Atlanta Braves Minor League Recap: 8/21

by yondaime4 on Aug 22, 2010 12:04 AM EDT in Braves Minor League Recaps

Gwinnett 6, Charlotte 8

M. Young 3-4 2 2B, BB, 3 SB(30), .297 Avg
F. Freeman 1-4 HR(17), 2 RBI, BB, K,.309 Avg
J. Thurston 2-4 HR(10), 2 RBI, K, .259 Avg
W. Ramirez 1-4 HR(7), .214 Avg

Matt Young had one of the best all around nights of the season from any Braves hitter. He collected both his 30th double and 30th stolen base of the season which makes him one of 4 guys in the minors with that distinction and the only guy above Low A to have pulled it off. Matt Young is really making his case to get a shot with the big club next season. Freddie Freeman continues to hit on days ending in 'Y'.

Mississippi 2, Tennessee 7

E. Duncan 1-4 HR(8), 2 RBI, 2K .278 Avg
JJ. Hoover 4.2IP 7H 4R 5BB 7K 7.71 ERA

J. J. Hoover made his first start in AA and he looked good through the first three innings striking out 5. After that he gave up a couple of extra base hits and allowed a few runs to cross. He was uncharacteristically wild and it ran up his pitch count. Eric Duncan provided the only offense with his 2 run homer in the first inning.

Kinston 7, Myrtle Beach 8

S. Sime 2-5 2B, 2 RBI, K, .258 Avg
C. Johnson 1-4 RBI, 3K, .308 Avg
J. Kreke 2-4 2B, RBI, K, .238 Avg

The Pelicans battled all game getting 2 runs in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 9th innings with Samuel Sime driving in the winning run in the bottom of the 9th. The pitching staff wasn't super effective with Matt Crim giving up 5 runs in 5 innings and Andrew Wilson giving up 2 runs in 2.1 innings of work. Luis Avilan worked 1.2 innings of relief to earn himself the vulture win.

West Virginia 4, Rome 3

K. Rose 1-3 BB, K, SB(22), CS(21), .269 Avg
R. Hefflinger 2-3 2 2B, BB, .248 Avg
D. Francis 4IP 2H 0R 1BB 8K 3.18 ERA

Kyle Rose did his thing again in this game though the caught stealing numbers are still a little worrying. Ihave faith that he can convert that raw speed, but it may take some time. Someone had a list the other day with David Francis on it saying we should give up on him. Really? The guy has been back and forth between two levels this year and hasn't been terrible at either one. Sure he is a reliever long term but he has a good arm and racks up the Ks.

Greeneville 4, Danville 9

J. Dalfonso 2-4 2B, BB, .308 Avg
B. Kleinknecht 2-4 HR(5), BB, K, .313 Avg
J. Whitmer 2-4 HR(1), .286 Avg
A. Simmons 3-5 2B, RBI, .252 Avg
K. Fleming 2-4 3 RBI, 2K, .217 avg

Barrett Kleinknecht continues his hot month with another big day. For the month he has a .901 OPS on top of a .350 average. I don't know what to expect from him long term but I am intrigued enough by his bat. The biggest question with him is the same one we have to ask about all the other bats we drafted this year: how much power will he develop? I fear that Andrelton Simmons has hit just enough for the Braves to try him back at SS next season when I think he is going to end up on the mound eventually.

GCL Blue Jays 6, GCL Braves 2

V. Cadette 1-3 HR(2), .216 Avg
C. Rohrbough 2IP 1H 0R 0BB 4K

I know it is only in Rookie ball, but any success I see Cole Rohrbough have I get excited about. The guy has a fantastic arm and whatever issues have plagued him for the last 2 seasons I hope he has straightened out. I look forward to him returning to full action next season and wish him luck on his return to prospect..hood..dom..stuff.

DSL Rangers 0, DSL Braves 4

L. Caballero 1-4 3B, 3K, .212 Avg
E. Garcia 6IP 4H 0R 0BB 5K 1.34 ERA

So the DSL team has gone from a bunch of guys that I don't really know anything about and can't find much info on, to their B team. So there's the game result!

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Comments

Freddie Freeman continues to hit on days ending in ‘Y’.

haha, I laughed out loud at this one.

"Look out Atlanta. Jason Heyward is going to wow you."
-Chipper

by kauf67 on Aug 22, 2010 12:21 AM EDT reply actions

haha i did 2

I pray to Jason Heyward every night

by JasonHeywardisGod on Aug 22, 2010 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Everyday, Yesterday.

There´s one day that doesn´t end in “Y”. Tomorrow. You should include it. LOL

by joshant on Aug 22, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions

But tomorrow never comes.

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 Aug 22, 2010 7:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Jason Heyward can make tomorrow come (in the biblical sense)

"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."

Dwight Schrute

by Swo12bv on Aug 22, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions

It is sunday, so biblical senses are acceptable.

