Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 5/3 (Edit: now with more Jordan Schafer)

by yondaime4 on May 3, 2010 10:59 PM EDT in Braves Minor League Recaps

Pawtucket 2, Gwinnett 4

W. Timmons 1-2 3B, 2 RBI, BB, SB(6), .315
F. Freeman 2-2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, .277
J. Parr 6.2IP 5H 2R 3BB 3K 3.62
C. Kimbrel 2.1IP 2H 0R 0BB 4K 1.20

Gwinnett continues to cruise along winning 7 of their last 8 games. Freddie Freeman has been fantastic lately and has seen his OPS creeping it way to .800 as he is hitting the ball with authority and walking more while cutting his Ks down significantly. Wes Timmons might have the best eye in the minors and can apparently swipe a base as well. He isn't known for his power but I have to believe that his ability to be on base constantly is valuable to someone. Craig Kimbrel had maybe his most impressive outing of the season as he didn't walk anyone in what was his longest appearance. He threw 35 pitches but 27 of them were strikes.

Mississippi 1, Jacksonville 5

W. Cabrera 2-4 2B, .256
S. Marek 1.1IP 2H 0R 0BB 2K 0.00
M. Stanton 2-4 HR(13), 3 RBI, K, .360

Mississippi hitters managed just 4 hits and 1 walk in this game and Mike Stanton hit another homer.

Myrtle Beach 1, Potomac 4

C. Miles 1-3 .269
J. Sucre 1-2 .262
R. Barba 2-2 2 2B, .229

Myrtle Beach continues to struggle in pretty much every way possible. Their offense is downright terrible and the pitching staff isn't any better. Juan Abreu actually lowered his ERA in this game to 9.22 with 1.2 hitless innings. Adam Milligan did not play and has been getting days off lately. Whether it is for injury or just coaching purposes I can't say.

Hagerstown 6, Rome 5

K. Rose 1-5 K, SB(10), .345
J. Schafer 1-4 BB, K, CS, .250
R. Hefflinger 4-5 .250
J. Kreke 2-5 2B, RBI, .253
D. Hale 5IP 7H 3R 1BB

I somehow totally missed Jordan Schafer's return to professional baseball. He played tonight and held his own against the inferior competition. I can't wait to see how he does now that he is (supposedly) fully healed. Robert Hefflinger picked up his first hits since returning to action last week but the offense couldn't get him home more than once. David Hale had better results than he has had in recent games but I am still not encouraged by his peripherals. Hopefully he experience will start catching up to his talent soon and we can really see what we have here. Ryan Weber gave up 3 runs in just 0.2 inning of work and continues to oscillate between good and bad.

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When are we going to see Freeman up here

He’s tearing the cover off the ball. If Glaus doesn’t keep hitting like he did this weekend, Freeman should be up by June

I'll put you through hell, but at the end of it all we'll be champions.

by REG233710 on May 3, 2010 11:33 PM EDT reply actions

I’d be shocked if we saw him this year… maybe 40 man but i doubt it.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN..... HEYWARD HYSTERIA IS UNDERWAY

by JKowalek on May 3, 2010 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Chances are it would take Freddie the same amount of time to adjust to the majors as it did/is for Glaus. September callup is earliest

"Batting second and playing shortstop-he's Cuban. Yeah, his name's Pablo...no, eh, Yunel Escobar, sorry"

by GoBravesNY on May 3, 2010 11:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Glaus is fine

He is a career .255 hitter.

Freeman wont be here until next year unless Glaus AND Hinske go down for an extended period of time

by drumzalicious on May 4, 2010 1:28 AM EDT up reply actions

This

Glaus is coming around and starting to be what the Braves were looking for when they signed him. I see Freeman getting a chance in Spring Training next year.

"Braves fans in the hizzy" -Boog
"Is that like the crib?" - Joe

by GwinnettBraves on May 4, 2010 3:51 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

bingo

Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...

by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Everyone was sleeping on freeman

after his struggles due to injury in AA, but he is fine and still an elite prospect who should be our starter next year =]

by JasonHeywardisGod on May 3, 2010 11:33 PM EDT reply actions

ummmm

maybe if you’re talking about non-braves fans. But I think the big majority on here still thought he was a very good prospect. And for that matter, most other people who knew prospects did as well.

