Power lefty Alex Wood came up and pitched a solid ninth inning yesterday, touching 95 on the gun and retiring three Torontonians on seven pitches. Atlanta’s second-round pick in the 2012 draft, Wood is the first member of the Braves draft class to make the majors. So, who is he, and what can he do? … Continue reading “Alex Wood”
Category: Player Analysis
Because you’d hate to have two games in a row to start the season…
So, there’s no Braves baseball game today, because Selig. Which means there will be no “game thread” per se today. So, in lieu of that, here’s a link to the inaugural episode of the new Braves podcast that Alan Honeycutt and I are doing. We call it “The Circle Change” and we curse, overhype Evan … Continue reading “Because you’d hate to have two games in a row to start the season…”
J.R. Graham: I’m Trying Not to Sound Like Eeyore
J.R. Graham is certainly the Braves’ hottest prospect, and some analysts are even beginning to suggest that he might be the best. It’s been a stunning one-year ascent for the 23-year old right-hander, who was drafted in the 4th round in 2011, pitched well in rookie ball that year, and in 2012 moved from High-A … Continue reading “J.R. Graham: I’m Trying Not to Sound Like Eeyore”
Brandon Beachy (by Ububba)
On May 17, 2012, Brandon Beachy tossed a 122-pitch, complete-game shutout of the Miami Marlins at Turner Field. At that early point in the season, Beachy held a 5-1 record with a 1.33 ERA after eight starts. And, for hardcore Braves fans, his games had become must-see TV, as he mixed Glavine-like poise with consistent … Continue reading “Brandon Beachy (by Ububba)”
Chris Johnson
When the Braves traded their projected starting third baseman for Justin Upton, they needed to get an infielder back. So they got Chris Johnson, a 28-year old platoon third baseman. As of now, the plan appears to be a lefty-righty platoon of Johnson and Juan Francisco. We saw enough of Juan last year to know … Continue reading “Chris Johnson”
Justin Upton
Okay, I guess I’d better eat some crow. I didn’t think we’d get Upton, at least not during the offseason, because we didn’t have the prospects to match the rejected Mariners trade. And, of course, we didn’t have the prospects to match it. But boy, am I happy to be wrong. The Braves acquired a … Continue reading “Justin Upton”
Cory Gearrin (by Stu)
Taken by the Braves out of nearby Mercer University in the fourth round of the 2007 draft, Cory Gearrin made his big-league debut in 2011 and has jumped back and forth between Gwinnett and Atlanta ever since, generally dominating the minors with mixed results in the majors. Gearrin is a right-handed side-armer with a 57.1 … Continue reading “Cory Gearrin (by Stu)”
Cristhian Martinez (by Adam M.)
Cristhian Martinez is something of a forgotten man in the Braves bullpen. Sometimes it seems like his own manager forgets about him. Don’t get me wrong: Martinez, aptly nicknamed “The Lisp” by Mac a couple years ago, gets plenty of opportunities to pitch. Last season, his 73 2/3 innings in relief easily led the Braves: … Continue reading “Cristhian Martinez (by Adam M.)”
Jonny Venters (by Rob Cope)
Every organization has its strengths and weaknesses. One thing the Braves seem to do well: develop young, cheap bullpen arms. While other organizations pay a premium for setup relievers and closers — for the second straight offseason, the Red Sox have depleted their farm system to obtain a second-division closer — the Braves have been … Continue reading “Jonny Venters (by Rob Cope)”
Kris Medlen (by kc)
Ho, ho, ho, my Braves Journal friends, the holiday season is approaching. You’re saying you want something for Christmas? Aren’t you forgetting something? Santa is very sorry, but Santa already gave you your present on July 31. That was the day that Kris Medlen made his first start for the Braves. Medlen made a total … Continue reading “Kris Medlen (by kc)”