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 Aug 22, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Freddie

Im so anxious to see what he can do next year for the big club…

by jrock308 on Aug 22, 2010 12:24 AM EDT reply actions

Freeman has come so much further this year than I thought he would.

My two big concerns for him were how his power would progress and is he going to walk enough. That’s why I love a line like tonight-even though he only got one hit, it was a home run, and he walked as well. He’s improved his walk rate this season despite having moved up to a higher level. He’s walking at an average rate now, and he’s flashing a ton of power. And the greater his power threat, the easier it will be for him to draw walks.

I can’t fault anything in Freeman’s numbers this year. He’s made the adjustments he’s needed to and he’s only getting better. I don’t really have any doubts now that he’ll do what he needs to do make it as a major leaguer. Before this season, I at least pictured the possibility that his power wouldn’t develop, at least not sufficiently for first base, and he might end up with the patience of Matt Diaz so he’d never walk enough. Right now, I’m certain that he’s going to do what it takes to succeed, and his power will be at least moderate as he approaches his prime years.

by Bronn on Aug 22, 2010 2:26 AM EDT reply actions

The great thing about Freeman is that he hits the ball where it’s pitched. He’s not trying to pull everything which is very good for a kid his age. I saw him hit a long HR to the opposite field in Gwinnett so the kid has power to all fields. You would like to see a little better BB/K rate but at 20 y.o. in AAA you can’t complain much.

by Jay212033 on Aug 22, 2010 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions

this

I was concerned about him skipping AA and thought he would two years before coming up. He did struggle for awhile but he has figured things out and has done great. Like u said, the walk rate has increased and the power is showing and STILL DEVELOPING. I don’t understand why he is ranked low among all prospects and first base prospects

by Braves24 on Aug 22, 2010 10:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

excuse me

He played in AA in the second half of last year, but had a wrist injury.

by Braves24 on Aug 22, 2010 10:49 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

v. LHP – .280 AVG, .325 OBP, .449 SLG
v. RHP – .319 AVG, .382 OBP, .536 SLG

He obviously dominates righties, but I would’ve expected a larger disparity. He could certainly improve against lefties, but he’s still above average. Let’s hope FF can keep improving his plate discipline and pitch recognition over the remainder of the season and in the AFL so he can make a splash with the big club next year.

by ducheneaux13 on Aug 22, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Dang, I didn’t realize he hit lefties so effectively either..

Thanks for the info.

"Check out this bitchin' homemade tesla coil!"

by bwellnjonesco on Aug 22, 2010 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that is a recent trend because at the beginning of the year he had a pretty extreme LH split. But it has improved, which is another great sign.

by yondaime4 on Aug 22, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Really, what does Matt Young have to do to get a shot?

I know he is a little old but he has been probably the best hitter at Gwinnett other than Freeman and maybe Timmons. I know some people say he is just a 4th outfielder but he has definitely put up the numbers to warrant a look at the big league level.

If Jason Heyward were to hit a home run off of you, you would have to fight the urge to thank him.

Everyone plays Mario Kart Wii, if you don't your a member of Al-Qaeda.

by bravesforever16 on Aug 22, 2010 3:35 AM EDT reply actions

What I like about this guy the most is that he can steal bases and score runs. You want your leadoff man to score runs and Matt Young does that. He scored two last night batting 1st. Maybe the Braves would consider using Young in a platoon in left or center leading off against righties next year. I think that the Braves have been lacking a base stealing threat for a while and Matt Young could provide that. I also think they should add him to the 40 man roster so they can use him as a pinch runner with Atlanta in September.

by JimH on Aug 22, 2010 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions

iv been on him for awhile

itd be nice if we could start him out low in the order like blanco did, and if he duplicates his AAA productivity, itd be ultra sweet if we could actually have somebody get on base, get to second, and then score instead of get to first then dp or get to third. we need an average hitter. i want minor, freeman, and young on the big league roster next year. melky, lowe, kk, and nate are monster trade bait. we MIGHT could even get a third everyday outfielder that hits .270-.280 with double digit homers and fair defense, and we would be sooo stacked. maybe better than this year’s team in two years, just need to keep a few vets to stay out of the ray’s young playoff curse. oh, and sign these big prospects for good deals, that way we dont end up with a bunch of “lets win it all because our best young guy’s contract runs out” kids like crawford

i’ve seen two rodeos and three goat ropings, and i’ve never seen anything like that. -Joe Simpson

by Cody Arrington on Aug 22, 2010 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Blanco turned out to be a solid back up, I think Young could be the same. As for signing the young guys. The Rays did sign CC to an extension years ago but everyone is going to be a FA eventually. I just hope when our young guys get close we have areal owner & hopefully can afford to keep them.

by FitzFan on Aug 22, 2010 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

He is NOT to old

This to old thing is a pile of crap. some guys just peak later. Remember Jamie Moyer – how long way he in the minor leagues ? how many years has he pitched in the Major leagues? Ballclubs measure or keep tons of stats on their players. the one they cannot measure is the size of a players heart. Its a difference maker. the major leagues are full of players who were not “prospects”. remember Ryne Sandberg. He and Moyer were not even considered to be major league material when they were in the minors. AND that is just two players I can think of right now.

by llabyug on Aug 22, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

jamie Moyer started pitching in the bigs at 23, thats hardly considered old.Ryne Sandburg got a cup of coffee and 21 and was a full time starter at 22, and was highly regarded (although he was a 20th round pick, so there is some merit to the statement)

Matt Young is 27…that is considered older and is why partially why he has succeeded in AAA, he is advanced and has more experience.

