Braves Minor League Recap: 4/22
by cbwilk on Apr 23, 2010 1:34 AM EDT
in Braves Minor League Recaps
Email
Print
Gwinnett 8, Norfolk 3
Freddie Freeman hit 2 more monsterous home runs, giving him 3 in two games, as part of a perfect day where he fell a triple short of the cycle. With 6 hits in his last 8 at bats Freddie has raised his average from .176 to .254, a perfect example of why putting too much stock into early season performances is silly. Every hitter in the Gwinnett lineup had a hit except shortstop Brandon Hicks, whose struggles continue as he collected a hat trick. The bullpen was good again, as Mariano Gomez and Cory Gearrin both threw 2 scoreless innings and Gearrin struck out the side in the 8th.
Mississippi 6, Mobile 4
Eric Duncan hasn't done much the last few years playing for the Yankees' AAA teams, but he's destroying the Southern League. Cody Johnson is 3 for his last 7 with just one strikeout, raising his average from .179 to .217 in that span. He also managed to steal home tonight as part of a double steal with catcher Orlando Mercaco. Erik Cordier put in a solid but not overwhelming start and Lee Hyde not only collected a save but drove in a run with an RBI double.
Myrtle Beach 3, Winston-Salem 9
Gerry Rodriguez ended his seven game hitting streak, picking up the hat trick instead. JJ Hoover wasn't able to hold the apparently potent Dash offense at bay (that's right, they're the Dash now, not the Warthogs like I've called them the last 2 days), turning in his first poor start of the season. Van Pope made his professional pitching debut and managed to do most of the things it's possible for a pitcher to do, giving up a home run, hitting a batter, giving up a few hits, giving up another pitcher's run, and striking a batter out. The only thing he didn't do might be the most important: he didn't walk anyone.
Rome 3, Kannapolis 9
The R-Braves banged out 14 hits, 2 more than their opponents, yet were only able to score 3 runs. What the heck was going on in this game? Jordan Kreke had a perfect day and raised his average from .196 to .260. Kyle Rose steals another bag but gets caught again immediately after when he tried to take third base. Unfortunately, David Hale's rought start to the season continues, as he was knocked around for 5 innings, but, fortunately, Robinson Lopez's hot start to the season continues, as he struck out 5 of the 7 batters he faced.
28 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
8 CS from Kyle Rose already?
Damn. That’s bad Kyle. Very bad.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
Yeah, 5/13 is pretty much horrible.
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
by Smoltz's Beard on Apr 23, 2010 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s like Esco status right there.
"(Jason Heyward) is like the Grim Reaper -- you know he's going to get you, you just don't know where or when."
by Scott Coleman on Apr 23, 2010 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions
maybe he’s just working on his stealing technique and trying things out. Without seeing these guys in person, it’s tough to just accept something so weird just from the stats.
What kind of stealing techniques would those be? Run faster?
by yondaime4 on Apr 23, 2010 2:24 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Isn’t he really, really fast though?
"Hey Fat Kid...the monster is right behind you! RUNNNN!!" -The Host
by bwellnjonesco on Apr 23, 2010 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions
What do we know about the pitchers Freeman embarrassed tonight? Legit?
Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...
Meh…didn’t look too legit to me.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Apr 23, 2010 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Coming into the year Brandon Erbe was rated as the Orioles number 7 prospect. Last year, mostly with AA, he was 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He’s off to a rough start at AAA, giving up way too many hits and generally getting knocked around. But, he’s a very good pitcher and it was a case of one young guy getting the better of another.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
Laundry list of thoughts on the farm:
Freeman, hell of a game, kid. That’s just great to see. Great.
Cory Gearrin is close to ready, and Bobby loves those mid-90’s sinkers guys. I think he’s got a fairly bright future as a reliever, probably sooner than later.
Brandon Hicks has always been one of my boys, but, man, he’s off to an awful start. He may end up being an all-glove, no bat utility player. Still, his glove is superb.
The Eric Duncan pick up is looking genius.
Lee Hyde is our best left handed relief prospect at this point. Followed by Michael Dunn, but watch out for Thomas Palica, he’s right there with them IMO.
J.J. Hoover got fatter this off season and his pitches aren’t moving as much, probably as a result of the weight gain. Dude needs to get back in shape. I was really high on him as a starter, but if he continues to struggle the organization may have to move him to the ’pen.
Cool to see Van Pope getting some mound work. I’m pulling like crazy for the kid, I hope he becomes dominant. I hated him as a hitter, but I love stories like this (who doesn’t?). Also, if he makes it as a pitcher, maybe he can be a defensive replacement, too. He’s still got a plus glove on the left side of the infield.
I had high hopes for David Hale making it as a starter, but from what I’ve heard from my sally scouts, his stuff just isn’t going to play in a rotation. Still, his mid-to-upper 90’s fastball and plus change will work in the back end of a bullpen, so he’s still got a decent chunk of upside.
Bethancourt I’m skeptical of. He does a lot of things well defensively, but that part of his game still needs a lot of refinement. And I’m not convinced he’ll hit, either. He’s the closest thing to a “lottery ticket” among the position players in our system. Apart from Luis Sumoza.
What is Jeffrey Lorick up to? He’s one of my favorite ‘09 draftees. He was mediocre at UVA, but he dominated in both his wood-bat league stints in Cape Cod, and his professional debut last year was impressive. I assume he’s in extended spring training, waiting for an assignment, but it’d be a shame if he’s out of commission with an injury.
