Making the Team Meter 5

MTM number fve this week. This will be an edition sprinkled with information I've gleaned from my time down here in Florida. There are a few players who we need to take off the MTM as they have been optioned to the minors. Off the list and not making the club out of spring training are: Gregor Blanco, Brent Lillibridge, Carlos Mendez, Anthony Lerew, Jose Ascanio, Joey Devine, Kevin Barry, and Matt Harrison. Expect another round of cuts soon as the minor league games have started and the regulars are playing deeper into games. If I had to guess I'd say the next round will include Escobar, Acosta, Johnson, and Moylan.

Player, Position	Chance	Notes
Kelly Johnson, 2B		A homerun on Sunday shows his power might be coming around, and only one error at second base shows he's holding down the new position. He's still in a fight with Prado.
T.J. Bohn, OF		I don't see how his 6-for-29 performance could be making an impact.
Pete Orr, INF	--	He's swinging the bat well and probably deserves serious consideration, but are the spots already taken?
Brayan Pena, C		His only serious competition is Corky Miller, and they are both struggling at the plate.
Tony Pena, SS		He is out of options, so if he doesn't make our team look for him to be included in a trade of some sort.
Martin Prado, INF		He is still hitting a ton and playing solid defense at both second and third. He's sort of a lesser hitting version of Willy Aybar, but he may yet beat out Kelly Johnson with his good spring and experience at second.
Yunel Escobar, SS		He's proven he can hit and field. He's blocked by several people in the majors, and is more likely to be held back as a trade piece.
Corky Miller, C		He's not hitting a lot right now, but he's played good defense and the Braves like to carry a veteran catcher as the backup. Cox and company like him, so he's got a serious shot at making the team over Pena.
Doug Clark, OF		When he's in games he's hitting. Problem is that he hasn't gotten into a lot of games.
Willie Harris, OF	--	Leading the Grapefruit League in steals, but will his speed alone help him make the team? He can play second as well as the outfield, so that versitility might give him and edge.
Kyle Davies, RHP		Right now if I had to guess, I'd say that Davies does not make the club as the fifth starter. He's been out-pitched by Lance Cormier and even Buddy Carlyle, not to mention that Mark Redman is likely guaranteed a spot in the rotation. I think there's also a reason they pitched Davies in the intra-squad game on Friday. They want him to regain his confidence while not exposing him to major league hitters.
Lance Cormier, RHP		If he doen't make the club as a starter, then at this point, that's a huge surprise.
Manny Acosta, RHP		He'll be in the next round of cuts with his late inning explosions of late.
Blaine Boyer, RHP	--	He's pitching like he deserves a spot in the pen, but is there one available?
Jonathan Johnson, RHP		Proving he's still not a big leaguer.
Macay McBride, RHP		After some very shaky early spring outings, he has settled down and been dominant. He should make the club as the LOOGY.
Peter Moylan, RHP		He's pitched okay, but hasn't been spectacular. He'll be a part of the Richmond pen.
Chad Paronto, RHP		With one of the best springs of any Brave reliever, fans and players alike are expecting big things from the big guy this year. He's in the pen.
Phil Stockman, RHP		The injury and then the visa snafu means he'll need more time to get ready. They won't rush him back and he'll start the year at Richmond.
Tyler Yates, RHP		He hasn't blown anyone's socks off this spring, but he's probably done enough to make the club. Still, though, he could be on the bubble.
Buddy Carlyle, RHP	--	He is one of the lesser known stories this spring. Every time he's gone out there he's pitched well. Based on his spring stats and performance he deserves to make the team, but is there a spot for him?
Steve Colyer, RHP		He's pitched decentish, but I don't think he's pitched good enough to make the club.

Key:
-- = Chance of making the team is even.
= Chance of making the team is going down.
= Chance of making the team is going up.