I love Matt Young, but he is older

Dwight Schrute

by Swo12bv on Aug 22, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

And I just don't see where we'd need him...

unless they were looking to see if he could be the spark in CF. Otherwise, he wouldn’t start over Melky, Diaz, Ankiel, McLouth, or Hinske. You’d have McLouth, Hernandez, Hicks, among others for pinch running. So I just don’t see the huge need to have him on the 40 man. Granted, he certainly looks capable of being better than McLouth or Ankiel, but I doubt the club thinks so down the stretch. So I just don’t see us adding someone other than from those already on the 40 man, and mostly guys who’ve already been up this year.

by Mr. Sanchez on Aug 22, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

can’t a guy have dreams though

Dwight Schrute

by Swo12bv on Aug 22, 2010 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Just because a few guys here and there buck the “too old” argument doesn’t mean it’s not a valid argument.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 22, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Young is 28 years old and is in the prime of his 'peak' seasons. It is telling that in his peak ability he could be a marginally useful major league player.

by yondaime4 on Aug 22, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally I’m all for bringing him up, I think he could be useful in a lot of ways. But, I wouldn’t bet on it.

I wrote a novel, it's about baseball, you should buy it:
http://www.amazon.com/Four-C-B-Wilkins/dp/1449578454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257720610&sr=1-1
www.dropoutproductions.com

by cbwilk on Aug 22, 2010 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh he defintiely deserves a shot. But he’s never going to be more than a role player.

by yondaime4 on Aug 22, 2010 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I am really starting to warm up to the Matt Young idea. How is his D in CF?

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 Aug 22, 2010 7:18 AM EDT reply actions

It's actually pretty good in all 3 OF spots

And his D at 2nd isn’t too shabby either.

by Jay212033 on Aug 22, 2010 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Free Matt Young...

All he does is produce. Don’t resign Melky & at least give this kid a shot at the 4th OF spot.

by Rick Z on Aug 22, 2010 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

there ya go.

i’ve seen two rodeos and three goat ropings, and i’ve never seen anything like that. -Joe Simpson

by Cody Arrington on Aug 22, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Resign Melky, don’t bring back Nate or Ankiel.

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 Aug 22, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Ankiel is definitely gone next year. I’m hoping Nate will have things figured out and will start next year. I still don’t like the idea of Melky being in CF, although he has been producing. So, don’t resign Melky, buyout Ankiel, and bring up Young

by Braves24 on Aug 22, 2010 11:14 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Are you saying that you want Melky to be our starting CFer next season?

by Lennox on Aug 22, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

If my other choices are Ankiel or Nate, then yes.

I like Matt Young, but I am not sure if he should be our starting CF over Melky right now.

Of the four possibilities, I am more comfortable with Melky out there.

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 Aug 22, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions

Option D

Sign/trade for someone better than any of the above.

Melky is going to be making $4 MM or more next season, so signing him pretty much shuts the door on bringing in anyone else for CF.

I’d rather spend that money toward bringing in a better player.

by Lennox on Aug 22, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m with you on this. Don’t want Milky as the starter next year.

by FitzFan on Aug 22, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Ideally, we get Carl Crawford. I agree with you. But, if the plan is limited to the current options, Melky is the clear choice.

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 Aug 23, 2010 4:42 AM EDT up reply actions

If only it was as simple with Nate as it was with Ankiel

how do you propose “don’t bring back Nate”?

by Mr. Sanchez on Aug 22, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Trade him to the Royals. Duh.

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 Aug 23, 2010 4:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Who would take Nate w/o Wren paying most of his salary? We can only hope he has a strong September & playoffs.

by FitzFan on Aug 22, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Cody Johnson will never figure it out.

/did I jinx him yet?

by Sparhawk on Aug 22, 2010 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

He is horrible…he is a bum…he can’t harness his power…. his defense is bad

maybe that will help?

Dwight Schrute

by Swo12bv on Aug 22, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Question-Do you guys still do the view from your seat thing?

AtQ's Resident Baseball Purist.

by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Aug 22, 2010 12:06 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, just send an email to Gondeee at martingandy@gmail.com.

"Check out this bitchin' homemade tesla coil!"

by bwellnjonesco on Aug 22, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Man Matt Young would be nice if he could play like that at the ML level. I have a feeling we will trade/release him with the excuse of no place to play him and he will be a monster for some other team. Probably Kansas City.

by drumzalicious on Aug 22, 2010 12:14 PM EDT reply actions