BRAVES NEWS
Walks Strike Again, Doom Braves to 10-4 loss
The Braves only got 4.2 innings from starter Mike Foltynewicz on Monday, which gave the Atlanta bullpen a lot of ground to cover. Foltynewicz exited having allowed two runs while walking four batters, striking out seven. With the score tied at two, Sam Freeman entered and promptly ended the fifth, but failed to retire any of the three batters he faced in the sixth, all of whom scored to break open the game. The results only worsened from that point, and the Braves were blown out by a team with three wins entering the contest. On to the next one.
Jose Bautista will be Braves’ regular third baseman if/when he arrives, per report
The Braves indicated on Monday that when veteran Jose Bautista arrive to the major league club, his role will be as the starting third baseman. This is significant given the success of Ryan Flaherty, the return of Johan Camargo, and the seemingly inescapable downslide that has occurred over the past three seasons of Bautista’s career. However, he does add right-handed power to a lineup currently lacking power from both sides of the plate.
Jose Bautista will become #Braves starting third baseman when he's promoted. Ryan Flaherty will be utilityman. Bautista is in Triple-A to see better pitching. Team doesn't anticipate he'll need much time there.
— Gabe Burns (@GabeBurnsAJC) April 23, 2018
2018 MLB Draft: Nick Madrigal Makes Return In This Week’s College Draft Prospect Tracker
If you have followed along this season, you know that our prospect team has been very busy providing updates on the status of the 2018 MLB Draft. With stocks rising and falling daily, check out this week’s college prospect update, which includes the return of Oregon State infielder Nick Madrigal from injury.
Deeper Braves lineup? Snitker dreaming of it
Planning ahead is generally a good idea for a manager, and for Brian Snitker it is especially important given the impending roster turnover that is expected to occur in the coming weeks. With Tyler Flowers returning from injury, Jose Bautista making his way through a minor league cram course, and Ronald Acuna waiting for... well I have no idea really, the club is in store for major changes. When those changes are in effect, Snitker will be prepared.
Asked about the enhanced depth he may soon have at his disposal, Braves manager Brian Snitker admitted he spent some time Monday afternoon mapping out how his lineup and bench might look once Jose Bautista, Tyler Flowers and Ronald Acuna Jr. are added to Atlanta’s roster.
”I’ve been toying with it, because it’s things you have to prepare for, the inevitability of getting new players,” Snitker said. “You’ve got to make moves. A lot of times, things take care of themselves. But if you don’t have a plan, then you’ll get bit. So you have to prepare, just in case.”
MLB NEWS
Big night for Big G (HR, 4-for-4) in win
This monster is no longer in the NL East, and that is just fine. Giancarlo Stanton destroyed a home run to left field at Yankee Stadium on Monday night, adding three more hits as well, to surge New York to victory.