2014 Atlanta Braves Season Thread

[GamecockGuardsman]

The Braves has played their best baseball this year during this streak. What they are doing with the injuries they have is amazing. Hopefully they can keep it up but I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of slumps. This is a playoff team but I don't see them making it deep unless they can make some moves before the trade deadline (which they never do).

[GamecockGuardsman]

I know one thing...the Braves have some good young talent. Shae Simmons, La Stella, and Bethancourt has really stepped in and produced. I think Alex Wood will be a good 4 or 5 starter one day. I think he still has some work to do but has done a decent job so far. Some players to watch in their farm system is Lucas Sims, Jose Peraza, Jason Hurst, and Kyle Wren. I saw Sims pitch in person (when he was at Rome) @ Asheville last year. Pitched pretty decent but still think he is about 2 years away from making a impact. Same goes with Peraza. He doesn't have much power but is a good fielder and good contact hitter.

The problem with having good prospects like Peraza and Bethancourt is that the Braves already have solid starters at the positions they play. Peraza is a SS/2B, but don't see him bumping Simmons or La Stella unless they are injured. I also don't see Bethancourt bumping Gattis in the near future. So, with all of that talent does the Braves keep them in the minors for a few years or do they look to trade them for other talent that they may not be strong in?

[COCKDIESEL]

Originally Posted by GamecockGuardsman

I know one thing...the Braves have some good young talent. Shae Simmons, La Stella, and Bethancourt has really stepped in and produced. I think Alex Wood will be a good 4 or 5 starter one day. I think he still has some work to do but has done a decent job so far. Some players to watch in their farm system is Lucas Sims, Jose Peraza, Jason Hurst, and Kyle Wren. I saw Sims pitch in person (when he was at Rome) @ Asheville last year. Pitched pretty decent but still think he is about 2 years away from making a impact. Same goes with Peraza. He doesn't have much power but is a good fielder and good contact hitter.

The problem with having good prospects like Peraza and Bethancourt is that the Braves already have solid starters at the positions they play. Peraza is a SS/2B, but don't see him bumping Simmons or La Stella unless they are injured. I also don't see Bethancourt bumping Gattis in the near future. So, with all of that talent does the Braves keep them in the minors for a few years or do they look to trade them for other talent that they may not be strong in?

The thing about La Stella is that I heard someone say he is a little older than most rookies. Which makes Peraza a better long term option if he and La Stella are close in ability. Is say we should make a trade for Houston's 2b Altuve but as soon as he put on a Braves uni his avg would hit the toilet and he'd start making errors.

[GamecockGuardsman]

Originally Posted by COCKDIESEL

The thing about La Stella is that I heard someone say he is a little older than most rookies. Which makes Peraza a better long term option if he and La Stella are close in ability. Is say we should make a trade for Houston's 2b Altuve but as soon as he put on a Braves uni his avg would hit the toilet and he'd start making errors.

Altuve would be a great addition but I think the Braves would have to send more value in a deal. Altuve is leading the Astros in AVG, OPS, and Hits but then again it is the Astros. I think it would take sending maybe two to get him. Like you said, his AVG would prob. take a dump.

I would like to see the Braves get a CF or a 3B. B.J. has hit the ball a little better in the last couple of weeks but I just don't see his AVG jumping past .225 or .230. We are prob. stuck with him b/c of his contract but I think it is time to find another solution to CF. Also, I'm still not completely sold on Chris Johnson. I think the Braves jumped the gun on signing him to a 3 year extension. His not a bad hitter (when he actually hits the ball) but I think the Braves prob. could get some value out of him. Finally, the starting pitching. Floyd is injury prone, Santana is up and down and Harang is in the same boat as Santana. They have been just getting by but I think for the Braves to make a big playoff push...they need to find a pitcher or two that is a little more consistent.

[GamecockGuardsman]

Originally Posted by COCKDIESEL

The thing about La Stella is that I heard someone say he is a little older than most rookies. Which makes Peraza a better long term option if he and La Stella are close in ability. Is say we should make a trade for Houston's 2b Altuve but as soon as he put on a Braves uni his avg would hit the toilet and he'd start making errors.

La Stella is only 25. A little older compared to some of the other prospects but I believe his is at the age where he needs to show if he is going to make a impact.

[markymark550]

Originally Posted by M.C.

After this winning streak we will probably lose about 5 in a row lol that's how it usually happens

Didn't start today!

[markymark550]

Peraza is a good prospect. He's probably the guy in the minors that could develop into the prototypical leadoff hitter. He's still a couple of years away from being ready though. Heard the organization has been thinking of moving him to third base if La Stella winds up sticking.

[GamecockGuardsman]

Braves going to 10 in a row right now!

Nationals leading Cubs 1-0 in the bottom of the first. Those jokers will not go away.

[aftertwobowls]

Vote for Justin Upton on the All Star Final Vote, or text N5 to 89269. You can also download an app like Text Voter on your smart phone and send 100 votes at a time. It looks like we're teaming up with the Angels too this year, so text A4 to vote for Garrett Richards.

Edit: Actually here's one of the rules this year: "Ballots generated by a script, macro or other mechanical or automated means will be disqualified. MLB Advanced Media, L.P. will validate all ballots cast, and reserves the right to invalidate any such ballot in its discretion. The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball will have final decision on all balloting matters. All votes are final." So sending mass texts using apps won't count, but you can still use them to send one vote at a time. It's quicker than typing N5 every text.

[AtlGamecock3307]

What ever happened to Edward salcedo sp? Didn't pan out?

[markymark550]

Originally Posted by AtlGamecock3307

What ever happened to Edward salcedo sp? Didn't pan out?

Still in the minors, at Gwinnett this year. He's got the raw power that teams want, but he's had a pretty rough time at the plate this year hitting in the BJ Upton low .200s range. Reports say he's also still pretty raw defensively and might be a candidate to be moved to leftfield. I'd guess maybe another year or so to develop, barring any major injuries to CJ. He's still only 22, about to turn 23, so he's still got a little time before you can say he hasn't panned out.

[carolinafan53186]

I wouldn't be upset if we don't see avilan anymore

[aftertwobowls]

Originally Posted by carolinafan53186

I wouldn't be upset if we don't see avilan anymore

We need some more left handed relief pitching though, but I hear you.

[carolinafan53186]

I don't know if they are going to make a big move for a CF or SP but I could see them making some bullpen moves.

[markymark550]

We usually make a move or two before the deadline, so I'm expecting something. I would bet any moves made are for lefty relievers.

As long as Harang doesn't completely implode, I think we'll stand pat with the starting rotation. I think that the price for some of the starters available will be too much. Might make a move to add a better bench bat, but don't see any big trades for position players either...unless some team out there is desperate for a 2b that hits in the .160 - .170 range.

[markymark550]

Julio's not with his best stuff tonight.

[aftertwobowls]

Originally Posted by markymark550

Julio's not with his best stuff tonight.

Hanging everything..

[M.C.]

Lol knew this would happen

[Cockypantherfan]

Here's the losing streak...

[GamecockGuardsman]

Originally Posted by M.C.

After this winning streak we will probably lose about 5 in a row lol that's how it usually happens

Good call....only two games away