Kris Medlen

by zest on May 18, 2009 11:18 AM EDT Comment 24 comments

I think we're all pretty jacked to see Medlen gett the call this week so we can see at least one of our pitching studs in the rotation. As a Braves fan, I'm really anxious to see his debut.

As a fantasy player, I am wondering how long the Braves will keep him up in the rotatoin (assuming he pitches well)? Any ideas? Has the organization mentioned what they're plans are for him, or is this a short-term solution till Glavine makes his debut?

I don't have a higher waiver spot to use on him, but I don't necessarily want to waste that on a guy who is only going to get one or two starts. Any advice?

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Not sure about what league rules you have, but in my league a player needs at least 5 starts to be eligible to be played. He may not be able to get that if Tommy G is coming back to take the spot in a few weeks (which is why Im guessing Medlin got the call over Hanson)

But I picked him up anyway in my league, he may just stay longer than expected, and has a high ceiling

by bravesguy311 on May 18, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You are correct in your call about why he got the call over Hanson. Frank Wren made that statement after the callup, to the specifics that if it were a permanent spot, they would have called up Hanson.

"Ohhhh Shit."-Bobby Cox, 3/28/09

by 10-4 on May 18, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

its funny because i was actually able to grab up Hanson early in the season also, as he flew under everyones radar. Lets just say i have multiple reasons to see Tommy get the call and stay up permanently, let alone my Braves fan side which is foaming at the mouth to have this kid in the rotation.

If (when) Glavine makes the team, I believe he in line to get a cool mil. This may be reason enough for the Braves to be cautious with him, and be absolutely sure he can still be effective in the Majors, and not just “pitch” for 13 starts like last year.

by bravesguy311 on May 18, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m guessing it will depends on how he pitches. If he pitches well, and Glavine does come back, my guess is that he would go to the bullpen instead of being sent down

by eaheckman10 on May 18, 2009 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see the value here. Medlen is a possible #3, more like a #4 starter. Guys like that are in normal mixed leagues (possibly you’re NL-only or the league has a lot of teams; feel free to ignore this if so) on the waiver wire. I’d save the waiver slot for someone bigger like Feliz, Hanson, or Tillman.

by 17843 on May 18, 2009 12:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kris Medlen is going to pitch his ass off. This guy is a bulldog, he’s fought his whole career to get to this level he’s not going to lay down and take a pounding like Jo-Jo Reyes. Medlen will be mentally tough and be able to get out of innings where things don’t go his way unlike the aforementioned Reyes who lies down anytime something tramatic happens to him.

by HTF on May 18, 2009 12:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kris Medlen isn’t a bulldog HTF. He’s a fast working, undersized, average fastball throwing righty. He’s about as goofy a person as you can imagine. He throws any of his pitches in any count and works all of his three pitch repertoire right out of the gate. Long term, I don’t see him lasting in the Braves rotation, but I hope he proves me wrong, being that he’s a good kid and a talented pitcher.
“He’s fought his whole career to get to this level”….His whole career is a massive three years long…

by Whodunnit?4040 on May 18, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm hearing...

that this call up is for future trade scenarios. if he pitches well, then Wren has ALOT of leverage, as he has pitched just as well as Hanson, and many GMs would take him, as he could develop into a #2. We give up a great pitching prospect without giving up Hanson.

Would Locke, Medlen and B. Jones get us a power bat?

The Angles need an influx of youth and would that package get us B. Wood and, say, Vlad (who won’t resign with them and is a free agent at the end of the year)?

by apoxonbothyourhouses on May 18, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Then again, if Medlen ends up being effective at this level, it would be nice to have both him and Hanson in the post-Lowe/Vaz/KK era. Together with JJ, we’d have a really young, really talented top of the rotation.

