Braves Top Prospect Jason Heyward named Southern League Player of the Month

by gondeee on Aug 11, 2009 3:33 PM EDT in Braves Minor League News

On the heels of Jose Ortegano being named Southern League Player of the Week, baseball's top prospect, Jason Heyward, was named the Southern League Player of the Month for July. The award, sponsored by Topps, is chosen by Southern League field managers. Here is a blurb from the press release:

Heyward began the season as Atlanta's best outfield prospect and in just his second full professional season, has further cemented his status as one of the game's brightest young stars. In its midseason review, Baseball America named Heyward, who turned 20 on August 9, the No. 1 minor league prospect in all of baseball. He was billed at No. 5 on the preseason list, also ranked first on their list of Minor League Player of the Year candidates.

Heyward started the 2009 campaign at High-A Myrtle Beach, and batted .296 with 10 homers and 39 RBI in 49 games before his promotion to Mississippi on July 3. In 31 games at the AA level, Heyward has recorded multiple hits 15 times and is hitting .411 with six homers and 23 RBI. He owns a staggering .492 on-base percentage, a robust .729 slugging percentage and has walked 17 times against just 12 strikeouts.

So, yeah, we knew he was a monster. I don't know why he's still at double-A. Caution be damned, promote the kid.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Yes, move this kid up. Please!!!

by taney71 on Aug 11, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

agreed. just to triple-a though

by bravesfan203 on Aug 11, 2009 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

He'd look mighty good..

in the lead off spot with that OBP

A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings.
~Earl Wilson

by BeantownVol on Aug 11, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions

Matt Wieters isn’t exactly tearing up major league pitching, and he’s several years older than Heyward. Leave him in AA/AAA.

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.

by TradeAndruw on Aug 11, 2009 4:12 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

and last year, the Rays brought up 22 yr old Evan Longoria and he did great: 60 XBH in 122 G, .874 OPS; and he has progressed on the basis of that experience, doing even better this year.

by fandave on Aug 11, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, and Justin Upton, who i think is a reasonable comparison to Heyward, is doing just fine in his 2nd season at age 21.

I think weiters is struggling a bit since he’s a catcher, who has a helluva lot more responsiblity than any other position player. He;s working on more things at once than most other prospects.

7/24/2009 - "The Phillies are too far ahead in the NL East for the Braves to make a run." - Buster Olney

REMEMBER THAT BOYS.

by Scott Coleman on Aug 11, 2009 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

here’s another one: at the end of the 2004 season, the Twins brought up 21 yr old Joe Mauer – had 15 XBH in 107 AB, .939 OPS; and has gone on to do pretty ok in the middle of their lineup ever since.

by fandave on Aug 11, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

And we set Schafer back who knows how much by rushing him. I’m not seeing a problem with the Church/Diaz platoon. What is Heyward’s glove like?

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.

by TradeAndruw on Aug 11, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

How can you say that Schafer was set back when he’s not able to play with his wrist injury?

For all we know, he comes out next year hitting like we expect him to.

by Bronn on Aug 11, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Heyward is an outstanding outfielder. He takes good routes, is quick to the ball, and has an outstanding arm. That’s what I was most surprised with the first time I saw him, how good his arm is.

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

by cbwilk on Aug 12, 2009 1:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Well if 3 players have torn it up over the last 5 years, its definitely a trend!

BravesHeart, my new, corporate-sponsored blog - FANBALL BLOG OF THE MONTH JUNE 2009!!!!!

by bigjoe on Aug 12, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

shit, joe, if I wanted to spend 30 minutes researching it, I bet I could come up with a big bunch of additional cases of young players coming up and doing very well.
Thanks, though, for the snide cynicism

by fandave on Aug 13, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Stats

like Heyward’s make a Braves fan cry tears of joy. Man, can you imagine our future w/Heyward, Schafer, Medlin & Hanson in the mix. I can smell a World Series win.

by adc62 on Aug 11, 2009 6:11 PM EDT reply actions

I think we should wait til after the roster expands to add Heyward………..unless our platoon in right starts sucking. If that happens we may need to try to get him up earlier so he would be eligible for post-season play if we get there.

by KC Ryan on Aug 12, 2009 6:00 AM EDT reply actions