ChopHouse Chronicles : An Atlanta Braves Dynasty

[JWDixon120]

Quote: Originally Posted by johnstone1987

If I may ask out of curiosity, what site or program did you use for that podcast thing?

Google Notebooks LM I believe is what it’s called.

It’s pretty cool. Obviously could use some tweaking from them but it is a beta so can’t complain!


-Franchise Fidelity to Reality Roster out Now! (MLB 24)
-Creator of JWDixon’s Franchise Spreadsheet
-More coming soon!

[JWDixon120]

Braves Fall to Marlins in 5-3 Nail-Biter

April 13, 2024

MIAMI — The Atlanta Braves (13-2) suffered just their second loss of the season on Saturday, falling 5-3 to the Miami Marlins (9-6) at LoanDepot Park. A pitching duel through five innings gave way to a dramatic back-and-forth contest in the late frames, with Miami coming out on top.

Bryce Elder kept the Braves in the game early, tossing 5.1 strong innings and allowing just one earned run. Elder’s performance was aided by challenging hitting conditions caused by shadows on the field, keeping the Marlins at bay. However, Atlanta’s offense was similarly stifled, as they were no-hit until the sixth inning.

With two outs in the sixth, Orlando Arcia broke the drought with a sharp single down the left-field line. Ronald Acuña Jr. followed with his seventh home run of the season, a towering shot to dead center field that gave Atlanta a 2-0 lead and briefly swung the momentum.

The Marlins responded quickly. Jake Burger delivered a two-run double off Tyler Matzek in the seventh, putting Miami ahead 3-2. Orlando Arcia continued his solid game with an RBI double in the eighth, tying the game at 3-3, but Miami’s Josh Bell delivered the decisive blow in the bottom of the inning. Bell, who finished the day a perfect 4-for-4, launched a two-run homer off A.J. Minter to left-center, giving the Marlins a 5-3 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

The Braves struggled mightily at the plate, striking out 16 times while managing just five hits. Conversely, the Marlins struck out only three times, capitalizing on key opportunities to pull out the victory.

Notable Performances:

• Josh Bell (MIA): 4-for-4, 3 RBIs, 2-run HR in 8th


• Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL): 1-for-3, HR (7), 2 RBIs


• Orlando Arcia (ATL): 2-for-3, RBI double

The Braves will aim to bounce back in Sunday’s rubber match at 1:40 p.m. ET. Spencer Strider (0-0, 1.47 ERA) takes the mound for Atlanta against Miami’s Jesús Luzardo (1-1, 4.61 ERA).

Atlanta will look to avoid its first series loss of the season, while Miami eyes a chance to build on Saturday’s momentum.

[JWDixon120]

Scouting Report: Charles Hinojo

Outfielder | LSU | Age: 21

Standing at 6'3" and weighing 191 lbs, Charles Hinojo has transformed himself into one of the most promising outfield prospects in recent memory. The junior out of LSU was overlooked coming out of high school due to his wiry frame and lack of size projection, holding only D3 and JUCO offers. However, a growth spurt at age 18, followed by significant weight gain and skill development during his time at LSU-Eunice, set the stage for his rise as a generational talent. Hinojo joined LSU as a sophomore, where his offensive and defensive performances have cemented his status as a potential #1 overall pick in the upcoming MLB draft.

Scouting Grades (20-80 Scale)

Contact: 70

Power: 55

Bat Control: 50

Eye: 70

Fielding: 65

Arm: 70

Speed: 65

Player Overview

Hinojo’s offensive prowess is undeniable. As a sophomore, he posted an on-base percentage just shy of .500, and his junior season has seen that number rise to an eye-popping .522. His ability to combine high batting averages with exceptional plate discipline has scouts buzzing about his potential as a middle-of-the-lineup cornerstone. Despite his focus on contact and walks, Hinojo has enough raw power to project as a 30-home-run hitter at the MLB level.

Defensively, Hinojo is just as impressive. His versatility has been on full display in the Tigers' outfield, where he has excelled at every position. With throws clocked at over 98 mph from left field, his arm strength is a standout tool. He complements his cannon of an arm with above-average speed and smooth fielding mechanics, making him an asset both at the plate and in the field.

Adding to his allure, Hinojo is a switch hitter, a skill he developed in high school when bunting from the left side to utilize his speed. That unique trait now gives him an extra edge, allowing him to face pitchers from both sides without a drop-off in effectiveness.

Player Comparison

Scouts have compared Hinojo to "a version of Juan Soto that can field and switch hit," an extraordinary benchmark for any young player. His advanced approach at the plate, combined with his defensive capabilities, gives him the potential to exceed even the loftiest of expectations. Many project Hinojo to debut as early as 2025 if he adapts well to the minor leagues after the draft.

With a hype train that compares to Ronald Acuña Jr., Paul Skenes, and Juan Soto, Charles Hinojo has no shortage of status to live up to. Scouts believe he could be the most exciting MLB prospect of the past decade.

[JWDixon120]

Braves Edge Marlins in 8-6 Victory

April 14, 2024

MIAMI — The Atlanta Braves (14-2) bounced back on Sunday afternoon to secure a series victory over the Miami Marlins (9-7) with an 8-6 win in a hard-fought rubber match at LoanDepot Park.

Atlanta wasted no time getting on the board, as Matt Olson delivered a two-RBI single in the first inning to give the Braves a 2-0 lead. However, the advantage was short-lived. Braves starter Spencer Strider struggled with command, allowing four earned runs over five innings while striking out five and walking three.

The Braves clawed back in the third inning, highlighted by Ronald Acuña Jr.'s solo home run to center field—his second homer in as many days—and a much-needed two-run blast by Travis d’Arnaud, who has had a sluggish start to the season. d’Arnaud’s homer reinvigorated the Atlanta offense.

Atlanta’s bullpen was lockdown through the middle innings, providing the offense with the opportunity to extend its lead. Kyle Lewis contributed a pivotal moment in the ninth inning, smashing a two-run shot to left-center field for his first home run as a Brave. Remarkably, it was Lewis' first MLB homer in 380 days, with his last coming on March 31, 2023. Acuña Jr. added another solo home run in the ninth, marking his third in his previous 2 games.

Despite holding a four-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth, the Braves faced some drama. Pierce Johnson loaded the bases, forcing manager Brian Snitker to call upon Raisel Iglesias. While Iglesias allowed two unearned runs, he managed to close the door and notch his seventh save of the season.

Next, the Braves hit the road to Houston for a three-game series in a rematch of the 2021 World Series. Atlanta is slated to start Max Fried (3-0, 1.80 ERA) against Houston’s Christian Javier (1-2, 5.79 ERA) on Monday night.