Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 5/11
by yondaime4 on May 11, 2009 10:58 PM EDT
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PrintDurham 0, Gwinnett 4
- K. Medlen 6.2IP 2H 0R 3BB 6K
Lets not pretend this will be about anyone other than Kris Medlen. Kris laughs at the crap that Tommy Hanson throws out there every 5 days. Medlen improves to 5-0 on the season and is really unmatched in performances this season except for maybe Johan, Greinke and Boston's Michael Bowden (for AAA Pawtucket). He has only allowed 29 base runners this season and has 44 strike outs in 37.1 innings. What are we going to do with this guy? Him and Hanson both pose interesting problems for the Braves that almost certainly must be addressed by this coming offseason.
Mississippi 3, Jacksonville 2
- T. Jones 3-4 RBI, K, 2 SB(6), CS(3), PO, E
- J.C. Boscan 2-4 2B, 2 RBI, K
Definitely an interesting game here from Travis Jones who has been really hot lately. At least at the plate. He is hitting .500 in his last 10 games. But tonight he might have cost the team more when he was away from the dish getting thrown out 3 times on the base paths and making an error that lead to a run. In the end it didn't cause the team to lose the game, but man that is a lot of outs to give up.
Myrtle Beach @ Frederick - Postponed
Rome 9, Asheville 7
- L. Sumoza 2-4 2B, BB
- G. Rodriguez 2-4 3B, HR(7), 5 RBI, BB
- J.J. Hoover 6IP 7H 4R 1BB 3K
Rome gets its second highest scoring game of the season and they apparently needed all of them as the bullpen leaked a little late. Kimbrel gave up runs for his second straight outing and doesn't seem to have it all figured out yet. J.J. Hoover has been said to be a diamond in the rough find for the Braves and could end up being our best arm out of last year's draft class. Rodriguez had a nice game with a grand slam in the 6th that put the Braves up permanently.
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Call up medlen now!
Put him in the pen and replace Carlyle. Carlyle has sucked throughout his entire career, sucks now, and will continue to suck in the future. The fact that he is on a major league roster and has been for a while, is a complete shock to me,
Worst idea I've heard since...
Someone suggested we pay Ollie Perez 7-figures a year.
Tommy Hanson 4 ROY
Wait...
you’re suggestion is to replace Carlyle with Medlen? You have Jeff Bennett and James Parr in your bullpen and you want to replace Carlyle?
I’m afraid I’m going to have to disagree with you on that one.
He’s useful and, as long as he’s not making too much money, he’s a descent enough bullpen arm. I like the fact that his walks, homeruns, and extra base hits are down this year even though his GB/FB rate is also down from last year. I don’t, however, like that when I look at his baseball-reference page, the number 1 name on the similiar pitchers list is none other than Chad Paronto…
http://www.baseball-intellect.com/scouting-kris-medlen/
Scouting report of Medlen. Three average or better pitches, thinks he’s a #3/4 starter when he settles in.
I’d like to see Medlen get used in a tandem role alongside Kawakami down the stretch. Having them both throw 4 innings a game will allow them both to stay fresh and will give Medlen development time. See if he can actually sustain this in the majors as what would amount to a starting job.
he kinda sounds like Kyle Davies to be honest. a good fastball, plus curve and a decent changeup. lets hope he doesnt share the same fate as Kyle tho…
AB: Jordan Schafer
Pitching: ANY pitcher in MLB
Pitch Summary:
1. FB (89mph): Swinging Strike
2. FB (91mph): Swinging Strike
3. FB (90mph): Swinging Strike
JORDAN SCHAFER STRIKES OUT SWINGING.
by Scott Coleman on May 12, 2009 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Not to be a deck, but
I’ve seen quite a few pitching prospects (not just Davies) with a good fastball, plus curve, and a decent change up. Their long term success usually depends on making that change up a plus pitch.
Also, I don’t like your sig., remove it immediately…jk jk…We all know Schafer strikes out alot. Why don’t you have something like AB: Carlos Beltran Pitching: Javier Vazquez Strike Strike Strike?
