2009 Atlanta Braves

[Speedy]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

...So does the Citi Field scoreboard show OBP?

That's mean...but still funny.

[crques]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Doesn't make much sense for either team. That's all the Braves need is another left handed hitter.

I think this is only a part of a bigger deal. From what I've read tonight, the Braves might have a deal in the works involving Johnson, Medlen, and Church for a power bat. Don't know who it is though.....it's only speculation right now. I have no idea what "power" bat they're referring to.

[Kohlstar20]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I think this is only a part of a bigger deal. From what I've read tonight, the Braves might have a deal in the works involving Johnson, Medlen, and Church for a power bat. Don't know who it is though.....it's only speculation right now. I have no idea what "power" bat they're referring to.

Hopefully not a left-handed one.

[CWood2]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I think this is only a part of a bigger deal. From what I've read tonight, the Braves might have a deal in the works involving Johnson, Medlen, and Church for a power bat. Don't know who it is though.....it's only speculation right now. I have no idea what "power" bat they're referring to.

Where's the speculation coming from? Hadn't heard that ... interested now.

[Garydee]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I think this is only a part of a bigger deal. From what I've read tonight, the Braves might have a deal in the works involving Johnson, Medlen, and Church for a power bat. Don't know who it is though.....it's only speculation right now. I have no idea what "power" bat they're referring to.

I hope that rumor is right. However, what team would give up a power bat for two below average players and an untested rookie? I guess they would be betting on Medlen's development.

[Kohlstar20]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I just came accross this video with Harold Reynolds taking about the Ryan Church acquisition. WTF...He seriously thinks the Braves needed another LH bat. Guess he hasn't been following the Braves this season otherwise he would know we already a plethora of left handed bats.

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=atl&c_id=atl

[Speedy]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Well look at this way: Frenchy has been horrible and Church is a very good quality player...at least from a player vs. player perspective I doubt we could've done any better.

Also - can we actually put Acosta into meaningful games now instead of Gonzo/Moylan?

[jt45]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I am starting to like the Church acquisition. He is going to platoon in RF with Diaz (who is hitting quite well as of late). Anderson will be the man in LF (he's also been playing extremely well). GA is different than most lefties as he hits really well against left-handers (.316 vs. LHP/.263 vs. RHP).

Church hits right-handers to the tune of a .310 average, while Diaz is hitting a sweet .365 against lefties

[JEM]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Are the Braves ever going to give Brandon Jones a real chance?

[Garydee]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Also - can we actually put Acosta into meaningful games now instead of Gonzo/Moylan?

Yeah, I agree. I think the problem with Gonzo/Moylan is that they are worn out due to being overpitched. Acosta has proven to me that he handle being put under pressure.

[jt45]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

<!-- / icon and title --> <!-- message -->Are the Braves ever going to give Brandon Jones a real chance?

Probably not. All the guy does is hit at Gwinnett. He deserves a shot to be an every day major leaguer.

Something else I thought about in regards to the Church acquisition....

Does this potentially open up an outfield spot next spring for either Schafer or Jason Heyward? The fans would have raised hell if Frenchy was benched for a rookie next spring, but would it be as big of a deal if Schafer/Heyward wins the RF job and Church is traded? Probably not.

Schafer was hitting pretty well at Gwinnett before re-aggravating the bone bruise on his wrist that caused him to go in the tank after four games in ATL. He had eight hits in his last 24 AB's with six runs scored and two home runs. Perhaps the most telling was just four strike outs during that stretch. He has just 10 k's at AAA this year. While he may be out for the rest of the season, he could very well become the player next February that he was in camp this past year.

Heyward is another guy that may make a strong case for a big league spot. After hitting just below .300 with 10 HR and 31 RBI in 49 games at Myrtle Beach (which correct me if I'm wrong is a pitcher park in a pitchers league), he got promoted along with Freddie Freeman to Mississippi. All he has done in eight games since the promotion late last month is hit .348 (9-for-26) with seven RBI, two triples, three doubles and not to mention ZERO strike outs. If he comes out and has a strong spring, Wren/Schuerholtz/Cox are going to have a hard time telling him to head to Gwinnett.

I think the Braves' brain trust is every bit as smart as they have always been and maybe not this month or even not by September we might not understand what they were really trying to do, but come April 2010 we will have a very good idea what they had up their proverbial sleeves.

edit: Nice AJC article from yesterday about Heyward.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/07/10/jason_heyward_braves.html

[Heisman316]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Probably not. All the guy does is hit at Gwinnett. He deserves a shot to be an every day major leaguer.

Something else I thought about in regards to the Church acquisition....

Does this potentially open up an outfield spot next spring for either Schafer or Jason Heyward? The fans would have raised hell if Frenchy was benched for a rookie next spring, but would it be as big of a deal if Schafer/Heyward wins the RF job and Church is traded? Probably not.

Schafer was hitting pretty well at Gwinnett before re-aggravating the bone bruise on his wrist that caused him to go in the tank after four games in ATL. He had eight hits in his last 24 AB's with six runs scored and two home runs. Perhaps the most telling was just four strike outs during that stretch. He has just 10 k's at AAA this year. While he may be out for the rest of the season, he could very well become the player next February that he was in camp this past year.

Heyward is another guy that may make a strong case for a big league spot. After hitting just below .300 with 10 HR and 31 RBI in 49 games at Myrtle Beach (which correct me if I'm wrong is a pitcher park in a pitchers league), he got promoted along with Freddie Freeman to Mississippi. All he has done in eight games since the promotion late last month is hit .348 (9-for-26) with seven RBI, two triples, three doubles and not to mention ZERO strike outs. If he comes out and has a strong spring, Wren/Schuerholtz/Cox are going to have a hard time telling him to head to Gwinnett.

I think the Braves' brain trust is every bit as smart as they have always been and maybe not this month or even not by September we might not understand what they were really trying to do, but come April 2010 we will have a very good idea what they had up their proverbial sleeves.

edit: Nice AJC article from yesterday about Heyward.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/spor...rd_braves.html

Very good post. I agree 110%.

[JEM]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I think Chipper should try using a lighter bat.. He aint a spring chicken anymore so anything he can do to speed up his swing a little would help a ton. Never thought I would see him get under 20 HRs and and under 80 RBI in the same season but it looks that way this year ( wonder if he will hit .300... ).

[Kohlstar20]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

I think Chipper should try using a lighter bat.. He aint a spring chicken anymore so anything he can do to speed up his swing a little would help a ton. Never thought I would see him get under 20 HRs and and under 80 RBI in the same season but it looks that way this year ( wonder if he will hit .300... ).

If he stays healthy and is in the lineup on a regular basis I think he will always hit .300 but yeah your right about his power. I think he is a 15-20 HR per season guy from here on out. I could see him recording 100 RBIs again at some point but only if 1) He stays healthy and 2) Guys in front of him get on base more which hasn't been the case this season or last. If this team only had a true leadoff hitter that alone would increase Chipper's RBI totals.

[jt45]

Re: 2009 Atlanta Braves

Where has this offense come from? Especially from the 6-9 spots in the lineup. I'm not complaining in the least bit. Its great to see the back in of the order pick up some slack.

edit: Brooks Conrad with a 2-run shot. He only needs a double for the cycle.