Spring Training Thread

[The Chosen One]

Henry Blanco was the last Braves catcher that I thought was a true plus shutting down baserunners.

It wasn't Brayan Pena?

[msstate7]

A's have decided that Pache is not going to make the team and are exploring trade options.

Are they just gonna give him away?

[msstate7]

Zips projects drew waters at 1.8 fWAR (99 wRC+). Certainly nothing spectacular, but that's more than all of Hilliard, ozuna, and Rosario combined using zips. Is drew the first position guy we moved on when we shouldn't have? Be interesting to follow

[chop2chip]

It wasn't Brayan Pena?

Just checked the stats.. he threw out 6 baserunners on his 3 years with the Braves

[Bluedevilruss]

They showing a little respect to TDA - and Max probably more comfortable with him…..

When’s the last time we had two catchers who could actually hit on the same team? This is awesome.

Gattis/McCann? Flowzuki? We’ve had lots of good hitting catcher combos. McCann/Ross was really good too.

[Bluedevilruss]

Zips projects drew waters at 1.8 fWAR (99 wRC+). Certainly nothing spectacular, but that's more than all of Hilliard, ozuna, and Rosario combined using zips. Is drew the first position guy we moved on when we shouldn't have? Be interesting to follow

What’d we get for him?

[zbhargrove]

What’d we get for him?

Pretty sure we just got cash for him

[zbhargrove]

They showing a little respect to TDA - and Max probably more comfortable with him…..

When’s the last time we had two catchers who could actually hit on the same team? This is awesome.

Last year

[zbhargrove]

A's have decided that Pache is not going to make the team and are exploring trade options.

The A’s have just awful decisions makers right now. What a joke of an organization

[MadduxFanII]

The Braves actually have a really impressive string of solid offensive catchers dating back 30 years or so to Javy's debut. There were some down years in there, but it's mostly been a bunch of guys who can hit.

[bravesfanMatt]

What’d we get for him?

JR Ritchie in last years draft.

[CJ9]

Zips projects drew waters at 1.8 fWAR (99 wRC+). Certainly nothing spectacular, but that's more than all of Hilliard, ozuna, and Rosario combined using zips. Is drew the first position guy we moved on when we shouldn't have? Be interesting to follow

I'm not sure those projections are proof that we shouldn't have moved on. We got basically an extra first round pick for him - I think that's more valuable than a defense first CF who has crazy strikeout problems.

[zbhargrove]

JR Ritchie in last years draft.

That’s right. For some reason I thought it was just cash. Well I really like Ritchie so I’m happy with that

[50PoundHead]

There were two other guys who went to the Royals in the deal: 3B/1B C.J. Alexander and RHP Andrew Hoffman. I still think Waters profiles as a decent 4th OF or maybe a little more. His K-rate needs to come down to fit the rest of his offensive profile

Ritchie is a good return. Our pitching depth in the lower minors was atrocious and needed upgrading and Ritchie should help with that. My guess is he starts at Augusta this year.

[thewupk]

Gattis/McCann? Flowzuki? We’ve had lots of good hitting catcher combos. McCann/Ross was really good too.

Yeah....Braves have had good hitting catchers ever since Javy came up. Looked it up and since 95 Braves catchers have a 102 WRC+. Second to only the Dodgers (105) in that span. It's just a position we have done remarkedly well at.

[Hulavol]

Last year?

Fair call… but I meant actual, you know, legit catchers.

[Hulavol]

Gattis/McCann? Flowzuki? We’ve had lots of good hitting catcher combos. McCann/Ross was really good too.

I’m gonna go crawl back under my bad now.
How I didn’t think of these …..

[thewupk]

I’m gonna go crawl back under my bad now.
How I didn’t think of these …..

It happens. It's spring training for the fans too

[chop2chip]

Yeah....Braves have had good hitting catchers ever since Javy came up. Looked it up and since 95 Braves catchers have a 102 WRC+. Second to only the Dodgers (105) in that span. It's just a position we have done remarkedly well at.

Dodgers had Piazza, LoDuca, Martin, Gomes and Smith in that timeline. The fact we are close to that is pretty amazing.

[striker42]

Dodgers had Piazza, LoDuca, Martin, Gomes and Smith in that timeline. The fact we are close to that is pretty amazing.

I still bristle with loathing at the mention of the name Piazza.