Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 8/8

by yondaime4 on Aug 9, 2009 12:31 AM EDT in Minor League Recaps Comment 25 comments

Alright guys, don't make me stop posting about Jason Heyward. Randall Delgado threw 7 no hit innings last night and it didn't generate ANY discussion. The guy is going to be a top 5 prospect for us. Get on the bandwagon. I will also try to get a hot list up in the next day or so. There are some guys who deserve some attention in the organization.

Gwinnet 9, Toledo 5

R. Gorecki 2-5 2 2B, RBI, K
B. Canizares 2-6 2B, 4 RBI, CS(1)
B. Jones 1-3 HR(4), 2 BB
B. Barton 3-4 2B, RBI, BB, K

James Parr and Buddy Carlyle both appeared in this game as they continue to move on the comeback trail. I really want to know what Brandon Jones has done with his swing. Granted it isn't great, per se, he has hit 4 homers in his last 90 or so ABs when he didn't hit any in his first 200. The problem is that his OPS has been pretty much the same every month this season. In just a few games this month he is putting up a .967 line. Let us see if he can continue this.

Mississippi 9, Huntsville 1

M. Young 3-4 3B, 2 BB, 2 SB(29)
J. Heyward 2-5 K
E. Campbell 2-4 2B, 2 RBI, BB

Kyle Cofield continues to do his thing in Mississippi, giving up only 3 hits in 6 innings and allowing the 1 run. Jason Heyward breaks the 100 AB barrier in AA with a line of:

102 AB .422 AVG 12 2B 2 3B 5 HR 22 RBI 17BB 12K .504 OBP .725 SLG

That's good for those who don't know stats too well. Matt Young remains one of my favorite players and I would still love to see him in Atlanta as a 4th OF at some point. He has no power, but he can do just about everything else for you.

Lynchburg 3, Myrtle Beach 2

D. Linares 3-4 2 2B
R. Sullivan 5.2IP 4H 3R 1BB 5K
C. Gearrin 1IP 0H 0R 0BB 1K

Cory Gearrin is another in what is a seemingly endless line of relief prospects in the Braves system. It stinks that he had to go back to Myrtle Beach due to organizational shuffling because he was holding his own quite well in Mississippi. Right now he is posting a .93 ERA for the Pelicans and he has only allowed 1 walk in 19+ innings. He and Kimbrel could make up a very solid back of the bullpen combination in the future for Atlanta.

Savannah 2, Rome 5

A. Milligan 1-4 2B, RBI, K
B. Schlehuber 2-4 2B, 2 RBI, SB(5)
D. Delgado 7IP 6H 1R 0BB 8K

The Delgado Brothers (not actually related) have been getting it done lately. I swear the guys mirror each other. I Keep waiting for Braeden Schlehuber to break out and keeps me holding my breath. This just isn't his season I guess. Adam Milligan now has 25 XBH in just under 160 professional ABs this season. I will take that.

Pulaski 3, Danville 2

M. Jones 2-4 RBI, SB(11)
C. Harrilchak 3-4 2B, RBI, K
T. Stovall 6IP 4H 3R 3BB 9K

Amazingly the three walks Stovall allowed in this game tied for his season low. In correlation the 3 runs he allowed were the second most he has given up and the 9 Ks were a season high. His arm is very intriguing but he obviously needs to get things under control. I don't know where I would put him on a list right now.

GCL Tigers 6, GCL Braves 2

C. Bethancourt 1-4 2B, RBI, K, SB(7)
D. Falcon 2-4 2 K
Z. Spruill 5IP 3H 1R 0BB 7K

The mystery of Zeke Spruill's demotion continues. See, my thinking is that if he is actually working on a new pitch then he should have walked some people in this game, unless he already has good command of it, in which case why is he in the GCL to begin with? I also don't buy that he is being disciplined. I don't ever remember the Braves sending someone down to discipline them. That doesn't even really make sense. Anyone have ideas?

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in regards to Zeke

i gotta figure its him working on a new pitch. denoting him for disciplinary reasons would hurt the Braves more than it would hurt him. and he’s obviously not hurt.

so im gonna go with you on the new pitch.

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 mvhsbball on Aug 9, 2009 12:36 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

If it's a new pitch...

after these last two games then he should be back up to Rome soon, cause he’s doing fine with it. Count me amongst the confused.

And can’t wait to see some of these young arms develop and hopefully start making an impact with the big club. It’ll be interesting to see who makes it and who doesn’t from Spruill, Devall, Delgado, Delgado, Teheran, Oberholtzer, Masters, Kimbrel, Rohrbough, and a lot more names I’m forgetting. I just wish it weren’t so backloaded in the A and rookie ball levels, same with the glutton of Cs.

by Mr. Sanchez on Aug 9, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We’ve got three pretty good lefties at Mississippi with Diamond, Ortegano and Osuna. Maybe they don’t have the most dynamic stuff, but the results have been pretty good for those three.

