Spring Training Gamethread/Discussion

[BremanFan88]

Heyward, RF
La Stella, 2B
Freeman, F, 1B
Gattis, C
Johnson, C, 3B
Uggla, DH
Simmons, A, SS
Terdoslavich, LF
Constanza, CF
Beachy P

[Braves1976]

1-0 Braves after first, Braves scored on a bases loaded walk by Uggla.

[BremanFan88]

Bases loaded with no outs turned to bases loaded two outs until Uggla took one of those base on balls to drive in the first run of the game.

[Braves1976]

Bases loaded with no outs turned to bases loaded two outs until Uggla took one of those base on balls to drive in the first run of the game.

True, but the only hit was an infield hit. Harrell's issue was not throwing strikes. Plus CJ had a bad strike three call go against him according to the announcers.

[stpeteirish]

Beachy didn't make it out of inning two. Gave up 5 hits in 1 2/3.

[Julio3000]

Peter Moylan in for the 'Stros.

[Dalyn]

1-0 Braves after first, Braves scored on a bases loaded walk by Uggla.

[AUTiger7222]

Dan Uggla has a perfect spring going. 2-for-2 on Wed. and tonight he's got 2 walks (one with bases loaded) and a sac fly.

[AUTiger7222]

Todd Cunningham hit a homerun. I'm really hoping he can land that last OF job away from Jordan Schafer.

[chopdrew]

If nothing else, Uggla appears to be seeing the ball much better.

[rico43]

Breaking down the box:

Does Schafer have to worry about Cunningham? I'd say definitely, based on the first three games. Schafer can't make contact, while Cunningham today was 2-for-2 with a homer, a walk, a stolen base and an outfield assist. He's also worked out at second and third.

Uggla had two walks and a sac fly and is still perfect this spring. La Stella 1-for-3 with a walk.

Freeman 2-for-2 with a double, walk and RBI. He's ready.

How about JoeyT? three walks, stolen base today, run scored. played both left and right.

Two pitching concerns on which many things hinge: Beachy unable to make it through two innings, allowing five hits (two runs, earned) with a walk and a strikeout.
Graham (uh-oh) unable to finish one inning, three hits, walk, two runs
Walden (uh-oh) two hits, two runs in one inning (walk, two doubles)
PLUS: Ian Thomas strikes out the side in his inning. Kimbrel one hit, two Ks in his middle inning appearance. Cory Gearrin also perfect coming in to bail out Beachy.

[zitothebrave]

Personally I'm not sold on Schafer, I know people are high on him because of his hot streak last year, but I think he's at best a mediocre bench player. If we can spin him to someone to save 500K and put that on a reliever I'd gladly do that.

I like Cunningham, if I had total control over the team and options weren't a factor he'd be starting out in thebigs with Schafer in the minors. They may both make the team though. JMO it's a battle between Pastor and Cunningham as long as they don't choke for th elast bench spot.

[AUTiger7222]

Breaking down the box:

Does Schafer have to worry about Cunningham? I'd say definitely, based on the first three games. Schafer can't make contact, while Cunningham today was 2-for-2 with a homer, a walk, a stolen base and an outfield assist. He's also worked out at second and third.

Uggla had two walks and a sac fly and is still perfect this spring. La Stella 1-for-3 with a walk.

Freeman 2-for-2 with a double, walk and RBI. He's ready.

How about JoeyT? three walks, stolen base today, run scored. played both left and right.

Two pitching concerns on which many things hinge: Beachy unable to make it through two innings, allowing five hits (two runs, earned) with a walk and a strikeout.
Graham (uh-oh) unable to finish one inning, three hits, walk, two runs
Walden (uh-oh) two hits, two runs in one inning (walk, two doubles)
PLUS: Ian Thomas strikes out the side in his inning. Kimbrel one hit, two Ks in his middle inning appearance. Cory Gearrin also perfect coming in to bail out Beachy.

I think it's far too early to worry about guys who were making their first appearance of the spring. If it's March 20th and Beachy and Walden are still struggling then I'll start to get concerned, but not before that time.

[AUTiger7222]

Personally I'm not sold on Schafer, I know people are high on him because of his hot streak last year, but I think he's at best a mediocre bench player. If we can spin him to someone to save 500K and put that on a reliever I'd gladly do that.

I like Cunningham, if I had total control over the team and options weren't a factor he'd be starting out in thebigs with Schafer in the minors. They may both make the team though. JMO it's a battle between Pastor and Cunningham as long as they don't choke for th elast bench spot.

Schafer was terrible after that ankle injury. He went back to being the guy the Braves and Astros both got rid of.

.176/.252/.213 (.465) - 121 PA, 108 AB, 10 R, 19 H, 2 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 11 BB, 38 SO, 13 SB, 3 CS

And remember we could have benefited from him doing good after Heyward got hit in the face. But Schafer got to start a lot when Heyward was out and did nothing.

[Heyward]

Dan Uggla has a perfect spring going. 2-for-2 on Wed. and tonight he's got 2 walks (one with bases loaded) and a sac fly.

Time to trade him.

[Heyward]

Personally I'm not sold on Schafer, I know people are high on him because of his hot streak last year, but I think he's at best a mediocre bench player. If we can spin him to someone to save 500K and put that on a reliever I'd gladly do that.

I like Cunningham, if I had total control over the team and options weren't a factor he'd be starting out in thebigs with Schafer in the minors. They may both make the team though. JMO it's a battle between Pastor and Cunningham as long as they don't choke for th elast bench spot.

Bench will be, this i think..

Pena
Laird
Doumit

2 of Schafer/Terdo/Cunnigham/Lastella.

[AUTiger7222]

Bench will be, this i think..

Pena
Laird
Doumit

2 of Schafer/Terdo/Cunnigham/Lastella.

I would carry Laird, Doumit, Pena, Pastornicky and Cunningham on my bench. I would choose Terdoslavich but he and Doumit are redundant players. Pastor can play anywhere in a pinch so he gets the leg up in my book.

[BremanFan88]

La Stella with a hit and a walk. Pretty typical game for him.

[clvclv]

Breaking down the box:

Does Schafer have to worry about Cunningham? I'd say definitely, based on the first three games. Schafer can't make contact, while Cunningham today was 2-for-2 with a homer, a walk, a stolen base and an outfield assist. He's also worked out at second and third.

Uggla had two walks and a sac fly and is still perfect this spring. La Stella 1-for-3 with a walk.

Freeman 2-for-2 with a double, walk and RBI. He's ready.

How about JoeyT? three walks, stolen base today, run scored. played both left and right.

Two pitching concerns on which many things hinge: Beachy unable to make it through two innings, allowing five hits (two runs, earned) with a walk and a strikeout.
Graham (uh-oh) unable to finish one inning, three hits, walk, two runs
Walden (uh-oh) two hits, two runs in one inning (walk, two doubles)
PLUS: Ian Thomas strikes out the side in his inning. Kimbrel one hit, two Ks in his middle inning appearance. Cory Gearrin also perfect coming in to bail out Beachy.

Uh-ohs following first appearances? Seriously???

Most guys are doing very little other than working on fastball location and are on strict pitch counts at this point. Chris Sale didn't make it out of the third against the Dodgers yesterday. The difference? Location. Sale got through 2.2 innings on 42 pitches.

I'll start to worry if any of our starters are struggling in 2 weeks or so. I don't ever look at results before they get up to the 80 pitch range.

[clvclv]

I would carry Laird, Doumit, Pena, Pastornicky and Cunningham on my bench. I would choose Terdoslavich but he and Doumit are redundant players. Pastor can play anywhere in a pinch so he gets the leg up in my book.

Personally have to think the "ideal" bench would be...

Laird
Doumit
Pena
Cunningham
Terdoslavich

Of course that's assuming Cunningham proves remotely adequate at 2B or 3B.

Laird - C/PH
Doumit - PH/RF/C/1B
Pena - PH/2B/3B/SS
Cunningham - PH/CF/LF/RF/2B/3B
Terdoslavich - PH/LF/RF/1B/3B (in a pinch)

Having three switch-hitters on the bench would be awesome - possibly an even bigger advantage than having three lefties in the pen or three Cs on the roster IMO.