Atlanta Braves http://www.braveslocker.com Daily Blog for Atlanta Braves Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:13:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.5 en The Atlanta Braves will likely have a timeshare in RF in 2010 http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/the-atlanta-braves-will-likely-have-a-timeshare-in-rf-in-2010/ http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/the-atlanta-braves-will-likely-have-a-timeshare-in-rf-in-2010/#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:13:01 +0000 chinmusic http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/the-atlanta-braves-will-likely-have-a-timeshare-in-rf-in-2010/ The Braves will likely go into the 2010 with 31-year old righty swinging Matt Diaz sharing RF with 31-year old lefty swinging Eric Hinske. That could change if the Braves think that top prospect Jason Heyward is ready for the show. Diaz is a solid professional baseball played. He played in 125 games for the Braves last season and he was 116 of 371 (.313 avg, .878 OPS) with 56 runs scored, 13 homers, 58 RBIs and 12 stolen bases. Diaz made 2 errors in 66 games in RF last season while showing poor range. But he did have two assists so he has the arm to handle RF.

Eric Hinske played in 93 games for the Yankees & Pirates last season and he was 46 of 190 (.242 avg, .780 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 8 homers and 25 RBIs. Hinske is a good power hitter but it would be a reach to expect him to hit over .260 in 2010. Hinske didn’t make any errors in 35 games in RF last season while showing average range. He has a good arm for RF as he had 3 assists there in 2009.

The future in RF for the Braves is 20-year old lefty swinging Jason Heyward. Heyward played in 99 games in A+AA+AAA ball last season and he was 117 of 362 (.323 avg, .963 OPS) with 69 runs scored, 17 homers, 63 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. He has now played three years in the minors appearing in 238 games in which he is 279 of 876 (.318 avg, .899 OPS) with 164 runs scored, 29 homers, 125 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. The Braves shouldn’t rush Heyward unless they are absolutely sure that he is ready for the show.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE RF IN 2010: C+

]]> http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/the-atlanta-braves-will-likely-have-a-timeshare-in-rf-in-2010/feed/ The Atlanta Braves appear in good shape in CF for the 2010 season http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/the-atlanta-braves-appear-in-good-shape-in-cf-for-the-2010-season/ http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/the-atlanta-braves-appear-in-good-shape-in-cf-for-the-2010-season/#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 02:03:51 +0000 chinmusic http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/the-atlanta-braves-appear-in-good-shape-in-cf-for-the-2010-season/ The Braves look really deep in center field for the 2010 season. It all starts with 28-year old lefty swinging Nate McLouth who will be the starter in 2010. McLouth played in 129 games for the Pirates & Braves in which he was 130 of 507 (.256 avg, .788 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 20 homers, 70 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. The Braves hope to get at least 20 more games out of McLouth in 2010. McLouth only made 1 error in 129 games in CF last season while showing average range. McLouth has a great throwing arm too as he had 9 assists last season. Look for McLouth to have a great year for the Braves in 2010.

25-year old switch hitting Melky Cabrera will be the starting LF for the Braves but he can handle CF if the need arises. Cabrera didn’t make any errors in 103 games in CF for the Yankees last season. He showed slightly below average range in CF last season and he had 2 assists.

23-year old lefty swinging Jordan Schafer got his first taste of the majors last season and it wasn’t pretty. He played in 50 games for the Braves last season and he was 34 of 167 (.204 avg, .600 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 2 homers, 8 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Shafer was overmatched most of the time as he whiffed 63 times for the Braves last season. Schafer played well defensively for the Braves last season as he didn’t make any errors in 50 games in CF. Schafer showed above average range and a strong throwing arm as he had 4 assists. Schafer needs to get his bat back into gear or he will soon lose his prospect status.

26-year old lefty swinging Gregor Blanco also had a year to forget for the Braves in 2009. Blanco played in 24 games for the Braves last season and he was 8 of 43 (.186 avg, .488 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 RBI and 2 stolen bases. Blanco has now played in 168 games in his career with the Braves and he has a .245 career batting average with a .659 OPS so he is a better hitter than he showed last year. Blanco didn’t make any errors in 9 games for the Braves in CF last season while showing slightly below average range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CF IN 2010: B+

]]> http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/the-atlanta-braves-appear-in-good-shape-in-cf-for-the-2010-season/feed/ Melky Cabrera will be the likely starting LF for the Atlanta Braves in 2010 http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/melky-cabrera-will-be-the-likely-starting-lf-for-the-atlanta-braves-in-2010/ http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/melky-cabrera-will-be-the-likely-starting-lf-for-the-atlanta-braves-in-2010/#comments Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:48:05 +0000 chinmusic http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/melky-cabrera-will-be-the-likely-starting-lf-for-the-atlanta-braves-in-2010/ 25-year old switch hitting Melky Cabrera will be the likely starting LF for the Braves in 2010. He played in 154 games for the Yankees last season and he was 133 of 485 (.274 avg, .752 OPS) with 66 runs scored, 13 homers, 68 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Cabrera really has a bat more equipped for CF as he doesn’t have enough power for a corner position. Cabrera only made 1 error in 40 games in LF for the Yankees last season while showing good range.