Cory Harrilchak is my other ‘09 draftee sleeper. If you haven’t seen him yet, make the trip to Rome next time you can, he’s got 70 speed and plus bat control. He’s got a chance to be an elite defensive corner OF w/ an average bat. Plus arm, too. You’ll probably also have the privilege of watching some dominant pitching, seeing as Rome’s staff is stacked.
Robinson Lopez is in the same conversation as Randall Delgado, Julio Teheran, and Arodys Vizcaino for me. He’s got a GREAT arm.
Don’t look now, but Mike Minor is missing a ton of bats in AA Mississippi. Dude flat out knows how to pitch. I don’t think he’ll be elite, but I think the Braves will be very, very glad to have him for a long time.
Beyond the Box Score / Capitol Avenue Club / shwitter: @CapitolAvenue
J.J. Hoover got fatter this off season and his pitches aren’t moving as much, probably as a result of the weight gain. Dude needs to get back in shape.
Have to totally disagree with you on this one (although I do agree with many of your other comments). This guy spends HOURS a day at the gym and works really hard to stay in shape…..It really frustrates me when young players move up a level, have a couple of rough outings and everyone just wants to toss them under the bus right away….same with D. Hale….geez people…be patient…..
With Hale...
I think part of it is no one assumes he stays in a rotation anyway. There are obviously benefits to having players who will ultimately become relief pitchers starting in the minors, but I think that may explain why some would think he could be removed from Rome’s rotation. It’s not like they lack other options with Devall and others down in extended spring, plus a handful of guys with starting experience in the Rome bullpen like Paul Clemens, Robinson Lopez, Cory Rasmus, Ryan Weber, and Luis Avilan.
by Mr. Sanchez on Apr 23, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Lopez may be the most intriguing arm in our system...
Robinson Lopez is in the same conversation as Randall Delgado, Julio Teheran, and Arodys Vizcaino for me. He’s got a GREAT arm.
Truth. He’s actually the youngest pitcher in full season ball for us, and made this team over a pair of guys in Stovall and Brewer who have pretty fantastic stuff themselves. I mean he’s five months younger than Vizcaino, has better size at 6’2", and they throw at a similar velocity.
legalize it, don't criticize it.
I completely disagree on Bethancourt, the kid is a stud. His talent is ridiculously obvious and he’s smart enough to put the work in and learn the right way to use it.
JJ Hoover looked pretty much the exact same this year as he did last year and the year before, so I don’t know where this ‘he got fatter’ stuff comes from.
I agree that David Hale should eventually end up in the bullpen, but it’s worth letting him work as a starter for a while.
And I’ve never been much of a fan of Brandon Hicks, aside from his stellar defense. I didn’t think he should have been at AAA to start the year and after watching him this week I’m much more positive of that.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
David Hale
I think Hale needs to move back to the pen and Lopez needs to be starting. Listening at the Rome game the announcer said Hale was 90-91 with his FB. Last season out of the pen he was 95-96 consistently topping out at 98.
One more
Brent Clevlen. I think he was our best minor league signing (apart from Salcedo) this past off season. I think he can turn into a Carlos Quentin/Ryan Ludwick/Jayson Werth type player—one that was picked up for nothing but becomes an impact RH-hitting OF.
Beyond the Box Score / Capitol Avenue Club / shwitter: @CapitolAvenue
He looked terrible in ST but I agree
I think he’s poised to have one of those “out of nowhere” type breakouts i.e. Garrett Jones.
"He also managed to steal home tonight as part of a double steal with catcher Orlando Mercaco."
Mobile must be really, really bad defensively. Damn. Slowest double steal ever?
And sounds like about time to move Robinson Lopez into the rotation and Hale to the pen.
you probably won’t see Lopez in the rotation proper because he has a strict innings limit this season.
good point...
or at least not until later I’d guess. Any idea what that limit is? I’d guess around 100 innings total.
by Mr. Sanchez on Apr 23, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
And no response on the strange mental image of...
someone not known for his speed in Johnson stealing home, in a “double steal” also involving a C with a combined 5 steals in 475 minor league games prior to this year. No one else something had to go wrong for Mobile for the M Braves to pull that off?
by Mr. Sanchez on Apr 23, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Cody isn’t really that slow. Heck, he’s got 3 steals already this year.
I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it: https://www.createspace.com/3407939
www.dropoutproductions.com
There are a lot of misconceptions about CJ
1. He’s slow (His speed is pretty average to me ala Chipper)
2. He has poor plate discipline (His eye is pretty good, he just has major holes in his swing)
[only built for cuban linx]
by Mighty Healthy on Apr 23, 2010 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Well his plate discipline has improved each year until this one it hasn’t been good so far (still early). But you are right its his ability to make contact that limits hom
by yondaime4 on Apr 23, 2010 2:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Talking Chop
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- James Loney: Umpires should call pitches from behind mound — and be robots with replay
- Magglio Ordonez set to retire after 15 seasons
- Barry Bonds thinks it will be ‘very sad’ if he doesn’t get into the Hall on his first try
- Chris Johnson’s glove webbing had a Spidey sense at Coors Field — for one play, at least
- Jonathan Lucroy breaks hand after suitcase falls during search for sock
