It's March 11th and I'm more than ready for the start of the season.  After a long and very unusually white winter around these parts...I'm anxious to smell cut grass and enjoy some BRAVES BASEBALL again. 

I haven't been able to keep up with the news of the Braves as much as I had wished during the off-season, but I vow to spend the next couple of weeks until the first pitch reading Talking Chop and catching up.  

I ordered my "Skip Shirt" (see above) the other day and waiting for it to arrive. I'd recommend visiting the site if you were a Skip Caray fan. Other than the shirt, there are some great photos to enjoy.  Anyone know the story behind the Ali one? Is that Skip?  I tried finding something online about it and nada.

Anyways, I just wanted to pop in and say Hello again and hopefully find the welcome mat still out to enjoy the games with you like last season.

Hey Everyone,

I am trying to come up with a good team name for fantasy baseball this year.  I usually seem to figure something out given news stories or other baseball drama (for instance last year I was My Cousin Yuri) but there really hasn't been a whole lot this offseason.  Also, if possible I'd like to link it to my Braves since everyone I play with apparently has bad taste in teams.  If anyone has any ideas please reply with them.  I figured this may help fellow fantasy players pick their names as well. Thanks

Introduction

This is part 3 in my review of FanGraphs' Fan Projections for NL East players.  In part 2, I reviewed the infielders.  In part 1, I reviewed the starting pitchers.  The Philies' infield projected to be the best, by about 4 wins, over the Mets' and Braves' infields.  The Braves' starting rotation projected to be about 2 games better than the Phillies'.  In this post, I will review the fan projections for NL East catchers. Obviously, that's a smaller group of players, so this should be a shorter post than the first 2. 

If you're reading this, you no doubt already know which NL East team is projected to get the most value from its catchers.  What you may not know is who is projected to have the 2nd-best catchers, or how far behind the top team the 2nd-best team is.  So, without further ado, let's get into it.

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John Sickels over at minorleagueball.com is starting a league this year for the first time. I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the 24 owners out of over 60 entries. He'll be posting weekly updates through out the season so check them out.

I guarantee Heyward will be MINE.

Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!Go Braves!!

About a month ago, I argued that Johnny Damon would put more "average fans" in the stands than any prospect.  After the first few weeks of watching Heyward, I couldn't be more wrong.  Sorry to all who had to put up with my stubbornness.

This kid has star power far beyond what I thought would be possible out of a prospect.  I've heard the argument concerning keeping J-Hey in the minors for 2 weeks, but I'm not quite sure that it's worth it.  The fanbase might go nuts. 

I know we talk all about the projected line up and whether J-Hey should hit second or seventh, etc.

But what if we just realize that we are dealing with a FREAK and admit that he is just "that good" so that he can start off in the #4 hole.  After all, is there ANY DOUBT that the kid is going to be a cleanup hitter for a ong, long time?

NOW how strong does our lineup look?

1. McLouth (L)

2. Prado (R)

3. Chipper (R/L)

4. J-Hey (L)

5. Glaus (R)

6. McCann (L)

7. Escobar (R)

8. Diaz/Melke (R/L)

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Freddie Freeman fouls one off.

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Matt Diaz fouls one back.

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Eric Hinske shoots one up the middle.

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Troy Glaus gets his 2nd hit of the day.

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Melky Cabrera slices one foul.

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Gregor Blanco warms up before batting practice.

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Brandon Hicks waits his turn.

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Joe Thurston, Matt Diaz and Jason Heyward chat before batting practice.

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Jason Heyward giving Matt Diaz a fist bump. (Matt didn't leave him hanging)

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Legend and his possible predecessor?

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David Ross and Frank Wren talk before batting practice.

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Omar Infante warms up before the game.

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Three massive guys stretch out. Glaus, Freeman and Heyward.

I know it's spring training but there has to be video somewhere right? I'm more of a quiet observer on Talking Chop for awhile but with the Heyward Legend continuing to grow I thought I'd jump in. Honestly, I expect him to basically set the world on fire for the first month of the season, then major league pitching to somewhat consistently get him out to the tune of some mid season ups and downs but still a ROY campaign. I think the o/u on his BA and homers should be about .278 and 17.5 and I expect him to be over the former but not necessarily the latter. Anyway, just thought I'd jump in with some thoughts on the next Braves stud and if anyone has come across the video, I'd love to see it.

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Our ole' friend Javy Lopez was in the house.

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Troy Glaus waiting his turn during batting practice.

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David Ross waiting for his turn in the cage.

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Eric Hinske warming up before batting practice.

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Jason Heyward.

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Jason Heyward

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Cody Johnson stretching before batting practice.

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Jason Heyward.

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Jason Heyward's bomb swing.

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Troy Glaus, Melky Cabrera and Jason Heyward.

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Troy Glaus rips one up the middle.

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Cody Johnson.

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Freddie Freeman.

Just some pics from the game this afternoon.

Jason Heyward circling the bases in BP.

Heyward taking BP. He put up a BOMB.

Freddie taking some grounders.

Right before smacking a dinger.

Huddy looked pretty good today, even while giving up a run.

Infante

Jo-Jo who looked GREAT.

Cordier

Lee Hyde or Mike Dunn. I honestly can't remember

Brandon Hicks

I have many more, so if anyone wants to see, shoot me an e-mail: Eaheckman10@yahoo.com.