31-year old righty swinging Matt Diaz will likely get most of his P.T. in RF unless something happens to Cabrera. Diaz played in 50 games in LF for the Braves last season and he only made 1 error there while showing good range.

28-year old righty swinging Omar Infante can handle LF in a pinch for the Braves. He played 7 error-free games in LF for the Braves last season while showing outstanding range. He will likely get most of his P.T. in the infield in 2010.

32-year old lefty swinging Eric Hinske can also handle LF if the need arises for the Braves in 2010. He played 2 error-free games in LF last season while showing outstanding range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE LF IN 2010: C

]]> http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/27/melky-cabrera-will-be-the-likely-starting-lf-for-the-atlanta-braves-in-2010/feed/ The Atlanta Braves sign J.R. House http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/25/the-atlanta-braves-sign-jr-house/ http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/25/the-atlanta-braves-sign-jr-house/#comments Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:02:13 +0000 chinmusic http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/25/the-atlanta-braves-sign-jr-house/ The Braves have signed 30-year old righty swinging catcher J.R. House to a minor league career. House played in 127 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 127 of 505 (.251 avg, .650 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 9 homers and 53 RBIs. He last played in the majors in 2008 with the Astros. House has played in 32 games in his major league career and he is 10 of 60 (.167 avg, .573 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 3 homers and 4 RBIs. This was a signing for organizational depth and little more as House will likely start the year in AAA.

]]> http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/25/the-atlanta-braves-sign-jr-house/feed/ The Atlanta Braves look deep at 3B for 2010 http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-atlanta-braves-look-deep-at-3b-for-2010/ http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-atlanta-braves-look-deep-at-3b-for-2010/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:26:07 +0000 chinmusic http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-atlanta-braves-look-deep-at-3b-for-2010/ 37-year old switch hitting Chipper Jones is back in 2010 but he looked his age last season. Jones played in 143 games for the Braves last season and he was 129 for 488 (.264 avg, .818 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 18 homers, 71 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. The Braves are hoping that Jones will hit more like his career norms of a .307 batting average with a .947 OPS in 2010. Jones’ defense suffered as well as his bat did last season. He played in 133 games for the Braves last season and he made 22 errors while showing poor range. The Braves need him to play better if they are going to make a playoff run in 2010.

28-year old righty swinging Omar Infante will be Jones’ backup at 3B in 2010. He played in 10 error-free games for the Braves at 3B last season while showing outstanding range.

32-year old lefty swinging Eric Hinske will likely get most of his P.T. in the outfield in 2010 for the Braves but he can play 3B. He played in 13 error-free games for the Pirates and Yankees last season but he showed poor range there.

30-year old lefty swinging Joe Thurston played in 68 games at 3B for the Cardinals last season and he made 10 errors while showing good range. The Braves would be in trouble if Thurston got extended playing time at 3B in 2010 as he is not much of a hitter.

PROJECTED GRADE AT 3B IN 2010: B

]]> http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-atlanta-braves-look-deep-at-3b-for-2010/feed/ The Atlanta Braves are in good shape at shortstop for 2010 http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-atlanta-braves-are-in-good-shape-at-shortstop-for-2010/ http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-atlanta-braves-are-in-good-shape-at-shortstop-for-2010/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:17:33 +0000 chinmusic http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-atlanta-braves-are-in-good-shape-at-shortstop-for-2010/ 27-year old righty swinging Yunel Escobar is looking to build on his solid 2009 season for the Braves. Escobar played in 141 games for the Braves last season and he was 158 for 528 (.299 avg, .813 OPS) with 89 runs scored, 14 homers, 76 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Escobar is just coming into his prime years so look for him to improve on his numbers offensively in 2010 for the Braves. Escobar made 13 errors in 139 games at SS last season while showing good range. He is one of the better all-around players on the Braves.

28-year old righty swinging Omar Infante will backup Escobar in 2010. He played in 10 error-free games for the Braves last season while showing poor range. Infante is a natural shortstop so I think he would play well there defensively if forced into extended action.

25-year old righty swinging Diory Hernandez will likely start the season in AAA. He played in 33 games for the Braves last season and he was 12 for 85 (.141 avg, .410 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 1 homer and 6 RBIs. Hernandez also played in 54 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 65 for 204 (.319 avg, .821 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 1 homer, 32 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Hernandez played in 22 games for the Braves at SS last season and he made 1 error while showing below average range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SS IN 2010: B+

]]> http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/20/the-atlanta-braves-are-in-good-shape-at-shortstop-for-2010/feed/ Martin Prado finally will be the starting 2B for the Atlanta Braves http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/08/martin-prado-finally-will-be-the-starting-2b-for-the-atlanta-braves/ http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/08/martin-prado-finally-will-be-the-starting-2b-for-the-atlanta-braves/#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:40:39 +0000 chinmusic http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/08/martin-prado-finally-will-be-the-starting-2b-for-the-atlanta-braves/ 26-year old righty swinging Martin Prado will be the starting 2B for the Braves in 2010. He has been bounced around the infield the last couple of years for the Braves but this season he will focus on 2B. Prado played in 128 games for the Braves last season and he was 138 for 450 (.307 avg, .822 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 11 homers and 49 RBIs. Prado is not only a good hitter but he’s a solid defensive 2B. He made 4 errors at 2B for the Braves last season while showing above average range. It took a little time for Prado to get this starting job but he definitely has earned it.

