to continue that in Mexico.

Culiacan 4, Navojoa 3 - Game 2 - 7 Innings

M. Young 0-3 BB
C. Rodriguez 0-2 2BB, K

Nothing much going on here.

10/16

Peoria Saguaros 3, Peoria Javelins 13

F. Freeman 1-4 BB, 2K
B. Hicks 1-4 K

Really. this Saguaros team has yet to win a game I believe. Freddie Freeman did pick up his first hit of the fall and Brandon Hicks has hit in two straight and has 3K in 3 games.

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The Saguaros have one of the most poorly constructed AFL rosters I’ve ever seen. Due to the nature of the AFL, there aren’t really many elite pitchers on it. Which is the default—teams don’t send many elite pitchers to the AFL. But when you look at the infield, they have a couple of 1B and 4 SS’s. No natural 2B and no natural 3B. I bet Brandon Hicks will get plenty of starts at 3B just due to the nature of the roster. I don’t think they’re going to win many games. Of course, that’s not really important as far as we’re concerned.

http://www.capitolavenueclub.com/

by PWHjort on Oct 17, 2009 1:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I remember seeing Gustafson on some top 10 Atlanta Braves Prospects list a few years back…

I think it was Top Prospect Alert.

"Hey Fat Kid...the monster is right behind you! RUNNNN!!" -The Host

by bwellnjonesco on Oct 17, 2009 1:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

young

Why not try Young at 2nd or Hicks .

by ~~banditwolf~~ on Oct 17, 2009 2:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hicks has played 3rd

I think he’ll get some starts at 2nd too, though.

http://www.capitolavenueclub.com/

by PWHjort on Oct 17, 2009 2:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Young was originally a second baseman, but he wasn’t very good there. He’s never played more than 29 games in a season, and it’s been more like 10 or so the last few years. He’d probably be a really interesting prospect as a second baseman, but it just doesn’t seem like he’s got the defensive ability there.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
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by cbwilk on Oct 17, 2009 2:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you would know, so how bad are we talking here at 2B… is he liek KJ bad (where it can be dealt with) or are we talking Soriano bad (where everyone is the world is trying to convince him to move to the OF)?

I don’t know if moving him to 2B enhances his chance of making the team or not, bc both the OF and 2B are crowded at this point.

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Oct 18, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think for a guy like Matt the ability to play 2B and 3B and any position he could would only serve to give him a better chance to make the team. As good a hitter as he has been, you just wonder how it would hold up against big league pitchers for a whole season. But, he could be valuable off a bench, so that versatility could help.
As far as how bad, well, I haven’t seen him play there in a couple of years, but it was pretty bad. Though I will say that when JC Holt first started playing 2B he was beyond horrible and he’s pretty decent now. But the fact that Young doesn’t get any regular reps at 2B makes me think he’s probably never going to, so unless they make a change in that this year, I think he’s going to have to work his way on a roster as a LF or CF.

"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Oct 18, 2009 3:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs