Talking Chop: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: World Soccer Digest for Soccer Fans!

Thoughts from the Future's Game


I had the opportunity to go to the Future's Game on an absolutely horrible Sunday for a game.  Being a Braves fan, I figured most of the readers might not have had the opportunity to attend the game so I figured I would recap some of it.  I'll also throw some random thoughts in there.

Star-divide

 

- Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the World batting practice.  I did get to see Team USA's though.  The most impressive performances were non other than Jason Heyward and former Brave Tyler Flowers

- Heyward didn't have a wasted swing during BP.  He hit everything hard.  He rarely had a pop up, maybe 1 or 2 during the whole session.  He used the whole field.  He also produced some light-tower homeruns that had fans gasping for breath.  Hitting into the 2nd deck at Busch and a few rows over te bullpen is something for a 19 year old with a wood bat.  Overall he was extremely impressive, and had all of the fans talking.

- Flowers put on a monster display of power.  Ironically, he only pulled a couple of homeruns.  Every homerun was to centerfied or rightcenter.  They were abosolute shots.  Halfway up the green grass in center and deep up in the rows to right center.  The STL fans were pretty happy with the way he hit.

- Michael Stanton had a good BP session.  He did pull everything and hit his fair share of pop flys, but he hit 2 of the longest homeruns I have ever seen during BP in St. Louis.  They landed in the top row over the bullpen in left center.  They were moonshots.

- Tillman and Matusz were hanging around in the outfield and rarely through a ball to the stands.  A little kid next to me was asking for a ball right next to me.  Matusz looked right at him, and in turn, through it to an old ass guy wearing an Orioles hat.  I felt bad for the kid, but I guess it happens all the time.

- During the autograph session, Barbaro, who is huge, signed my litle Baseball America book and gave me a wink for the Braves jersey I had on.  He seems like a really nice guy, and I'm really rooting for him.  I tried getting Feliz to sign my book as well, but I really don't think he understands English.  He didn't look up once.  Oh well.

- Heyward stood behind the dugout and only signed balls that were thrown to him.  I'm sure this had to do with the swarm of people around him.  It was like kids just throwing balls hoping he would sign.  I was hoping he wasn't going to get hit.

- During the god-awful 4 hour rain delay, Brad Lincoln, Matt Latos, and Kyle Drabek became fan favorites by going out and throwing a frizbee in the light rain.  All eyes were on them during the 3rd hour of the rain delay.  I'm sure all 3 GM's were holding their breath as they were running in the outfield playing catch.

- On a side note, Kyle Drabek and Neftali Feliz looked really good during the game.  Drabek makes me nervous pitching for the Phils, but he's speculation to Halladay rumors zo he could be traded.  Feliz is a bitter sweet thing.  I root for him, but at the same time, I hope he's not a perennial cy young winner in spite.

 

There are my thoughts.  I hope it wasn't too long, but I thought some fans might enjoy this.  Go Braves, as always.

6 recs  |  Comment 25 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Very nice post

Im just SO glad i moved away from the STL area a year and a half before the ASG came.

2009 Atlanta Braves Motto: We ♥ leaving RISP AND Omar Minaya!

by mvhsbball on Jul 13, 2009 6:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Haha

Yeah, it’s pretty crazy. Their closing the Poplar St. Bridge tomorrow because of traffic. Rumor has it Obama will be flying in on a helicopter. We’ll see.

by smscardinals1 on Jul 13, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

God knows he'll make it all the spectacle he can.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 14, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

*Resist the urge to make political commentary…..

"Actually, Justin was right."
by bigjoe on May 15, 2009 9:04 AM PDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 14, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mission Accomplished?

Aren’t they all publicity hounds? :-)

"…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

by buzzdeadwax on Jul 14, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I haven't seen another president leap up the steps like a little girl of late.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 15, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Political talk ends now.

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

by cbwilk on Jul 15, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

HEYWWWARRRRDDD !!!!

Go Heyward just hope management doesn’t rush him to the big leagues. Only 19yrs old an he needs alot more seasoning. Still he is the best prospect is all of baseball for a reason. Cannot wait to see him is the OF for us in the very near future.

Go Braves.