28-year old righty swinging Omar Infante will be the Braves’ top infield backup in 2010. He played in 70 games for the Braves last season and he was 62 for 203 (.305 avg, .750 OPS) with 24 runs scored, 2 homers, 27 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Infante played in 30 games at 2B for the Braves last season making 2 errors while showing slightly below average range. He is a natural shortstop but he will be the one giving Prado a day off once in a while.

30-year old lefty swinging Joe Thurston will try to earn a bench spot this spring with the Braves. He played in 124 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 60 for 267 (.225 avg, .646 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 1 homer, 25 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Thurston played in 47 games at 2B for the Cardinals in 2009 and he made only 2 errors while showing outstanding range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2B IN 2010: B

]]> http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/08/martin-prado-finally-will-be-the-starting-2b-for-the-atlanta-braves/feed/ The Atlanta Braves have signed Chris Resop http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/01/the-atlanta-braves-have-signed-chris-resop/ http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/01/the-atlanta-braves-have-signed-chris-resop/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:39:41 +0000 chinmusic http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/01/the-atlanta-braves-have-signed-chris-resop/ The Braves have signed 27-year old righty reliever Chris Resop to a minor league deal. Resop left the Braves last season to pitch in Japan. He pitched in 16 games (0 starts) for the Braves in 2008 and he was 0-1 with a 5.89 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. He has now pitched in 57 games (0 starts) in his four years in the majors and he is 3-3 with a 5.61 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. He has walked 36 batters and given up 68 hits in only 61 innings in the majors so he will need to improve this spring to pitch for the Braves.

]]> http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/02/01/the-atlanta-braves-have-signed-chris-resop/feed/ Dale Murphy was a great player for the Atlanta Braves http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/01/29/dale-murphy-was-a-great-player-for-the-atlanta-braves/ http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/01/29/dale-murphy-was-a-great-player-for-the-atlanta-braves/#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:05:14 +0000 chinmusic http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/01/29/dale-murphy-was-a-great-player-for-the-atlanta-braves/ Righty swinging Dale Murphy was a great player for the Braves but he just missed playing on the good teams that they had. Murphy played 15 years for the Braves appearing in 1,926 games in which he was 1,901 for 7,098 (.268 avg, .829 OPS) with 1,103 runs scored, 371 homers, 1,143 RBIs and 160 stolen bases. Murphy was at his best during the 1982 and 1983 seasons when he won back to back MVP Awards in the N.L. Murphy played in 162 games for the Braves in 1982 and he was 168 for 598 (.281 avg, .885 OPS) with 113 runs scored, 36 homers, 109 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. He followed that up by playing in 162 games in 1983 in which he was 178 for 589 (.302 avg, .933 OPS) with 131 runs scored, 36 homers, 121 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. Murphy is all over the record books for the Braves. He is #4 all-time in Braves’ history in games played (1,926), #5 in hits (1,901), #6 in runs scored (1,103), #4 in homers (371) and #4 in RBIs (1,143). Despite being one of the best players in Braves’ history I just don’t think his overall numbers justify getting him to the Hall of Fame.

]]> http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/01/29/dale-murphy-was-a-great-player-for-the-atlanta-braves/feed/ The Atlanta Braves have their fingers crossed at 1B for 2010 http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/01/29/the-atlanta-braves-have-their-fingers-crossed-at-1b-for-2010/ http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/01/29/the-atlanta-braves-have-their-fingers-crossed-at-1b-for-2010/#comments Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:56:35 +0000 chinmusic http://www.braveslocker.com/2010/01/29/the-atlanta-braves-have-their-fingers-crossed-at-1b-for-2010/ The Braves went cheap at 1B allowing Adam LaRoche to leave as a free agent. They signed 33-year old righty swinging Troy Glaus to play 1B for them in 2010. There is a risk involved with Glaus as he missed most of last season with a bum shoulder. Glaus played in 14 games for the Cardinals last season and he was 5 for 29 (.172 avg, .491 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs. The Braves are thinking that if Glaus is healthy that he will provide stats like 78 runs scored, 30.5 homers and 90.5 RBIs which are his season averages between 2005-2008. Glaus is a natural 3B so he will have a lot of work to do defensively this spring as he adjusts to the other side of the baseball diamond. He didn’t make any errors in 2 games at 1B last season for the Cardinals.

32-year old lefty swinging Eric Hinske will spend most of his time in the outfield unless Glaus goes down to injury. He played in 6 games at 1B for the Yankees and Pirates last season and he didn’t make any errors. 26-year old righty swinging Martin Prado is the starting 2B this season for the Braves so don’t expect him to slide to 1B this year. He played in 28 games at 1B for the Braves last season and he only made 1 error.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 1B IN 2010: C-

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