R.I.P Jazz #6

by was385 on May 4, 2010 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, there were really two concerns. One was the injury, two was his approach. The first one is all but silenced, but I’d like to see him refine his approach more.

He has been doing better lately, though. Had a real good week.

Beyond the Box Score / Capitol Avenue Club / shwitter: @CapitolAvenue

by PWHjort on May 4, 2010 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought his approach was one of the things people liked about him?

by FitzFan on May 4, 2010 2:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I’d like to see him hit for more power as well..

[only built for cuban linx]

by Mighty Healthy on May 4, 2010 3:44 AM EDT up reply actions

yondaime

You do a hell of a job with this, but i got to call you out tonight. No mention of Schafer? What’s up with that? 1 for 4 with a BB, K and 2 R

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN..... HEYWARD HYSTERIA IS UNDERWAY

by JKowalek on May 3, 2010 11:43 PM EDT reply actions

Hey Matt

Dunno if this was asked before (probably was), but what does Hale project as. And when? If I’m reading this correctly he seems like a Meds type- long reliever and spot starter. Sound correct?

"Batting second and playing shortstop-he's Cuban. Yeah, his name's Pablo...no, eh, Yunel Escobar, sorry"

by GoBravesNY on May 3, 2010 11:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

a lot of scouts had him pegged as a reliever/closer coming out of college but the Braves have used him mostly as a starter and haven’t given any indication that they want to use him as a reliever. Remember medlen was more a reliever until he reached AA and they tried him starting in the second half of that year and he took off then and the next season. Hale is raw enough however that maybe the extra innings are an attempt to get him to use his secondary pitches more to get a better feel for them. I would say long term look for him to be a late inning guy if his secondary stuff develops and he gets some control.

by yondaime4 on May 4, 2010 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Much Better

haha

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN..... HEYWARD HYSTERIA IS UNDERWAY

by JKowalek on May 4, 2010 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Tonight was a great example. He looked pretty great through 3 then things kind of got away from him. I think he will end up as a reliever, but this is a common, and very good practice of putting innings on a guy early.

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

by cbwilk on May 4, 2010 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Wagner and Mariano Rivera

spent the majority of their time as minor leaguers starting.

Freeman is warming up, just waitin on that HR power to emerge. And I think it’s safe to say Kimbrel is ready.

by Mr. Sanchez on May 4, 2010 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Did I read correctly that he had a 16GB to 3FB ratio? That’s pretty impressive,,,how did the Rome defense look at getting to these grounders?

"Hey Fat Kid...the monster is right behind you! RUNNNN!!" -The Host

by bwellnjonesco on May 4, 2010 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions

The defense wasn’t great last night. Myke Jones had a bad night; he threw a few balls a way, and just plain booted a few others. Jordan Kreke looked a lot better at third than when I saw him last year; I was very impressed. Derek Wiley looked Ok at first and so did Weaver at second. Sometimes in A ball you get victimized by your own defense and while that wasn’t totally the case with Hale last night, it certainly was a factor.

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

by cbwilk on May 4, 2010 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Anyone catch the Acostalypse tonight in extra innings?

"Just when I thought you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!" -Harry (Jeff Daniels)

by tripl21 on May 3, 2010 11:53 PM EDT reply actions

Yep and the Phuckers lost to the Cardinals too. Good off-night for the Braves.

"(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 May 3, 2010 11:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

yes sir

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN..... HEYWARD HYSTERIA IS UNDERWAY

by JKowalek on May 4, 2010 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Time to head over to AA…

Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...

by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions

You could see Schafer’s confidence grow as the game went on. I think once he realized he could swing hard and miss without pain then he knew he’d be fine. The single came in his last at bat and as I heard a veteran pitcher once say, “that had urine on it.”

