BA's Ben Badler discusses Jason Heyward, Arodys Vizcaino and more
Here are some of the questions from the chat. I'll put the questions and Badler's answers in bold and my imput in italics:
David (Queens, NY)
In regards to the haul the phillies got for Cliff Lee, Would you say Atlanta got more for their ace Javy Vazquez?
Ben Badler (2:12 PM)
Yes. I'd rather have Arodys Vizcaino than any of the prospects the Phillies got for Cliff Lee.
Now that everything is said and done with, I'm really pumped for this Vizcaino kid. He was definately a big reason for this deal.
Phil (NJ)
Who pitches in the majors first: Arodys (Vizcanio) or Aroldis (Chapman)?
Ben Badler (2:14 PM)
Chapman. I like Vizcaino but he will probably spend the entire year in low Class A, whereas Chapman should probably start in either high Class A or Double-A (though I wouldn't be surprised if the team that signs him gives him a more aggressive Opening Day assignment).
Man, the pitching at our lower levels will be stacked.
Zoey P (Augusta)
Ben - I hadn't heard about Arodys Vizcaino until yesterday? What's your take on him, and where would he be on your Top 100 list?
Ben Badler (2:24 PM)
Coming into the 2009 season I had Vizcaino as the No. 77 prospect in baseball when we had our BA top 100 meeting, and I've been talking the guy up for the last two years now. After the season he had this year, I imagine he'll move up, with a chance for top-50 status.
Again, I'm really pumped to watch this kid develop. With Vizcaino, we'll possibly have 4 top-50 players when the rankings come out.
Ryan (Roswell)
Heyward the real deal? Do you have him as the #1 prospect?
Ben Badler (2:38 PM)
He's not going to be a star this year, but I'll be surprised if he's not one of the top players in the league within the next few seasons. It's either Heyward or Strasburg for the No. 1 prospect, although the usual edge that a hitter has over a pitcher due to health might not apply here as much, since staying healthy is just about the only skill Heyward hasn't shown thus far.
Badler makes a great point here. The only thing Jason Heyward hasn't done in his career is stay healthy for a long period of time. Hopefully, as his body matures, he'll stop getting these nagging injuries.
Jason (Atlanta)
So where would Vizcaino rank in the Braves system if BA reranked them today? Ahead of Teheran?
Ben Badler (2:41 PM)
Either No. 3 or No. 4 behind Heyward and Freddie Freeman. I'd probably put him No. 3, right ahead of Julio Teheran.
Interesting the he has Vizcaino ahead of Teheran. IMO, I'd put him 4th right behind JT, but I'm not paid for my prospect coverage.
about 2 years ago
Scott Coleman
11 comments
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Comments
I am not as worried about Heyward's nagging injuries.
We have known he would be special for a couple of years now and I think we are very, very conservative with him, as we should be. And he seems to have the head on his shoulders to let management know any time something is wrong. I bet he plays through a bunch of the little nagging injuries in the majors that he sat down with in the minors.
Of course, time will tell, but I am not particularly worried now.
All athletes have minor, day to day nagging achesand pains. The difference is if you are the Braves and have an 18-19 year old, 6’4" / 230 man-child who happens to be the best prospect in the world, you absolutely coddle him and do not take any chances at all at exposing him to the risk of any secondary, chronic-type injuries.
This is good stuff
I hope we don’t trade Vizcaino, Tehren, or the Delgado’s anytime soon. Those four are going to be special.
yeah i don’t get why people lump dimaster in with randall, they aren’t the same caliber pitcher. I’d deal Spruill for the right guy but I’d also love to keep him around, the three aforementioned plus zeke, lopez, and minor gives us a ton of quality young arms
by McCann's the Man on Dec 25, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
Wow
I’m surprised Badler ranked him ahead of Teheran. I had never even heard of Vizcaino until we got him.
you’re not alone. Everybody that blasted this move by the braves had obviously never heard of vizcaino
by McCann's the Man on Dec 24, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions
Good stuff
I am still not totally comfortable on the deal. But I am positively excited to see what Vizcaino has, and I’ll have another dude to pathologically follow in Minor league baseball recaps after Heyward makes the show
by Sid Bream's Moustache on Dec 24, 2009 3:58 PM EST reply actions
Same here
I really hope Vizcaino becomes a stud. That way, every time he pitches, we can all remember how we took him away from the Yankees.
I used to like Frank Wren...not anymore. I want John Schierholz back!
by Scott Coleman on Dec 24, 2009 8:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions





















