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Day at Braves Minor League Camp plus Big TC News

It was another fun day at the Braves Minor League camp here in Orlando, Florida. The players are still doing a bunch of drills in the early morning, but they start throwing off the mound and taking BP by 11 or so, and that is a bit more exciting. I spent a lot of time talking with TC reader rbravesfan. She's a good source of info for many of the players who pass through Rome.

I got several more interviews today including Todd Redmond, a great one with Adam Milligan (who is super-cool, and country), Mike Minor, Cole Roghrbough (some interesting info here), Mycal Jones, and Robby Hefflinger. Speaking of Robby Hefflinger, the big Talking Chop news is that it looks like he's going to be joining the Talking Chop team this season, keeping a weekly diary about his experiences in the Minor Leagues. We may be adding another player also, so I'll keep you updated on that development. As it stands, I'm super-excited to have Robby on board, sharing his Minor League experiences with you.

I have to say that the group that was at Danville last year and who will be at Rome this year seem like a great group of kids. After drafting players in years past with some questionable personalities, the Braves seem to be focusing as much on talent as on positive baseball personalities the last couple of years. Guys like Mycal Jones and Hefflinger are very approachable and seem to love to play the game. They hang out with a bunch of players from last year's draft that include Matt Weaver, Jordan Kreke, Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg, Kyle Rose, and Jace Whitmer. I've never seen a group of young players bond so quickly, and that's just the hitters.

By the way, Jace Whitmer is huge. He's every bit of the 6'4" he's listed at. If he can adjust to the wooden bat and improve his catching, he might be a big power hitter in a few years. As tall as Whitmer is, Hefflinger is taller and more imposing. Ty'Relle Harris also impressed me, and impressed Kurt Kemp as well, during his mound session. He looks smaller and leaner and more of a physical specimen than I remember him being last year. He's also another tall one, and he could be a nice sleeper relief candidate this year.

I've already said that everything Edward Salcedo does is impressive. He's also a super-friendly kid, and he already seems to fit in well here at Braves camp with all the other players. Arodys Vizcaino and Julio Teheran seem to be joined at the hip.

Tom Glavine has been around the Minor League camp for the past two days while the big club has been in Jupiter. He's mainly been watching from behind the batting cage on the field or standing in the corner watching the pitchers throw. He seems to have been keeping a low profile.

That's all for now. Tomorrow's my last day at spring training when the Braves face Detroit here at Disney. Hopefully I'll get to talk to a few more players and I'll have those interviews for you in the coming days and weeks.

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Salcedo, Vizcaino and Teheran +

Heyward, Hanson, BMac and Co. =

Championships.

Omar Minaya is my hero!
"I'm not even allowed in Mexico."

by mvhsbball on Mar 18, 2010 7:55 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

Yeah, I’m pretty damn excited about our system right now. Probably more than I ever have been.

by gondeee on Mar 18, 2010 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

I feel the future of the Braves is only going to get better, if that's possible :)

I can’t wait for the season to begin. I think it’s gonna be a fun and exciting year to be a Braves fan!

I’m looking forward to reading your interviews in the near future!

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

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

No Freeman?!?!

But I do agree though our home grown talent is awesome and our system is totally stacked. Bethancourt and Randall Delgado are guys that don’t get enough pub to me but this season could go a long way in improving their stock in the system with a great season.

by Jay212033 on Mar 18, 2010 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

I said “and Co.”. Freeman is without a doubt part of the “and Co.”

Omar Minaya is my hero!
"I'm not even allowed in Mexico."

by mvhsbball on Mar 18, 2010 8:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

What about Milligan

If you haven’t learned I am a huge believer in this kid. I think he will be a Matt Diaz type player who will be the perfect complement to JHey and Schafer. I’m telling you this kid will be good. Thanks for that interview Gondeee, I can’t wait to read that one…. along with the rest.

Phuck the Phillies

by JKowalek on Mar 18, 2010 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

I love him too

But I’d like to see him play in a tougher league against guys his age before we start penciling him in as our future outfielder.

Omar Minaya is my hero!
"I'm not even allowed in Mexico."

by mvhsbball on Mar 18, 2010 9:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

I can't argue with that

I want to see him in AA ball, too. But he is a prospect and it’s a projection. I love what I’ve seen and heard so far and I can’t wait to see the future. I know he is older than CoJo and doesn’t have the power. But I see Matty D all over him and someone we know will give it all every play.

Plus!!! Our last corner OF that was a star HS football player turned out great for us!!!

Phuck the Phillies

by JKowalek on Mar 18, 2010 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

Never again bring up

He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. I don’t wanna scare the children.

Omar Minaya is my hero!
"I'm not even allowed in Mexico."

by mvhsbball on Mar 18, 2010 10:12 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions  

Who would you rather in your Back Field/Out Field

6’4 – 205 lbs – 4.5 40yd – 4star

6’2 – 200lbs – 4.6 40yd – 2 star

Phuck the Phillies

by JKowalek on Mar 18, 2010 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

Aw come on Gondeee spill the beans on Rohrbough.

Was he injured last season and he didn’t tell anyone i.e. Schafer or was it the off the field issues/depression?

Also did you see Brewer, Lopez or Stovall if so how did they look?

Finally I absolutely love every bit of news I’m hearing on Salcedo, Teheran and Vizcaino. So far all reports on Salcedo’s plus tools have been accurate so far granted it’s practice but you can still tell if a guy’s special or not. And I am really loving how Teheran is taking the leadership role and showing Vizcaino the ropes. CB reported earlier thatTeheran is showing Vizacino “The Braves Way” of doing things.

by Jay212033 on Mar 18, 2010 8:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Player Diary

That is too cool. Really looking forward to reading the Minor League scoop from a player. Great job getting that lined up.

by bighop on Mar 18, 2010 8:39 PM EDT reply actions  

We did that at the paper I used to work for

It was really good, when done properly.

"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??"

by Doghnut on Mar 19, 2010 7:49 AM EDT up reply actions  

Agreed. For those of us who don’t get to go out to the minors much at all its going to be pretty interesting.

by soup du jour on Mar 19, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions  

That’s awesome that Heflinger will keep a diary for the blog

by eaheckman10 on Mar 18, 2010 9:04 PM EDT reply actions  

Great stuff man. I’ve been having a blast here in Dunedin the last two days, but I’m jealous. I did get to tell Cito Gaston how he broke my little 9 year old heart in 91.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Mar 18, 2010 10:39 PM EDT reply actions  

Short-time reader, first post.
 
Thanks for this awesome info. It’s like I’m down there in Florida myself. Lovin it.

tUMD Hockey: In search of a title! But probably not this year.

by UMDBHIK on Mar 19, 2010 12:37 PM EDT reply actions  

Jace Whitmer has some wood bat experience in summer ball. He played with the Anchorage Glacier Pilots in 2007, though he didn’t get many AB and failed to crack the Mendoza Line. So I guess maybe that’s not very confidence-inspiring.

49th State Hardball
Fan Blog of the Alaska Baseball League

by Sweatsack on Apr 1, 2010 2:08 PM EDT reply actions  

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