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 Aug 9, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Andy Otero

Also in the DSL, 17 year old Andy Otero picthed 5 scoreless innings with 8 K’s. He’s one to watch for next year. He could be a good one.

by rstrangeiv on Aug 9, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why? why could he be a good one?

by yondaime4 on Aug 9, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Otero just turned 17, which means he’s a year and half to two years younger than most in that league and he’s 5-1 with an ERA of 1.00 with 79 K in 54 innings.

by rstrangeiv on Aug 9, 2009 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok he has good stats. what does he throw? how hard does he throw it. what is the competition like in the DSL? what does his body look like?

by yondaime4 on Aug 9, 2009 11:32 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I personally haven’t found much info on the guy in terms of what his stuff is like, but when the youngest pitcher we have has an ERA of 1.00, and is at 13.2 K/9, it garners some attention from me.

Otero’s a little lefty at 5’9", 160, but it’s possible he has some growing to do, I’d guess. From what I could tell, he seemed to be Panama’s top amateur arm last year.

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 Aug 9, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that’s my point. we don’t know anything about the DSL guys other than their stat lines. even scouts generally don’t see them except during spring training. but there is no context for his stats. without context stats are pointless.

by yondaime4 on Aug 9, 2009 12:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

The context is that he’s playing like a superstar against older competition. Even if the level isn’t that high, that’s notable. If he was 20 no one would be talking about him; but I don’t think just because it’s DSL you can totally discount a guy who has success there. The stats say he’s a more advanced pitcher at 17 than Randall Delgado was, and the strikeout numbers are an indication to me that he probably has some pretty good stuff.

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 Aug 9, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just to add on to that, he’s having a better year at 17 in the DSL than another Panamanian lefty we’ve got named Dimaster Delgado had at 18. And I’ve seen Delgado in plenty of people’s top 20. It’s certainly too early to deem him a top prospect, but he’s someone worth keeping an eye on. I just want to see how many Ks he can rack up. I mean how can you not root for the under-sized, barely 17 yr old kid that’s striking everyone out?

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 Aug 9, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You kind of hit on a point though,...

the Delgado’s played there, and we are now getting to know them as they make the climb. Bethancourt was down there last year and played well. I’m pretty sure Teheran was down there also for a year.

Otero and several others are doing great down there right now, correct. But we’ve got time considering their age and level, and I’d assume that a couple of these guys are going to form the core of a staff next year in either Danville or Disney (GCL). Then we can put their numbers in better context with a league more are familiar with, against competition more are familiar with. And like with Teheran, the Delgados, etc., it becomes a little easier to gauge how they’re doing.

by Mr. Sanchez on Aug 9, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Teheran didn’t play down there… They stuck him in the Appy League at 17 because he was so advanced. The two Delgado’s are the two most notable arms who have played down there in recent years.

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 Aug 9, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really like these pitching lines.

Pete Rose was actually banned from baseball for teaching Jeff Francoeur how to play. He made up the gambling stuff to hide his shame.

by VivaLosBravos on Aug 9, 2009 12:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

really wasn’t a bad one in the bunch tonight.

by yondaime4 on Aug 9, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does Heyward have any significant hit streak going?

Every time I look at this, he always seems to have 2 hits.

by scottyboy10 on Aug 9, 2009 1:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nope, he has gone hitless in 2 of his last 10 games. But he is still hitting .375 in that span.

by yondaime4 on Aug 9, 2009 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What is Brian Barton’s line? He seems to be doing really well

by acie4mvp on Aug 9, 2009 1:51 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Does Milligan start off at the Beach next season? Surely, right?

by Bronn on Aug 9, 2009 1:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah most definitely. we talked about this in the recap last night. He is going to be 22 next year and has destroyed the Sally league. no reason to keep him there.

by yondaime4 on Aug 9, 2009 2:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

Is Stovall a SP or RP prospect at this point? Seems like he might do better working out of the pen…

by Bronn on Aug 9, 2009 2:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

most of the guys under Low A are going to be considered starters until they prove they can’t start. Stovall has too much potential to slot in the bullpen at this point. I think even Hale might get a shot at starting with his electric arm.

by yondaime4 on Aug 9, 2009 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m still a little bummed about them yanking Delgado last night… I’m not opposed to the call entirely, because if you’re going to set a pitch limit than there shouldn’t be exceptions, still it’s tough to see the ball get taken out of a guy’s hands when he’s absolutely dominating. If Delgado finishes this last month out like he’s pitched his last four starts, there’s going to be plenty of buzz about him; at least in this household.

I want to see him pitch, I just never think about it when the opportunity arises. Being 19, 165 pounds and throwing easy 94-95, with clean mechanics is a dream arm. His cut down on walks has been so dramatic, one has to think it was a mechanical thing that’s been fixed.

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 Aug 9, 2009 2:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Interesting stuff from Rome...

http://romenews-tribune.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Rome+Braves+close+homestand+with+win%20&id=3131030-Rome+Braves+close+homestand+with+win&instance=home_page

Debate over who’s spot in the rotation Minor is going to take, since he’s just joined the club. And also, we can expect Diory Hernandez to return to AAA Monday as Omar Infante has competed his rehab assignment.

by Mr. Sanchez on Aug 9, 2009 3:28 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Jordan Schafer question

Anybody know for sure if he’s still with the team? I know he’s injured, but has he been sent home for the year, or is he still with the team at games? Not what players normally do – I’d like to know if anybody knows for sure.
Thanks in advance….

by secondbass on Aug 9, 2009 6:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs