Braves Announce Non-Roster Spring Invitees
by gondeee on Feb 8, 2010 7:35 PM EST
44 comments
The Atlanta Braves announced the final list of their non-roster invitees for spring training today. The list includes top prospect Jason Heyward, expected to seriously compete for the starting right field job this spring. It's been debated over and over here at Talking Chop as to whether or not the Braves should start Heyward in the majors or give him more time in the minors, but we really have to wait and see how he performs in spring training.
Top first base prospect Freddie Freeman also got an invite for the second consecutive year. It will be interesting to see how he performs in his second major league spring training. Shortstop Brandon Hicks will also be in his second major league spring training.
Top draft pick from 2009, Mike Minor, gets an invite to spring training, as well as top draft pick from 2006, outfielder Cody Johnson. Two interesting pitchers to watch include reliever Craig Kimbrel, who some consider a future closer candidate, and Eric Cordier, a talented oft-injured former second-round pitcher who many expect to turn a corner this year. Diminutive and speedy outfielder Matt Young also received an invite.
The obligatory extra catchers also received invites, Jesus Sucre and Braeden Schlehuber, who join veteran invitees Orlando Mercado and the yearly sighting of J.C. Boscan.
Previous players receiving invites include position players Joe Thurston, Brent Clevlen, and Mitch Jones. Thurston has a chance to earn a role as a utility infielder, and Jones could contribute off the bench or in the outfield if Heyward fails to make the team.
The final three invitees are bullpen candidates Mariano Gomez, Chris Resop, and Scott Proctor, who will likely still be rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
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Question: Many of us are looking forward to Heyward getting the call to the majors. We’re also excited that Schafer is feeling good about his swing. McLouth is our starting center fielder. So where does that leave Matt Diaz? I would love for Matty to have a starting job. Not to mention Melky… whom I’d rather not mention. So what is our outfield going to look like this season if Heyward gets the job? If he doesn’t?
if Jordan started killin it in AAA
He’d move into CF, with Heyward in RF and a dicknasty platoon of MattyD and McLouth would be in LF.
BOIIIING.
Remember folks, I'm almost always wrong.
My sig was too long...
or trade mclouth?
or melky
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
or
trade McLouth and Melky and give Schafer and Matt Young the spots. Pretty far fetched, but if they both tear up AAA, I’d love it. Way too young and inexperienced, I know, but I’d hate to lose Matt Young to the rule 5 draft. Incredible OPS for a slap hitter, plus speed to burn. LF, CF, 2B, and as blocked as a man can get.
Matt Young really isn’t ML-starter material. Excellent guy to have on the bench though, its rare to find a OF/2B guy.
He did say to use Matt Young as the 4th OFer
by drumzalicious on Feb 8, 2010 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
trade Melky, he was a yankee
"The Braves were able to send Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz to the mound day after day... It was baseball nirvana"
Not really questioning the decision...
Because it’s really not worth questioning, but I do find it a bit curious that Cordier got an invite to big league camp over guys like Gearrin, Jake Thompson, and Diamond. I really think all three of those guys are more proven and qualified at this point. Cordier posted a 5.00 + FIP last year as a 23 yr old in High-A, and Sickels says his secondary stuff has regressed since high school.
I guess more than anything I’m disappointed that Gearrin isn’t getting a shot at big league camp this 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.
It feels like he keeps getting suppressed in the system. He was dominating in Myrtle, went up Mississippi, pitched well there, then had to go back down to Myrtle again, then got the call back up the Mississippi right at the end.
The numbers say he’s as good as any relief prospect we have, just a smidge less successful than Kimbrel, but Kimbrel is seemingly on a fast track while he’s kind of plodding along. But he’s got much better control than Kimbrel, seemingly, and that’s despite the side-arm motion. I’d love to see Gearrin get his shot sometime soon.
I think Gearrin will reach the majors this year anyway. But really the fact that he isn’t in big league camp is a testament to our pitching depth as much as anything.
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.
I agree that for whatever reason they seem to be holding him back. He told me that he got sent back to Myrtle Beach because of a numbers thing, which usually isn’t something that happens to guys they value. It does seem odd he didn’t get an invite. Whatever, plenty of relievers have started the year in Minor League camp and finished in the Majors.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
Which player are you most excited to watch besides Heyward and Freeman?
I’ll go with Cody Johnson and Craig Kimbrel. And to see how Glaus does at 1B for the first time in his career.
Remember folks, I'm almost always wrong.
My sig was too long...
You must not be local
Because both Heyward and Freeman played quite a bit in ST last season. Both guys played very well last year, Heyward made a spectacular catch to rob a guy of a HR last season. If your not local then I highly recommend MLBTV I get it and it awesome.
by Jay212033 on Feb 9, 2010 12:46 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
who is this Jason Heyward you speak of?
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
i heard he's
the son of Zeus and he’s been raised to toss steers into neighboring counties.
then he picked up a tree and hit water towers with it.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Feb 9, 2010 8:27 AM EST up reply actions
Where is Adam Milligan?
I like all the invites except that the Braves should have invited Adam Milligan.
I really like them inviting Matt Young, who I think should be given a shot. I like Mitch Jones’ power and I like Cody Johnson’s potential.
this
If CJ got an invite, so should Milligan.
Remember folks, I'm almost always wrong.
My sig was too long...
I hope that’s sarcasm. Cody has four years in the system working his butt off. Milligan has four months on his resume. And before anybody gives me some Mike Minor nonsense, he’s a first rounder, they’re just different. It was probably in his contract that he’d get an invite.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
eh
I forgot about the resume of CJ compared to Milligan…Idk, maybe I just wanna see Adam there since he’s a personal favorite? CJ def deserves a spot tho.
Remember folks, I'm almost always wrong.
My sig was too long...
Have you seen a picture of Milligan? That dude has a huge head. He’s the second coming of Kevin Mench.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
No I haven't...
But I’m sure you probably have one lol.
Remember folks, I'm almost always wrong.
My sig was too long...
by mvhsbball on Feb 9, 2010 1:02 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
could be
that Cody has been progressing for the last few years in the system and Milligan just really came on the radar.
by drumzalicious on Feb 8, 2010 11:57 PM EST up reply actions
could it be
that Milligan is old for his level and most scouts view him as nothing more than a 4 OF type while Johnson, if things pan out, could be a .260/40/120 guy.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Feb 9, 2010 8:27 AM EST up reply actions
if Mlligan isnt a LF than he isnt an OFer at all…especially not a 4th OF….you dont keep a 4th OF that can’t play any other position in the OF, unless u have some flexibility elsewhere…and I’ve never heard the 4th OF comment until now…
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
I *think*
he is on the 40 man, which means he automatically gets an invite.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
or you could just look on the TC homepage :)
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
Resop has a cannon.
Here are Pujols's stats: 1.000/1.000/4.000/5.000. That's right. He is batting a thousand, with a thousand OBP (naturally), and every hit has been a home run, and thus his OPS is a perfect 5.000.
Chris Resop=LF
lock it up
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
He kind of is though. He’s basically like having an extra coach on the team. Everybody respects him, especially the other Latino players. I don’t doubt that when he’s finally done playing he’ll end up coaching with the Braves. And you know what’s crazy? He’s only 30, he could play another 8 or 10 years.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
I agree, although he’s never caught before. The good news is that just because you didn’t get an official invite doesn’t mean they won’t call you over. Every year there are a few guys who basically spend all of ST with the big league team even though they’re officially with the minor leaguers.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
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