...catsports...
by bwellnjonesco on May 12, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions
If Medlen and Hanson keep this up...
There won’t be much point in exercising Hudson’s option, or keeping Vazquez’s expensive ass around for another year. Not that I wouldn’t mind keeping both of them… but the numbers say at least one of those guys won’t be here next year. And it’s going to be awfully tough to keep Medlen out of our rotation if he keeps this up.
Tommy Hanson 4 ROY
Man...
someone’s developing a serious man-crush on Kris Medlen.
Hint: it’s me.
everybody take a step back
some are you guys are suggesting we decline an option on a guy who has 130+ career wins and is a solid #1/2 when he pitches or trade Vazquez who is good for 15 wins, a sub 4.00ERA and 200k’s EVERY season, so we can call up 2 guys who’ve never started a game before.
Really?
Im all for calling up Hanson or Medlen for JoJo Reyes right now. Im all for trying to trade KK to make room for Medlen. But getting rid of Tim Hudson (assuming he’s healthy; if he’s not its a totally different story, but after a full year of recovery he should be ready to go) or Javy Vazquez is crazy.
What would you rather have in 2010?
Lowe
Hudson
Vazquez
Jurrjens
Hanson/Medlen
or
Lowe
Jurrjens
Hanson
Medlen
Kawakami
?
If you think that 2nd rotation is even close in talent or ability to the first rotation, you’re nuts.
AB: Jordan Schafer
Pitching: ANY pitcher in MLB
Pitch Summary:
1. FB (89mph): Swinging Strike
2. FB (91mph): Swinging Strike
3. FB (90mph): Swinging Strike
JORDAN SCHAFER STRIKES OUT SWINGING.
actually, it was only timmy 3 who suggested this. but still, i know others have to be thinking it. and NO WAY we take Carlyle out. Jeff Bennett is the one who should go. His ERA is so low only b/c he allows everyone elses runners to score, just not his.
AB: Jordan Schafer
Pitching: ANY pitcher in MLB
Pitch Summary:
1. FB (89mph): Swinging Strike
2. FB (91mph): Swinging Strike
3. FB (90mph): Swinging Strike
JORDAN SCHAFER STRIKES OUT SWINGING.
by Scott Coleman on May 12, 2009 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Pray tell why we’d dump the guy currently sporting a 57% GB rate, a 2.4:1 K/BB ratio, and a 2.96 FIP?
Bennett’s sporting a 30% LD rate and a .464 BABIP. That’s not going to be sustained at all and Bennett’s numbers will look even better. Sure his HR/FB is aritificially low and he’s stranding his own runners at a high rate; let everything regress to normal and he’s a high 3.00s ERA guy who can throw 80-90 innings. That’s a valuable reliever.
1st I highly doubt that KK is going anywhere unless he just completely stinks it up. 2nd it is going to be extremely hard to get rid of Javier because of his Salary. I am willing to bet that the Braves and Hudson are going to decline the option. Its just with Lowe, Javier, KK, Hudson, and who knows with the way Jair is pitching the braves need to lock him up cause he could kill us at arb we could have damn near 50 mil invested in pitching.
All this talk of putting Medlen in the Pen is CRAZY!!
The kid can obviously start and start just as good if not better than Hanson so why waste such a good arm like that in your Pen.
As far as either one getting called up this year i doubt it. im pretty sure with the way Glavine is progressing they will give Jojo a leash of a few more starts and if he is stinking it up still they will trade him or send him to the minors. if he is doing better he will become a reliever/LOOGY because his numbers against lefties are amazing.
now if KK starts going down the poop shoot again then you guys still have to realize that they will only get called up after Campillo or Morton.
As far as Hudson’s contract goes I honestly dont know what to do. If they keep Hudson then thats great we will have two sinker ballers. Then JJ, and KK. Sure you can put Hanson in the Rotation then Medlen in the pen but that would be wasting the kids arm.