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

by cbwilk on May 4, 2010 12:52 AM EDT reply actions

thats good

means his next few games should be AMAZING lol

by drumzalicious on May 4, 2010 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Jordan Schafer

CB probably got way better pics…so I had to get one in before he made a monster post……

by rbravesfan on May 4, 2010 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

It’ll be a while. I still have to make one for Gwinnett’s 4 games in Norfolk.

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

by cbwilk on May 4, 2010 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Schafer

Can’t wait to see Logan back up in the bigs.

I think other than J-Hey he will be by far the most exciting player on the team. This team lacks a bit of that youthful game-changing talent that Schafer can bring when healthy.

60% of the time, it works every time

by ATLandUNC on May 4, 2010 12:53 AM EDT reply actions

word

[only built for cuban linx]

by Mighty Healthy on May 4, 2010 3:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Um, I can think of where to use him.

He isn’t known for his power but I have to believe that his ability to be on base constantly is valuable to someone.

Too bad he isn’t an outfielder… we really need a leadoff hitter…

And with Chipper maybe in his last year… and Heyward ready for the 3 spot….

God typed "iddqd" before creating Jason Heyward.

by EyePod on May 4, 2010 7:05 AM EDT reply actions

Great recap of the nights action. Great to see Schafter getting some AB’s and I hope he’s healthy and joins Gwinnett later this month so we can see him live and get some pictures.

I’m also glad Freeman is hitting better now. I can’t wait to see him playing alongside Heyward at the Ted.

by Dave_D on May 4, 2010 8:50 AM EDT reply actions

With Freeman's consistent play this year

I think it’s safe to say the rumors for Adrian Gonzalez can be put to rest. No need to sell the farm (pun intended) like what happened in the Tex trade.

by yaggiefresh on May 4, 2010 8:58 AM EDT reply actions

13 bombs already? Good lord…

Another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults...

by Smoltz's Beard on May 4, 2010 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

Imagine drafting him instead of Gilmore or Fields...

And looking at a future 3-4-5 of Heyward, Stanton, Freeman, in addition to the other young talent we have.

by Mr. Sanchez on May 4, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

thats exactly what we need

we dont have a power RH bat for the middle of our future lineup

by drumzalicious on May 4, 2010 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep. That’s probably the only thing were missing in the minors . What about salcedo? What does he project as? and is what side does adam milligan bat?

by Braves24 on May 4, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Milligan is a lefty. Hefflinger is a righty however

by yondaime4 on May 4, 2010 2:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

i dont think

Salcedo projects to have an enormous amount of power. Maybe somewhere in the 20-25 range im not sure.

DOB claims that if the Braves moved Prado over to 3B that he could bulk up and hit some HRs

I kinda wouldnt mind Prado hitting 3rd and Heyward hitting cleanup

by drumzalicious on May 4, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t really agree with that assessment. I just don’t see Prado gaining enough power to make it worthwhile at 3B. He’d top out at 20 in my opinion, which would be outstanding at 2B but average or below at 3B.

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

by cbwilk on May 4, 2010 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Andrew Lambo

I know he’s not a Braves guy, but as a Lookouts player I’ve followed him some and it’s a shame he’s getting a 50 game suspension. Ron Washington gets a mere slap on the rest for cocaine yet Jeffress and Lambo have their careers in jeopardy over some ganja; and while all this is going on a far more deadly drug is being used during every single game across organized ball, and everyone over looks it.

Braves fans should know as well as anyone how messed up this minor league drug policy is, after we had our top prospect suspended 50 games on hearsay from a jealous player getting passed on the depth chart. These rules are unjust and prejudice.

legalize it, don't criticize it.

by timmy3 on May 4, 2010 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

What drug is being used during every single game across organized ball?

And I never could figure out why Tim Lincecum didn’t get popped for 50 for his marijuana stuff in the off season. Inconsistent rules to be sure.

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

by cbwilk on May 4, 2010 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

smokeless tobacco. Cancer is no joke.

I don’t think the big leaguers have to worry about being tested for marijuana either. And he just got busted by California which is just a small fine. Soon enough it won’t even be that there though.

legalize it, don't criticize it.

by timmy3 on May 5, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions