Re: 2012 Atlanta Braves thread
Steroids? Hahaha.
Steroids? Hahaha.
-
-
Re: 2012 Atlanta Braves thread
With Medlen moving to the rotation, I guess it means they don't like what they are seeing out of JJ or they are going to replace 2 starters if JJ comes back. The bullpen is in bad shape right now though. Everyone before the 9th inning is struggling.Comment
-
Re: 2012 Atlanta Braves thread
Not the best idea to send Medlen down. He was our 6th/7th inning guy. I guess they feel comfortable with Hernandez in that role for now. But the whole pen is struggling with the exception of maybe Kimbrel so I don't think the timing is right. Even Venters is not himself lately as he has been leaving his sinker up which has lead to him surrendering more HRs so far this season than he has the past 2 seasons combined.Comment
-
Re: 2012 Atlanta Braves thread
Venters has to come into the game and get 1 out in the 6th now.Comment
-
Re: 2012 Atlanta Braves thread
Pastornicky sent down, Simmons called upComment
-
Re: 2012 Atlanta Braves thread
He doesn't have the arm, range, or instincts. He can fill in, but he's not an everyday SS. Not sure what moving him the second accomplishes. There's kinda already a guy there. I'd rather him learn a little third, but especially the outfield. The only way he's ever going to break in as an everyday player (and it's not likely at all) is in the OF.Comment
-
No, no, no. If he doesn't have the arm at short, what's gonna make his arm magically stronger at third? That's a longer throw. Same goes for the outfield. Develop him over at second in the minors. In the next couple years he can platoon up the middle when they need rest days. But I don't think he's gonna be an everyday MLB player for years to comeComment
-
Re: 2012 Atlanta Braves thread
It's not. He's going to be a backup. His arm is good enough to fill in at 3B. Imo, arm strength isn't any more important at 3B than it is at SS. It may actually be more important at SS. How many times a game does a third baseman have to really use their arm? If they're playing back on a ball hit far to their right, and maybe charging on a bunt. How about a SS? On any play to their right (since they're deeper), on double plays to the right side, on slow rollers where they're charging, and on relay throws from the outfield. SS is a critical defensive position, and arm strength is a huge part of that. Third base is probably the least important position on the diamond, so if a guy sucks defensively there, he can still backup the position as a utility player.
I'm not saying don't develop him at second, I'm saying don't limit him to that. He's played 2b in minors (granted, only a very small amount). I'm saying teach him 3B and outfield, so that down the road he can play 6 positions (SS, 2B, 3B, RF, CF, LF) off the bench. That's much more valuable than a guy who plays just the middle infield. He's probably never going to be a starter in the majors, so turn him into a great bench player, which I think he can be.Comment
-
Re: 2012 Atlanta Braves thread
What are Simmons' strengths and weaknesses?Comment
-
Re: 2012 Atlanta Braves thread
Strengths: He's a very good defender with a lot of range, and an exceptional arm. He's regarded as a plus-plus defender. He's very, very fast, and he's a decent contact hitter. He won the Carolina League batting title last year (.311), and was doing very well in AA this year (.292 avg, .372 obp). And he's 22 years old.
Weaknesses: He doesn't hit for a lot of power, though that has improved this season (3 hr in 200 pa this year, as opposed to 3 hr in the first 839 pa of his professional career). While he has great speed, he has not been a great basestealer, though that too has seemingly gotten better this season. And while he has all kinds on talent, he will occasionally make errors (4 this year, after 28 last year). A big reason he makes errors, though, is because he can boot balls no one else can get to.
All in all, from all accounts, the guy is Rafael Furcal when he was a young player. Same strengths, same weaknesses, similar potential. He may not be quite as fast as Furcal was, but it's pretty close.Comment
-
Re: 2012 Atlanta Braves thread
Some scouts think he will be the best defensive SS in the NL when he makes his first start.
Can he hit? Pastornicky wasn't hitting though, so as long as he can do what he was doing, the defense will be a lot better.Comment
Comment