We could possibly see a trade of someone unexpected like KK but more likely Jair. only reason i say JJ is because he is going to hit arbitration soon and we all know who his agent is and our likely hood of keeping him around. What you might see done is JJ traded for a stud 3rd Basemen thats MLB ready or a little lower. Prob to a team like the Angels who could use some pitching next year with some of their rotation being free agents.
ummmmm...you're $#%$ing crazy...
if you think the Organization will be trading JJ any time soon. they would have to be BLOWN away by an offer (like Brandon Wood AND Hank Conger) and that ain’t happening (but i would be all for it).
by apoxonbothyourhouses on May 12, 2009 6:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Whats wrong with trading JJ? Essentially that means he gets replaced with a cheaper less service time pitcher, if not two in Hanson and Medlen
by drumzalicious on May 12, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Because…for starters…trading him before either of those guys has proven themselves in the majors is a poor choice of organizational management. Not to mention that trading young starting pitchers is almost always a terrible idea.
There’s a reason the Rays are poised to be a top threat in the AL East for quite some time…they were able to acquire young starters like Garza and Kazmir for next to nothing.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 12, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I understand that but at the same time the rotation isnt being centered around these two they will be at the end of the rotation that will be headed by Lowe, Hudson, and Vazquez. Plus you have to trade quality to get quality.
The only other thing would be if they traded Lowe which is something i truly doubt.
You cant deny that we need a suitable replacement for Chipper and Infante/Prado arent going to cut it.
by drumzalicious on May 12, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
If JJ is able to continue his success throughout the season it’s almost a certainty that Hudson or Vazquez (as much as I love both of them) would be moved before JJ would.
Why would the FO trade away a young pitching talent nowhere near his prime, instead of two aging veterans passed their peak who cost more? Doesn’t make sense to me.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 12, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
The Braves get to trade away valuable veterans for high-ceiling prospects in the next 2-3 seasons. Vazquez , FYF (hey, he could be considered valuable to some), and Kotchmann all have minor league replacements coming in 2010, 2011, and 2012 respectively. This is the positive side of signing FA’s—you don’t deplete your farm system and the prospects have time to develop and push the veterans out of their jobs. Sounds kind of shitty, but it keeps your team competitive without having to spend $200 million a year.
"…aren’t worthy enough to hold his (Pujols) ass cheeks apart while Playboy models wipe him with thousand dollar bills after he craps out the cure to whatever previously-incurable disease." by royhobbs 1/7/09
2010 surplus....
2010 Starting Pitching Candidates:
Lowe
Kawakami
Jurrjens
Hudson
Vazquez
Hanson
Medlen
Reyes (not a serious candidate in my opinion)
Morton (not a serious candidate in my opinion)
Offensive Holes:
Right field- francoeur will not be a brave in 2010
Left field- diaz might be too expensive to keep around in a platoon role
I’m guessing that there wont be much money available to spend on a free agent outfielder, so a big bat will have to come via trade. I would be willing to bet ludwick will be available for pitching again next season. Plus, Jason Heyward might be ready next year, even though all seem to suggest he wont play in Atlanta ’til 2011.
mlbtraderumors has a new article up that suggests we have enough pitching this year to acquire a big bat. this might sound crazy, but andruw jones could be had for a pitcher this year…..just saying….nady or swisher also come to mind, and yankees need pitching.
this might sound crazy, but andruw jones could be had for a pitcher this year
That is crazy. You want to get rid of Francouer, but actually give up something, ML starting pitching no less, to pick up Andruw. Crazy.
"At least he didn’t nail the bitchy fat girl from Hell's Kitchen."
www.dropoutproductions.com
charlie morton for andruw jones...
done…what is charlie morton to the braves anyway? if andruw continues to show progress, why not? do you honestly see charlie morton in a braves future rotation? i dont.
and getting rid of francoeur...
an outs machine with little to no power with his only upside being his arm (even his defense is not “great”). the braves organization has made many mistakes with their young players. being incredibly loyal to francoeur when he has been, at best, average, then screwing with others’ heads so much by transporting them back and forth from AAA to the majors so often that they become disgruntled (davies, devine, b.jones).
I’m losing my patience with FYF. I’m getting sick of seeing him hit a lazy pop fly on pitches that he should be driving. Yes, I know his strikeouts are down but so are his walks…which were pathetic to begin with.