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jul 13, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What

“Go Heyward just hope management doesn’t rush him to the big leagues. Only 19yrs old an he needs alot more seasoning.”

“Cannot wait to see him is the OF for us in the very near future.”

by esadb on Jul 14, 2009 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Within the next two years is the very near future, relatively.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 14, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for the post!

Really appreciate the first hand account from a Braves fan who was there.

by secondbass on Jul 13, 2009 9:50 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

No problem

It was a great time, other than the rain of course. I figured I’d go ahead and give my thoughts since I sat there for 4 hours thinking about what to say.

by smscardinals1 on Jul 13, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Did anyone else notice that ESPN listed Barbaro’s age as 19, and all of the announcers went along with that? Guess it kind of shows how little research really goes into that kind of stuff.
Too bad he’s not actually 19, he’d be one helluva prospect if he was putting up those numbers in AAA as a 19-year-old.

by drdonkeypunch on Jul 14, 2009 8:51 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

On Feliz not signing things...

One thing I noticed on Feliz, from his Bowman card with the replicated signature on it; he’s still learning how to really write.

That may partially explain why he’s a bit shy about signing autographs.

Q: If on-base pct is so important then why don't they put it on the scoreboard? -Failcoeur

A: Because the Braves don't want to show their fans how bad you suck.

by timmy3 on Jul 14, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That was also the autograph they got from him like 3 years ago. I’m sure it looks nothing like that now.

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

by cbwilk on Jul 14, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good call on that. I just figured it was more recent I guess. That makes a lot more sense.

Q: If on-base pct is so important then why don't they put it on the scoreboard? -Failcoeur

A: Because the Braves don't want to show their fans how bad you suck.

by timmy3 on Jul 14, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Feliz

I never even thought of the writing issue. It did take him much longer to sign than most other players and was always looking around helplessly.

by smscardinals1 on Jul 14, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, Topps (which makes the Bowman cards) usually goes around during ST and finds guys who are there for the first time and gives them a contract to allow them to make cards. They pay the guys 5 dollars and get their signature, which they paste all over everything. I’m always surprised when a guy’s signature is actually the same as it is on the card.

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

by cbwilk on Jul 14, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I never knew that. I used to be dumb and collect baseball cards. I’d love to do it now, but prices vary so much and unless you pull a Strasburg rookie auto, you really haven’t made any money.

by smscardinals1 on Jul 14, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I only collect stuff I think I can get signed. I only buy cheap stuff and never sell anything. I wouldn’t do it to make money, it’s too much of a hassle.

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

by cbwilk on Jul 14, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 14, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also...

Rec’d.

Q: If on-base pct is so important then why don't they put it on the scoreboard? -Failcoeur

A: Because the Braves don't want to show their fans how bad you suck.

by timmy3 on Jul 14, 2009 11:24 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Very nice recap

Great read, especially all of the stuff the cameras wouldn’t have caught.

"...Braves tie! ...Braves tie! ...Braves tie!"

by The Keith Lockhart Era on Jul 14, 2009 7:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks, I appreciate it. BP was definately the most interesting part. Seeing some people swing with your own two eyes. For instance, Josh Vitters seems like a very good prospect. He looked terrible in BP, hitting everything to the LF by way of a pop up. I’m not saying his power isn’t legit, but it’s definately not a plus tool.

by smscardinals1 on Jul 14, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the SB Nation blog about Atlanta Braves.
Start posting about the Braves »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Dsc01731_small
Brian McCann Charity Softball Game; Andruw Jones wants his job back
Small
Early November Fresh Rosterbation

Recent FanPosts

Small
Bring back my boy AJ
Small
Freddie Freeman
Small
Minor League Free Agents
Dave_avatar_beach_small
Photos of Gwinnett Braves Infielders from 2009 - Inaugural Season
Small
Could Miguel Cabrera be had?
Small
Arizona Fall League Pics
Small
We're Not Signing An Outfielder
527368058_l_small
Misc 2007-2009 Spring Pictures
Heywardaaa_small
Your first memory of the Atlanta Braves

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Managers

Gondeee_small gondeee

Authors

My_hair_is_a_bird-257x300_small yondaime4

Dsc01731_small royhobbs

Tc_small cbwilk