Braves Making the Team Meter 2010: Week 4

by gondeee on Mar 18, 2010 7:00 AM EDT

This week we combine the pitchers and the hitters into one big MTM. If you're looking for last week's MTM's go here. The Braves made their first roster cuts, and most of those players were already cut from the MTM, so it was no one unexpected. Those roster cuts can be found here.

Player, Position	This Week's Trend	Last Week	Notes and Comments
Brooks Conrad, 2B			He is looking like the front runner for the backup infield spot. He's neck and neck offensively with Thurston, but it may be his spectacular defense that is giving him an edge.
Gregor Blanco, OF			I would imagine that he's still in camp merely as a backup for the later innings. He hasn't been getting any significant playing time.
Brandon Hicks, SS			He's looked really good in the field, and okay at the plate. I've gotta think that Bobby's keeping him around to get extra looks at him for a possible mid-year call-up. Still, he'll probably be in the next round of cuts.
Joe Thurston, 2B			Right there with Conrad, and rightfully deserving of a roster spot as a backup, but ultimately he'll likely be the backup to the backup at Gwinnett. We'll keep his chances at even though, as a lot can happen in the last couple of weeks.
Brent Clevlen, OF			He's just not doing anything with his playing time this spring. He keeps getting chances, but he's not getting hits.
Jason Heyward, OF			His hand is twice the size of my hand... but I'm sure that's the only thing.
Mitch Jones, OF			Still with just one hit on the spring. I imagine he's in the next round of cuts.
Matt Young, OF			The little guy survived the first round of cuts, but he probably won't survive the second.

Player, Position	This Week's Trend	Last Week	Notes and Comments
Manny Acosta, RHP			Okay, so all that early spring hype about Manny was just that... hype. He's come back down to earth and shown his true colors of bullpen combustibility.
Jesse Chavez, RHP			He's out to prove it's not how you start spring training, it's how you finish it. He's been good the last couple of times out and it looks like he's earning his role back.
Michael Dunn, LHP			Much like Chavez, he's working his way back into the role that was supposed to be his.
Mariano Gomez, LHP			He's been way too hittable this spring. I think he might be in the next round of cuts.
Craig Kimbrel, RHP			I'm going to keep on keeping him on the bubble at 50-50. He hasn't stumbled this spring, and everyone wants to see what he can ultimately do. While I'm being optimistic, he will likely be cut, as he could probably use some more minor league experience, but stranger things have happened.
Jeff Lyman, RHP			He survived the first round of cuts and he's done really well this spring. He throws again today, so we'll see if he can keep on sticking around.
Scott Proctor, RHP			He threw simulated innings on back to back days for the first time early in the week, and he'll get into his first Grapefruit League game this Friday. I really think Bobby wants him in the bullpen when the bell rings.
Jo-Jo Reyes, LHP			Jo-Jo regressed a bit last week, but he's still got a chance at a bullpen role. He pitches on Sunday.
Jonny Venters, LHP			A lot of talk about this young kid who keeps doing all the right things. He's another arm in the mix, though he's probably still behind Dunn and Reyes.

Arrow Key:
= Chance of making the team is waffling or 50-50.
= Chance of making the team is trending down.
= Chance of making the team is trending up.

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Comments

What is the deal with Proctor and service time?...

He more than Heyward makes sense to send down for at least a few weeks to delay his service clock and game an extra cheap year out of the system. Seriously, how much would he be used in those first couple weeks and how big of a drop off would he be from Chavez, Jojo, Lyman, or others. What do we have to lose by sending him down for a month to get 100%?

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 18, 2010 8:34 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Methinks Proctor and Reyes will eventually end up with the last two bullpen spots while Chavez, Kimbrel, and Dunn get the AAA treatment. And I’m pretty sure everyone wants Conrad to get the last bench spot. Any Thurston supporters out there?

by BahamaBrave on Mar 18, 2010 9:21 AM EDT reply actions

I’m not a Thurston supporter for the last spot, but I am glad we signed him and will have him available for a call up in AAA.
He will most likely get 1-2 stints in the majors throughout the season.

by Rocky1013 on Mar 18, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Thurston vs. Conrad...

I honestly don’t care. It’s the last bench spot, getting little use. Because of that I tend to lean toward letting the kid stay down and keep getting regular at bats. But Conrad is on the 40 man, and Thurston is not meaning someone (Marek?) would have to be exposed to waivers. In that sense, it’s not a huge difference between one or the other to me.

And I’d like Chavez over Proctor at least to start the season. For one, there’s the month on the farm that gives us next year and arbitration…http://capitolavenueclub.com/?p=1273…, and as said above with Thurston, Proctor is not on the 40 man roster (Marek? Acosta? among others that could be waived/designated for assignment), so choosing Chavez has the added bonus of not losing a guy in addition to the extra year of Proctor (if the club wanted to play that game).

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 18, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

You'd think that last bench spot wouldn't be that important

until at every important spot late in games last year we watched Greg Norton roll a weak ground ball to first. That last spot tends to be important late in games, especially with all the substituting bobby likes to do.

by liv4sport100 on Mar 18, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Norton was the primary pinch hitter apparently...

as he was the year before. This year we have Hinske, Cabrera, Infante for that job.

by Mr. Sanchez on Mar 18, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Should the arrows for Acosta and Chavez be switched? J/W

"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."

by justincredubil02 on Mar 18, 2010 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

Seems like it.

by bravesfan91 on Mar 18, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

seems right to me

by eaheckman10 on Mar 18, 2010 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Can we put McClouth on this list (kidding), but holy hell he has been bad this spring… what do you think is his deal?

Jair Jurrjens for Cy Young 2010

by Adamal24 on Mar 18, 2010 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

Is it his eyes?

Heard he has had eye problems. Maybe he is not seeing the ball well, which would explain all the strikeouts too

by Trek on Mar 18, 2010 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

He was hitting well before coming to Atl,

could it be his current hitting coach, just sayin’ ?

When asked what aspects of Heyward’s game need improvement, one scout simply replied, "Nothing."

by HEYJUDE on Mar 18, 2010 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

or...

was he on the juice? i thought he got his eye problems fixed during the offseason

Jair Jurrjens for Cy Young 2010

by Adamal24 on Mar 18, 2010 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Since Oct/Nov

He has never worn glasses or contacts before. Now he does werarcontacts. I can’t imagine trying to hit Major League pitching for the 1st time with vision correction lenses. There is no doubt in my mind that is what his problem is.

by bighop on Mar 18, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

The Juice? Nate? Have you seen the ankle-biter???

"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."

by justincredubil02 on Mar 18, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions

haha yeah i’ve seen him, he could still be jacked in that little frame and he hit a ton of bombs for a little guy..

Jair Jurrjens for Cy Young 2010

by Adamal24 on Mar 19, 2010 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions

but I’m sure that’s the only thing

Good save

After seeing Kimbrel pitch for the first time, all I can say is wow. His fastball explodes out of his hand and it looks remarkably easy despite his slight stature.

"Four of us wolves, running around the desert together in Las Vegas, looking for strippers and cocaine..."

by jeg on Mar 18, 2010 2:36 PM EDT reply actions