"When life gives you lemons, just say 'F*ck the lemons,' and bail."

by Bravely going forward on May 18, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Medlen is not a possible #2 guy. He’s a possible 4-5 guy. He’s more like a right handed Chuck James with a better breaking ball. He profiles as more of a bullpen guy to be honest.

by Whodunnit?4040 on May 18, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats why hes been the best starter in AAA this year?

by acie4mvp on May 18, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty sure Chuck and Suck dominated in the minors too

by Smoltz's Beard on May 18, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dang, I almost forgot about James. I do have fond memories of that young lefty during his rookie year. Especially the supposed meaningless game where Chuck James out-dueled Roger Clemens, where guys like Pete Orr and Edgar Renteria were brought home by Chipper and a still-good Andruw Jones, and where Bob Wickman was the guy closing the door on the playoff-pushing Astros. Good times.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on May 18, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember that the second game I was at in Turner Field in 10 years was started by Chuck James, he got absolutely annihilated, and was never seen again

"If on-base percentage is so important, then why don't they put it up on the scoreboard?"
President, CEO, and chairman of the Brandon Jones fan club. PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK! PLEASE COME BACK!

by bigjoe on May 18, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

10 years ago? Chuck James was in high school 10 years ago.

20 seconds of research…

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

by cbwilk on May 19, 2009 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My wording was sloppy. Before last year, the last time I was at Turner Field was 10 years ago. In my TURNER RETURN, the second game I saw was Chuck & Suck’s “masterpiece” against the Brewers

by bigjoe on May 19, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know I’m just giving you shit. I didn’t really think you meant 10 years ago.

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

by cbwilk on May 19, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Braves certainly may deal him, but what I don’t get is how you with such certitude proclaim he’s not a possible #2 guy. Now, I understand that is your fine opinion, and I might even agree that projecting #2 guy status could be improbable at this point, but goshdarnit shouldn’t we maybe let him have a start or two before we render a final verdict?

by fandave on May 18, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When you think #2 guy, you think Derek Lowe, Jurrjens, maybe Burnett..Guys that could be aces on a decent to bad team. Kris Medlen’s stuff isn’t there for that projection. If he goes 12 scoreless like James Parr did last year, does that mean he’s a potential #2? No
Everyone on this site is positive Hanson’s the next Ace…and Medlen’s pitched almost twice as well as Tommy in AAA (37 Innings? for Medlen)…Does that mean Medlen is an Ace? You look at tools, and Medlen has the tools to pitch in the big leagues, but he’s not a projected #2…

by Whodunnit?4040 on May 18, 2009 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because number two starters have two plus pitches and command them well. Medlen doesn’t have two plus pitches at this time, and probably never will. He projects as a borderline #3/4 guy who has a plus pitch and two others that are average. He’s also never been tested as a guy who can shoulder 180 IPs, pretty much required of a front-end starter.

I like the other poster’s contrast of Medlen with Hanson. Pretty much everyone agrees Hanson has 2-4 plus pitches and command over them, and his frame is built to throw 180+ innings. That’s a #1 starter.

by 17843 on May 19, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just think Medlen deserves a shot at starting for a whole year. Regardless of where it’s at. It think he’s earned that with the way he’s pitched since last July.

Tommy Hanson 4 ROY

by timmy3 on May 19, 2009 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he can succeed as a starter, but I don’t think we should do anything rash just to get him a chance to start. I think he could/should be a fantastic multi-inning reliever this year.

by 17843 on May 19, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

It’s a deep, mixed keeper league through ESPN.com, and for some reason folks could pick up Hanson at the beginning of the season, but you can just now claim Medlen off waivers. I’m 7th on the list, so I doubt I’ll have any shot at any studs that get called up this year, so I figure it’s worth a shot to use it on Medlen.

It’s good to know what Wren said about it not being a long-term rotation spot though, that’s the info I was looking for. I still may burn the waiver claim just to have this kid on my team. I think he could be something special.

Who knows if Glavine will actually come back healthy over the next three weeks to take the spot back, especially if Kris is pitching well.

I think another factor to consider is when will Hanson get called up? The Braves haven’t come out and said it, but I think we’re all assuming that one of the reasons they are holding back Hanson is to delay starting his arbitration clock. Any idea when they could safely call him up, so they’d gain an extra year there?

by zest on May 18, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hanson

I have seen Hanson pitch, like everyone said, he is legit. A possible #1 guy that just about every team would love to have. Braves just hasn’t produced any studs of late, or in the last 10 years. JJ could be a stud, will just have to wait and see. But prospects such as Jo Jo, Davies, Bruce Chen, Chuck James, list goes on…. I have had doubts about all along. I remember when Kevin Millwood, Jason Schmidt, Steve Avery were coming through the system, was young though, and said, that is a major league pitcher with major league pitches, havn’t seen that in a while. Hanson, does have it, and to a point to where I think he will be the Braves #1 in the next 3 years.

by wcubmac on May 19, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs