Tomahawk Talk

Braves #1 Pick Minor impresses in debut

2009-08-21T11:40:00.003-04:00

Braves 1st round pick Mike Minor pitched two perfect innings with two strikeouts last night in his Braves debut in Rome. Minor, known for his control, threw 16 of his 24 pitches for strikes and threw first pitch strikes to all six hitters he faced.

Minor is scheduled to make three more starts for Rome, then head for instructional league in Orlando in September. After that, he’s will throw in the Arizona Fall League.

Daily Heyward Update

2009-08-20T11:35:00.002-04:00

The MBraves won 6-2 last night, but didn't get any help from Jason Heyward. He went 0-4 last night with a walk and a K. JHey is now only hitting .171 in his last 10 games.

Season stats: (AA) .348/.436/.630, 12 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 1 SB, 21 BB, 16 K, 1.066 OPS

Prado gets some good news

2009-08-20T11:04:00.002-04:00

The Braves and second baseman Martin Prado received good news Wednesday when Prado was diagnosed with “exertional headaches” after being examined by Atlanta neurologist Richard Bernstein.

Prado will be treated with anti-inflammatory medication and is listed as day-to-day, pending the elimination of the symptoms. The Braves think he will avoid a stint on the disabled list.

Dave O'Brien - AJC

Great news here for Prado and the Braves. Hopefully he can get back in the lineup soon. I never thought I would say I have missed Martin Prado's bat in the lineup.

Daily Heyward Update

2009-08-19T13:00:00.002-04:00

Hopefully last night was a sign of JH breaking out of his mini slump. Heyward was only 1-5, but hit his 7th homer of the season in the M Braves 6-5 victory last night.

Season stats: (AA) .358/.443/.649, 12 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 1 SB, 20 BB, 15 K, 1.092 OPS

Daily Heyward Update

2009-08-18T15:20:00.002-04:00

Jason didn't have a good night last night. He went 0-4 with a K in the MBraves 4-1 loss. His mini slump continues.

Season stats: (AA) .364/.451/.643, 12 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 1 SB, 20 BB, 15 K, 1.094 OPS

Daily Heyward Update

2009-08-17T15:30:00.002-04:00

Jason Heyward has finally cooled off a bit. In his last four games he is 2-14 with no XBH. He has walked three times and only struck out twice though while adding two steals, one of which was a steal of home. None of this is very shocking since we knew he had to come back to earth at some point.

Season stats: (AA) .376/.463/.664, 12 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 1 SB, 20 BB, 14 K, 1.127 OPS

Rasmus runs hitless streak to 14 innings

2009-08-17T15:22:00.002-04:00

Cory has had two starts in a row now without giving up a hit. He tossed 5 more hitless innings on Sunday to extend his hitless innings streak to 14. He did however walk 4 and gave up 2 EARNED runs. Good to see Cory rounding back into form after all his injury problems.

Out with Old, In with the New? Change in Leadership.

2009-08-14T21:31:00.002-04:00

We all knew this time would come, when someone would come a long and take over the leadership role on the Braves. For so long, Chipper was/is still the leader but there is someone else stepping up and taking on that leadership role, that someone is 24 yr old, Brian McCann.

It became apparent right after the All Star Game, when he returned from the game and the Braves began the 2nd half, he called a players only meeting and got up and spoke to the team. Since that time, this team has gone on a roll.

Chipper has always been a silent leader, doing his talking with the bat but has stood up and talked to the team when it has been warranted. Brian is taking a different approach, he isn't afraid to step up and call those meetings and talk to the team, just not show it on the field. Here is a perfect example of being a team leader, Adam LaRoche and Brian showed up at Gwinnett to support Huddy. These two could have been doing other things but being leaders probably means supporting another team member who is doing rehab just to let them know they are still a part of the team and they aren't forgotten.

I think Matty Diaz said it in a comment to Dave O'Brien of ajc.com of Brian McCann. Diaz said, “I don’t think anyone would deny, McCann’s the leader of this team,” Diaz said. “Even though he’s a young guy, he’s our leader. At the position he’s in, catcher, it calls for it. He commands our pitching staff, even though most of them are older than him. And all of us as hitters respect what he’s able to do, day in and day out.”
He added: “To have a young leader like that in place, and go about his business the way he goes about his business, really helps the chemistry of our team.”

That speaks volumes that he has already commanded the respect of the hitters and the veteran pitchers.

When it is all said and done, we will have someone on this ball club who will be the vocal leader in the club house and out on the field for this young ball club. This team is going to be exciting over the next few years because one of the Baby Braves has decided to take over the leadership from Chipper when Chipper retires.

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2009/08/14/braves-vs-phillies-its-big/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog

Catching Fire at the Right Moment

2009-08-12T19:50:00.002-04:00

We all knew that the 7 game road trip to the West Coast was going to be very important for the Braves. Even if we came back home 4-3, that would have been a some what successful road trip considering we were playing the Padres and the ML Leading Dodgers. Who knew after Sunday's game that the Braves would return home with a 5-2 road record especially taking the last 3 from the Dodgers?

After losing a heart breaker on that Friday night, this team could have just packed it in. With no Chipper, Nate or Mac in the Saturday lineup, this team went out and played like it was the last game and it matter. They came back from 3 runs and won it on a GW HR by Kelly. Then came Sunday, again no Chipper or Nate, this team, who seems to have found that no matter who is in this lineup, they believe in themselves and each other, laid it on the Dodgers in the final inning to get Javy Vazquez the win.

We are now back in the friendly confines of Turner Field, still playing with the fire they caught out West. There is belief that they can make the playoffs and if they continue to play with this fire, they will make it.

They have this one last game against the Nats before a 3 game series before the Phillies, which could be very key to us. Phillies are struggling right now, we have to go at them and make them realize we are a team to be reckon with.

Rasmus tosses a no-no

2009-08-12T15:02:00.003-04:00

Former Braves first round pick(2006) Cory Rasmus threw a 7 inning no-hitter last night for Danville. Cory only walked one and struck out nine in the D-Braves 13-0 victory.

Quite a story since Cory(brother of Cards rook Colby) was only making his third start in the last 3 years. He missed the entire 2007 season and only tossed 5.2 innings last year because of shoulder surgery.

Daily Heyward Update

2009-08-12T15:01:00.001-04:00

The Mississippi Braves were rained out last night, so no JH update today.

Season stats: (AA) .405/.485/.730, 12 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 1 SB, 17 BB, 12 K, 1.215 OPS

Daily Heyward Update

2009-08-11T13:20:00.002-04:00

Jason went 1-4 with an RBI triple and a run scored last night in a 8-2 loss.

Season stats: (AA) .405/.485/.730, 12 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 24 RBI, 1 SB, 17 BB, 12 K, 1.215 OPS

Daily Heyward Update

2009-08-10T10:38:00.002-04:00

Had a busy weekend and missed the last few Heyward updates. Apparantly I missed some good ones because the kid just continues to rake. In his last three games he is 5-13 with 6 R, a double and 2 HR. One of his homers came yesterday on his 20th birthday. Most likely the last birthday he will celebrate in the minors.

Season stats: (AA) .411/.492/.729, 12 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 1 SB, 17 BB, 12 K, 1.221 OPS

The Play

2009-08-09T14:14:00.003-04:00

Braves sign 2009 1st Round pick

2009-08-06T15:47:00.002-04:00

The Braves have come to terms with their first round draft pick in the 2009 Draft. Lefty Mike Minor will receive a $2.42 million signing bonus, the largest signing bonus in franchise history for a drafted player and largest ever for a No. 7 pick in the annual June draft. The previous high was Jeff Francoeur at $2.2 million.

Minor will report immediately to Class A Rome and will most likely pitch this fall in the Arizona Fall League or the Braves instructional league in Florida.

In three seasons at Vanderbilt, Minor had a record of 22-10 with a 3,79 ERA.

I honestly thought we took Minor a bit higher than he should have gone in the draft in the first place. Obviously I think this bonus is also too high for a soft throwing lefty that is projected at best to be a middle to back of the rotation starter. I hope he doesn't become the next Chuck James.

Daily Heyward Update

2009-08-06T10:40:00.002-04:00

Heyward started in CF and was 1-4 last night in the M-Braves 6-3 loss.

Season stats: (AA) .415/.496/.702, 11 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 1 SB, 15 BB, 10 K, 1.198 OPS

Infante, Carlyle on the mend

2009-08-06T10:31:00.002-04:00

Omar and Buddy are both starting rehab assignments in class A Rome this week.

Infante, returning from a broken hand, went 1-for-3 with a walk in his first rehab game on Tuesday, and was 1-for-2 with a single and a flyout to the warning track through five innings Wednesday.

Buddy Carlyle pitched two scoreless innings (one hit, one strikeout) for Rome on Tuesday. He has missed two months while recovering first from a lower back strain, then a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes after losing 20 pounds.

We wish both of these guys a quick recovery.

Hanson wins in hometown debut

2009-08-06T10:12:00.002-04:00

The Braves hit Chad Gaudin early and often to give Tommy Hanson some quick run support. Hanson didn't need much though only allowing two runs on five hits in six innings in front of over 100 family members and friends in sunny San Diego.

McLouth and Chipper Jones each had 3 hits in their first 3 at bats to lead the Braves to an early 6-0 lead in the first 4 innings. That would be more than enough for super rookie Hanson. You could tell Tommy was juiced up at the start by walking two of the first 3 batters on 4 pitches. But he finally settled into a groove and shut down the hot hitting Pads even though he didn't pitch his best.

Ryan Church made his return to the Braves line-up after missing the last six games with a hyper-extended elbow. Church went 2-3 with 2 runs and a walk and also hosed Chase Headley as he tried to tag up and score from third base on a flyout in the fifth inning.

The Braves totaled 14 hits yesterday, all singles, and have 31 hits in their last two games. Hopefully that will carry over to their huge four game series against the Dodgers this weekend.

Daily Heyward Update

2009-08-05T13:17:00.003-04:00

Heyward was 2-3 with a HBP last night in the M-Braves 5-1 loss.

Season stats: (AA) .422/.505/.722, 11 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 1 SB, 15 BB, 10 K, 1.227 OPS

Braves bats wake up in 9-2 win

2009-08-05T11:08:00.002-04:00

Matt Diaz did something last night that no other Braves player has ever done in a baseball game, he grounded into THREE double plays. Of course he also hit a 2 run homer in the 6th to stretch a 1 run lead into a more comfortable 3 run lead, so I think we can forgive him. Diaz became the first Brave to ever have this dubious honor and the first player period since Scott Rolen in 2002.

The Braves tied a season high with 17 hits, 4 by new again Brave Adam LaRoche. LaRoche is now 8-for-13 with a double, homer and three walks since the trade. Prado(3 RBI) and Anderson(2RBI) also added to the hit parade with 3 hits each.

Unfortunatly Chipper and McCann continued their recent struggles going a combined 1-8 with 2 walks and 5 LOB. Good to see we can score runs even when they arent hitting. We are really gonna need them to come out of their funk if we want to gain some ground in the playoff race.

Braves struggling hitters

2009-08-04T20:05:00.002-04:00

This was taken from the AJC blog of David O'Brien:

In their past five games, they have more strikeouts (38) than hits (33).

Oh, yes. It is never a good thing to have more strikeouts than hits over any multiple-game stretch. But the Braves are whiffing up a storm, and it’s apparently contagious.
A few of them have been slumping or otherwise hacking-and-missing a lot lately:

– Nate McLouth has not been much of a sparkplug atop the order the past week or so. Dude is 7-for-32 (.219) with one double, one RBI, three walks and 10 strikeouts, and his leadoff OBP has slipped to 10th in the NL for the season.

– Matt Diaz. He’s 6-for-34 (.176) with no extra-base hits, one RBI, one walk and 10 strikeouts in his past 11 games. Yikes. And that diving attempted catch last night near the right-field line….

– Brian McCann. Yes, the All-Star catcher even struggles at times. In his past nine games, he’s 7-for-35 (.200) with three walks and nine strikeouts. He has a five doubles, two homers and five RBI in that span, so how, you might ask, can you say he’s struggling? Well, consider that four of those doubles, both homers and five RBI came in two games, the series finales at Milwaukee and Florida. In his other seven games during that stretch, he’s a combined 1-for-26 with one RBI and eight strikeouts. The Braves lost six of those seven games. As Mac goes, so goes the Braves? During this stretch, that’s been the case. He’s 0-for-8 with four strikeouts in his past three games, and the Braves lost them all.

– Garret Anderson. He was one of the Braves’ hottest hitters for a month or more, peaking with a .465 (20-for-43) burn for 12 games through July 29, during which he had four doubles, four homers and eight RBI. But he went from blazing to deep freeze overnight. Beginning July 30, he’s gone 1-for-20 with no RBI, no runs and one walk in his past five games, including 0-for-16 with no walks and three strikeouts in his past four games.

Teheran promoted to Rome

2009-08-04T16:25:00.002-04:00

Braves stud pitching prospect Julio Teheran was promoted today from Danville to Rome. Teheran was 2-1 with a 2.68 ERA in seven starts with Danville this season. In JTs last outing which was the best in his short career as a pro, he took a perfect game into the sixth and finished with eight innings of one-run ball, giving up two hits and one walk and striking out eleven.

Taking JTs roster spot in Danville is Edigson Mora. Mora was 2-0 with two saves in seven relief appearances with the GCL Braves. He carried a miniscule 0.95 ERA, allowing just two runs on six hits and two walks in 19 innings. He struck out 17. The right-hander was the DSL Braves Pitcher of the Year in 2008, going 6-5 with a 1.76 ERA and two saves.

http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3878796

Daily Heyward Update

2009-08-04T11:14:00.002-04:00

Jason started the Mississippi Braves double header in style yesterday. JH got the Braves on the board in the bottom of the first with a two out single, stole second and came around to score on an infield single by Concepcion Rodriguez. JH was removed later in the game with some dizzy spells from the heat, but did PH in the second game, so he appears to be fine.

On the day JH was 1-3 with a run a SB and a K.

Season stats:
(AA) .414/.495/.724, 11 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 1 SB, 15 BB, 10 K, 1.219 OPS

Frank Wren making changes

2009-08-03T19:20:00.002-04:00

Who would have thought that midway through the season the Braves would have a different look then when they started the season?

All Frank Wren did was make 3 trades, release a veteran and bring up the top pitching prospect in the organization in a month and half. It all started with the trade of Nate McLouth from the Pirates for 3 players. Nate gives us speed, power and a good glove in CF. Another good aspect of this deal, we have him for 3 yrs. Wren then turns around basically releases Tommy Glavine, only to bring up our top pitching prospect, Tommy Hanson. Who hasn't disappointed so far.

Then we began to see Frenchy sitting more and more, then came the deal, Frank trades Frenchy to the Mets for Ryan Church, who was in Jerry Manual's dog house. Many fans were happy, glad or whatever you want to call it, to see Frenchy go. Here a guy, who came up in the organization, a star in High School, yet struggled to find his swing the last two yrs but was making just under $4M and wanted to complain about being sent down and how it burned bridges between him and the organization who made him their #1 pick.

The last trade occured on last Friday, just before the deadline hit. To help the Red Sox acquire Victor Martinez, even now, I don't get this deal other than the more power aspect. We trade Casey Kotchman to the Red Sox for former now current Brave Adam LaRoche. Apparently the Red Sox think Kotchman will be a better bench player, which means he ain't getting much playing time while there.

As we have past the half way point of the season, this pitching staff is still intact and healthy, amazing to say the least considering last season, 4 of 5 were on the shelf with an injury. Knowing that whoever we put out there, we are going to get a quality start from them. Again, Brian McCann made his 4th straight All Star Team. Another change we have seen is Martin Prado basically take the starting job from Kelly Johnson. This occurred when KJ hit the DL, Prado just started to hit the daylights out of the ball and the Braves have gone on an offensive roll with the lineup they have.

Frank Wren did what he said he would do in the off season, get the pitching and now he is shoring up the offensive. Now can he shore up the bullpen or will one of the starters go into the bullpen with Huddy getting set to return? That is another thing, Huddy will be like another trade, him return from TJ surgery.

We will have to wait and see how that will play out but Frank has done a nice job of making this team competitive.

Starting Rotation

2009-04-12T09:00:00.002-04:00

I thought we would break down the starting rotation, relievers, infielders, outfielders and bench players. So we will start with our Starting Rotation.

In the 1st week, we have gotten seen our 1st 4 starters including Derek Lowe twice. I have been impressed with them.

Let's start with Derek Lowe. He is a guy, who wasn't even on our radar during the off season until we lost out on Jake Peavy and AJ Burnett then we didn't resign John Smoltz. Yes, we signed Derek to 4 yr deal @ $15M a yr. All Derek has done is pitched 11 innings and given up 1 run and struck out 11. Here is a guy who actually wanted to come to Atlanta and is anchoring our staff. Lowe has never been on the DL in his career. He pitches over 200 innings so we know he can pitch deep into games.

Then we have Jair Jurrjens. What can we say about this young kid? We got him in a trade from Detroit, which was consider, imo, highway robbery. He was projected to be a #5 starter for us last season. All Jair did was pitch 188 plus innings and turned out to the "ace" of the staff due to injuries to the other starters including Hudson. He came in 3rd in the Rookie of the Year voting. With the acquistitions of Lowe, Vazquez and Kawakami, Jair won't have to be the Ace, he can just settle in and be our #3 guy. Jair missed one start last season due to spraining an ankle, so we know he is durable.

Javier Vazquez is someone we acquired in a trade from the White Sox. Vazquez has wanted to pitch for the Braves for a while. Here is another guy who has never been on the DL, pitches 200 plus innings a yr and strikes out over 200. Granted his ERA is over 4.00 but with a change of scenery and manager, might help him. Vazquez pitched in the WBC for Puerto Rico and he looked good. Knowing what Vazquez brings to the table, the Braves can expect him to go deep into game.

Kenshin Kawakami, also known as Double K in my book. He is the 1st Japanese player to play for the Braves. Just from the video I have seen of him pitch, he has some movement of his pitches. I will have to wait til I have seen him pitch a few times to make a better judgment.

Then we have Tommy Glavine. He is returning from arm surgery. As we all know about Glavine, he doesn't have velocity on his pitches but he has movement on his pitches. I don't think that will change. Tommy isn't schedule to take the mound until April 19th. This will be the 1st time the Braves will need the 5th starter, which will be the 1st time Tommy will make a start. This has given Glavine more time to rehab his arm. That might be more of a blessing then anyone will know.

I am tossing an extra starter in there because sometime this yr, this one is going to be in Atlanta. Tommy Hanson is a stud. He is down at Triple A Gwinnett right now but this kid is nothing but a stud, imo. If we have an injury to any of our starter, he is getting a call up ASAP. He throws 96 to 99 MPH on the gun for his fastball and has great movement on his other pitches. He is mature beyond his yrs. The Braves brass knows he is ready to pitch in Atlanta know but they don't want to rush him, which is probably a very good plan. I can't wait to see him in Atlanta.

Then we have Tim Hudson who is recovering from TJ surgery. He is on schedule to return to the Braves in late July or early August. He has an option for 2010, whether the Braves pick it up is up in the air. From what I read on this injury for Huddy, he got hurt in the 2nd inning of the game with the Marlins, pitched til the 5th inning when he felt the tightness and got pulled. It was then discovered he injured the area that requires TJ surgery.

Talk about having a supply of starting pitching that is good or special. The Braves have it and other teams want it, especially Tommy Hanson and Frank Wren is not letting him go as witnessed by telling Kevin Towers Tommy Hanson was not available. Wren also let Hanson know he wasn't going anywhere.

It is going to be an exciting season to watch the 3 new starters Frank Wren went out and signed. Wren said starting pitching was one of the things he was going to improve on and he did so.

I will say, so far so good. Our starters have given a good account of themselves in this 1st week of the season.