I guess we don’t really have many better options…
by Smoltz's Beard on May 12, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
We also have a surplus of Outfielders coming up. I wouldnt be surprised to see FYF get dealt in the coming years. We have Heyward who will be a monster and then it looks like this Cody Johnson fellow could contribute in a Adam Dunn way
Not to mention Luis Sumoza and Gorkys. although Gorkys more than likely will replace Schafer if he continues to fail
by drumzalicious on May 12, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
None of that is news to me. I’m talking about how FYF is showing very little improvement THIS SEASON and if it doesn’t change he’s going to end up hurting us more than helping us. With him and The Professional in the same lineup we’re going to be giving up outs by the boatloads…with both of them hitting in the middle of the damn lineup no less.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 12, 2009 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
To FYF’s credit he has been a monster with RISP which is something he wasnt last year. I think if he would cut down on his first pitch swinging he would do better.
I do honestly wonder what the Braves will do if Gorkys, Heyward, Johnson, and Sumoza are all raking at the AA/AAA levels.
Makes you think Schafer actually has a short leash because of Gorkys.
by drumzalicious on May 12, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s almost unbelievable, but FYF is actually hitting .462 on the first pitch this season…with a 1.291 OPS. Small sample size, but it certainly doesn’t seem like that when watching the game.
He’s hardly a monster so far in the season with RISP…don’t get me wrong a .826 OPS is pretty nice, but not when the other side of the spectrum shows him with a .663 OPS with the bases empty.
I also think you’re relying a little too heavily on these guys in the minors…the chances of Gorkys, Heyward, Johnson, and Sumoza all making an impact in the majors as starters is not very good.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 12, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s easier to notice when he fails on the first pitch than when he succeeds.
"If I had a little humility, I would be perfect" - Ted Turner
Obviously, but those numbers surprised the hell out of me.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 12, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe I'm alone in this...
But I still think Charlie Morton can be a big league pitcher.
He has fantastic stuff and hasn’t gotten a fair shot at a big league job yet, so why discount him?
Tommy Hanson 4 ROY
I agree
It’ll be interesting to see which AAA pitcher gets the first call to replace one of our starters.
"If I had a little humility, I would be perfect" - Ted Turner
I see him as a member of the 2012 World Series Champions Braves (the last MLB Champions!!!)…but as a bullpen pitcher…
...catsports...
by bwellnjonesco on May 12, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
“the last MLB Champions”
Is baseball going away after we win or something?
If Dunn walks 30 fewer times, he'll drive in 15 more runs. This is thanks to the scientifically proven formula: RBI = (this is nonsense) (I made it all up).
Here's a stat: Wins as manager: Dusty Baker, 1,162; Bill James, 0.
You haven't heard....
The world is going to end December 21st, 2012.
People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
Only bat-shit crazy people believe that stuff
The world isn’t going to end, we’re just going to make it uninhabitable for human (and probably all other animal) existence.
"…aren’t worthy enough to hold his (Pujols) ass cheeks apart while Playboy models wipe him with thousand dollar bills after he craps out the cure to whatever previously-incurable disease." by royhobbs 1/7/09
jeff francoeur....
his obp is now .287. an obp below .300 that never sits out is the reason we lose games. there is no new approach. he sucks. why does he still have a job? next!
this is great
The fact that people are actually upset about the abundance of starting pitching prospects we have is a huge blessing in my opinion. SP is arguably the most important position in baseball, and it’s always great to have a bunch of options.
And it makes sense to keep everyone (if affordable) because Hudson seems to get hurt pretty often, and injuries are pretty common in pitching.
Also, FIRST POST! WOO!
Welcome...
…although allow me to point out that last season was the first one since 1999 that Hudson pitched less than 188 innings. Saying it makes sense to keep everyone because Hudson is coming off of TJ would be more appropriate. He’s never had an injury history.
by Smoltz's Beard on May 12, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
hmm
I feel like Hudson’s been injured quite a bit over the past couple of years, but I’m probably mistaken. I’m probably still scarred from Mike Hampton.
by RichmondBraves on May 12, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
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